Murder Rap

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"Murder Rap"
Single by Above the Law
from the album Livin' Like Hustlers
Released February 8, 1990[1]
Format 12-inch single, CD single
Recorded 1989
Genre West Coast hip hop, G-Funk
Label Ruthless Records, Epic Records
Writer(s) Cold 187um, Dr. Dre, Go Mack, Laylaw, Total Kaos[2]
Producer(s) Dr. Dre, Eazy-E & Laylaw
Above the Law singles chronology

"Murder Rap"
(1990)		 "Untouchable"
(1990)

Murder Rap is a song by American gangsta rap group Above the Law, released as a single on February 8, 1990.[1] It was written by Cold 187um, Dr. Dre, Go Mack, Laylaw and Total Kaos.[2]

Music and lyrics

The music of "Murder Rap", as produced by Dr. Dre, consists of an ominous siren sound, and backwards, looped drum beats.[3] Allmusic's Alex Henderson says that the song's lyrics "let listeners know exactly what life in South Central was like."[4]

Reception

In his Allmusic review, Alex Henderson wrote that "The imaginative Dre's input as a producer is consistently beneficial", saying that the music "comes alive" as a result of Dr. Dre's input.[4] Regarding Above the Law's lyrical content, Henderson wrote, "the Angelenos had some freshness."[4] A review of the song by Frank Owen in Spin praised Dr. Dre's production, saying that the producer "has a remarkable talent for making noise funky, and he shows it to great effect".[5] However, Owen criticized Above the Law as lyricists, writing, "they present this hardcore life without any of the dandy charm that Big Daddy Kane or Oran 'Juice' Jones bring to it."[5] Vibe praised the song as "a breathtaking assembly", complimenting the music and Cold 187um's raps.[3]

Legacy

In 1998, the song was included on the compilation Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary: Decade of Game.[2] In 2002, Insane Clown Posse released a cover of the song on their album The Wraith: Shangri-La.[6] This version of the song appeared as the B-side of ICP's single "Hell's Forecast". In 2006, ICP's cover was remixed for The Wraith: Remix Albums by Filthee Immigrants.[6] Insane Clown Posse's cover of the song led to a professional relationship between ICP and Cold 187um, and he later signed to Psychopathic Records as a solo rapper.[7]

Track listing

  1. "Murder Rap"
  2. "Murder Rap" (Instrumental)
  3. "Another Execution"
  4. "Another Execution" (Instrumental)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.allmusic.com/album/murder-rap-mw0001076589
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.allmusic.com/song/murder-rap-mt0011964240
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://books.google.com/books?id=lyYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76&dq=above+the+law+murder+rap&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-2KRULKDO-qe2QXLqYDgAQ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=above%20the%20law%20murder%20rap&f=false
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.allmusic.com/album/livin-like-hustlers-mw0000204000
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://books.google.com/books?id=v28LuIZchkEC&pg=PA84&dq=above+the+law+murder+rap&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-2KRULKDO-qe2QXLqYDgAQ&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=above%20the%20law%20murder%20rap&f=false
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.allmusic.com/song/murder-rap-mt0013120473
  7. ↑ http://vimeo.com/38710769
Above the Law
  • Cold 187um
  • DJ Total K-Oss
  • KMG the Illustrator
  • Go Mack
Studio albums
Extended plays
Notable songs
Related articles
Insane Clown Posse singles discography
Carnival of Carnage
  • "Psychopathic"
Ringmaster
Riddle Box
The Great Milenko
The Amazing Jeckel Brothers
Bizzar
Bizaar
  • "Tilt-A-Whirl"
The Wraith: Shangri-La
Hell's Pit
The Tempest
  • "I Do This!"
  • "The Tower"
Bang! Pow! Boom!
  • "The Bone"
  • "In Yo Face"
  • "Miracles"
  • "Juggalo Island"
  • "Fonz Pond"
  • "It's All Over"
The Mighty Death Pop!
  • "Chris Benoit"
  • "Night of the Chainsaw"
  • "Hate Her To Death"
  • "Where's God?"
  • "Forever"
Smothered, Covered & Chunked
Other singles
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