Review Summary: Great album.
Critical Reception:
Allmusic: 3/5
Robert Christagu: A-
Entertainment Weekly: B+
Rapreviews: 9/10
Rolling Stone: 3/5
The Source: 4.5 Mics
Most of you guys already know how I feel about KRS-One, so I'll skip the general introduction. With a title such as "Sex and Violence", you would expect KRS-One to sellout from his socially conscious persona, and go gangsta, and lose his touch that made him so popular with the hip hop fans. Well, if you DID expect that, you couldn't expect more wrong, because KRS-One is still amazing like before this album. However, he sometimes DOES sellout to that kind of thing on this album, for various reasons.
The first song is called "The Original Way", and features Freddie Foxxx and Kid Capri. This song has KRS-One and the other two emcees spitting dope verses. Great song. (4.5/5)
"Duck Down" from KRS-One's unavoidable poisonous verbal attack (you may get hit with his flow), with "Duck Down". This song has KRS-One showing off his lyrical dexterity, and also how great he is at battling. Great song. (4.5/5)
The next song is called "Drug Dealer". This song has KRS-One rhyming about drug dealing, the history of it, and how race has had a part of it. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Like a Throttle". This song has KRS-One rhyming about how other rappers are "holding his d**k like a throttle", and how much skill he has. Great song. (4/5)
The next song is called "Build and Destroy", and features Kenny Parker and Willie D (yes, the one from the Geto Boys). This song has KRS-One rhyming about humanity, and other things that KRS-One is into. Great song. (4/5)
The next song is called "Ruff Ruff", and features Freddie Foxxx. This song has KRS-One and Freddie Foxxx rhyming about being gangsta. Great song. (4/5)
The next song is called "13 and Good", and features Kenny Parker and Heather B. This song has them and KRS-One rhyming about underrage dating, and picking up a 13 year old to date. Classic song. (5/5)
The next song is called "Poisonous Products". This song has KRS-One rhyming about how his rhyming skill, is the equivelant to poisonous products. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Questions and Answers", and features Willie D. This song has KRS-One and Willie D rhyming about how they are the answer to your questions. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Say Gal", and features Kenny Parker. This song has KRS-One and Kenny Parker rhyming to the females. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "We In There", and features Kenny Parker and Willie D. This song has the 3 rhyming about being "In There". Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Sex and Violence". This song has KRS-One rhyming about what you would expect by the title. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "How Not to Get Jerked". This song has KRS-One rhyming about, well, how not to get jerked. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Who Are the Pimps?". This song has KRS-One rhyming about who the pimps are. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "The Real Holy Place". This song has KRS-One rhyming about religion. Classic song. (5/5)
Overall, I give this 4/5, 8/10, 80/100, and my grade for it is "B-". Overall, if you're a fan of KRS-One, then get this.
3 Best Songs:
1. The Real Holy Place
2. 13 and Good
3. Duck Down
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Say Gal
2. Questions and Answers
3. How Not to Get Jerked