Judgement Day is the second studio album by Esham. On June 6, 2006, a Judgement Day box set was released, containing both original volumes and previously unreleased material.
Production
Reel Life Productions founder and Esham's brother James Smith decided that Esham should record a double album following the release of Prince's Love Symbol Album. Smith thought that if an R&B artist could record a double album, a rapper should record a double album.[1] However, it is not the first double album in hip hop, as previously DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, which was a double album in its original vinyl configuration.
Music
While the lyrical content of Judgement Day is similar to that of Esham's debut, Boomin' Words from Hell, the music features a heavier use of rock samples.[2] The album's rock-based sound influenced rap rock artists such as Kid Rock.[2]
Release history
Judgement Day was released separately in two volumes, Day and Night, on April 9, 1992.[3] On June 6, 2006, a Judgement Day box set was released, featuring both original volumes remastered, two volumes of previously unreleased material, the exclusive album Martyr City, an illustrated booklet with a short autobiography written by Esham detailing the days of the original Judgement Day release as well as a background story for Martyr City, a live concert DVD, deluxe packaging and a Certificate of Authenticity.[4][5]
Reception
Allmusic's Jason Birchmeier wrote that Judgement Day, Vol. 1 "may not be his most well-crafted work, but it certainly stands as his most inspired work of the '90s",[3] while Vol. 2 "isn't quite as strong as the first volume, suffering mostly from a number of weak tracks [...] the first volume doesn't rely quite so much on cheap shock, instead focusing on evocative horror motifs, making Judgement Day, Vol. 2 the less important of the two."[3]
Track listing
Professional ratings |
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Review scores |
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Source | Rating |
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Allmusic | Vol. 1: [3] |
1. |
"Nine Dead Bodies" |
2:15 |
2. |
"The Boogieman" |
1:58 |
3. |
"How Do I Plead to Homicide" |
3:54 |
4. |
"I'd Rather Be Dead" |
2:50 |
5. |
"Momma Was a Junkie" |
4:05 |
6. |
"Once You Go Black" |
4:30 |
7. |
"Makin' More Music" |
3:15 |
8. |
"Hit and Run" |
2:51 |
9. |
"Thinking to Myself" |
2:27 |
10. |
"Fallen Angel" |
3:19 |
11. |
"I Met This Little Girlie" |
3:13 |
12. |
"Acid" |
3:30 |
13. |
"Devilish Mood" |
2:27 |
14. |
"My Last Words" |
3:12 |
15. |
"Losin My Religion" |
1:55 |
Total length: |
46:26 |
Professional ratings |
---|
Review scores |
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Source | Rating |
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Allmusic | Vol. 2 [3] |
1. |
"Judgement Day" |
3:29 |
2. |
"Living in Incest"" |
3:37 |
3. |
"Play Dead"" |
2:43 |
4. |
"13 Ways" |
3:26 |
5. |
"Finger in the Cake Mix" |
4:12 |
6. |
"The Devil Gets Funky" |
3:38 |
7. |
"Crib Death" |
2:07 |
8. |
"Dead By Day" |
2:00 |
9. |
"Wake the Dead" |
3:57 |
10. |
"Dumb Bitch" |
1:31 |
11. |
"U Wanna Know Somethin" |
1:18 |
12. |
"Hoe Role" |
3:41 |
13. |
"Dyin to Be Down" |
3:23 |
14. |
"Sell Me Yo Soul" |
3:53 |
15. |
"We Got Some Nonbelievers" |
2:18 |
Total length: |
46:04 |
1. |
"The Devil's in Da House" |
3:19 |
2. |
"How Much is Ya Life Worth" |
4:18 |
3. |
"Preacherz Daughter" |
2:39 |
4. |
"Deathwish" |
4:38 |
5. |
"Memories of Abuse" |
3:06 |
6. |
"Nice with my Hands" |
3:41 |
7. |
"Original 24/7" |
3:46 |
8. |
"Save the Drama 4 Ya Mama" |
2:44 |
9. |
"Fucked Up in the Head" (feat. T-N-T) |
3:38 |
10. |
"Hold on Tight" |
2:54 |
11. |
"Would U Die 4 Me" |
2:36 |
12. |
"Suck My Dick" |
1:10 |
13. |
"Jokers Wild" |
4:58 |
14. |
"Listen 2 a Deadman Speak" |
5:01 |
15. |
"Toejam" |
2:57 |
16. |
"Pussycat" |
4:15 |
17. |
"Bloody Mary" |
3:26 |
18. |
"Just Another Pretty Face" |
3:06 |
1. |
"Unbelievable" |
3:00 |
2. |
"2 A Funky Azz Beat" |
4:07 |
3. |
"Freakbone" |
3:34 |
4. |
"All My Friends Are Dead" |
3:49 |
5. |
"Talk Dirty to Em" |
2:15 |
6. |
"Youz A Bitch" |
3:03 |
7. |
"Unholy Rock & Roll" |
3:48 |
8. |
"Heartburn" |
2:16 |
9. |
"Where U From Fool" |
2:47 |
10. |
"Erotic Poetry 3" |
3:33 |
11. |
"Gimmy My" |
2:44 |
12. |
"Nappy Head" |
3:06 |
13. |
"Shitlist" |
3:25 |
14. |
"When I Say Bitch" |
4:26 |
15. |
"Don't Need Ya Hoe" |
4:24 |
16. |
"'89 Freestyle" |
3:18 |
17. |
"'91 Osborn H.S. Talent Show" |
3:04 |
18. |
"Soopamack" |
5:11 |
19. |
"Keep On Twerkin" |
5:29 |
20. |
"Musical Madness" |
5:41 |
1. |
"Intro" |
1:52 |
2. |
"Hate Me" |
1:46 |
3. |
"Here Comes the Antichrist" |
3:00 |
4. |
"My Life" |
3:58 |
5. |
"Workin' for the Devil" |
3:40 |
6. |
"Detroit Stand Up" |
2:43 |
7. |
"Get Guap" |
3:19 |
8. |
"Cocaine" |
|
9. |
"What Up Doe" (feat. Doc "Hollywood" Hustle) |
5:18 |
10. |
"Automatic" |
5:15 |
11. |
"Fuck Y’all" |
3:28 |
12. |
"E-S-H-A-M (Every Shooter Has A Motive)" |
2:42 |
13. |
"Understanding" |
4:21 |
14. |
"Martyr City" |
2:42 |
References
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