Review Summary: KRS-One's solo debut had him trying out new styles, and was a great way to start his solo career.
Return of the Boom Bap, is KRS-One's solo debut, which had KRS-One showing off more of his skills as an MC. Prior to this album, KRS-One had been releasing fantastic albums with Boogie Down Productions. Unfortunately, the DJ for Boogie Down Productions, Scott La Rock, was gunned down in 1987, so Boogie Down Productions was pretty much KRS-One for their albums following Criminal Minded. Following the tragedy, Scott La Rock was credited with overseeing their subsequent albums, and Scott La Rock's death inspired the Stop the Violence movement led by KRS-One.
This album steers into a more hardcore, boom bap direction than what was expected from KRS-One, considering that the majority of KRS's previous work with Boogie Down Productions was conscious and positive. The lyrics are still conscious, but not in the same fashion as the Boogie Down Productions albums. This album is incredible nonetheless, and it has KRS-One attempting new styles. These new styles are a success in my book, as they have new sounds, while not straying away from what the messages convey on the album. An example of this is on "Sound of the Police", which is very political, but it incorporates a boom bap beat. This song is about the treatment of Africans by the police, and the hypocrisy and flaws within the police and justice systems.
Aside from political issues, KRS-One is somewhat versatile on this album, from political songs, to telling stories that are surreal. A big example of this is on "I Can't Wake Up", where KRS-One paints the mental image of being a blunt being smoked, and passed around. As bizarre as it sounds, that is exactly what the song is about. KRS-One goes into vivid, somewhat humorous detail of what it would be like to be a blunt that is being smoked. There's also "'P' is Still Free", which is a sequel to the first "P is Free" from "Criminal Minded". KRS-One tells a similar story as on the original, talking about women giving sex for money. The production on this song, and the entire album, is exactly what the title suggests, boom bap. The production on the album is gritty, boom bap sounding, and is very good. KRS-One recruits DJ Premier to produce most of the album, which is definitely a positive.
Overall, Return of the Boom Bap is an excellent album, with plenty of great lyricism and messages. If you want some of KRS-One's best work, definitely listen to this album, as it's his best solo album.
Ratings:
1. KRS-One Attacks: 4.5/5
2. Outta Here: 4.5/5
3. Black Cop: 4.5/5
4. Mortal Thought: 5/5
5. I Can't Wake Up: 4.5/5
6. Slap Them Up: 4.5/5
7. Sound of da Police: 5/5
8. Mad Crew: 4.5/5
9. Uh Oh: 4/5
10. Brown Skin Woman: 4/5
11. Return of the Boom Bap: 4.5/5
12. "P" is Still Free: 5/5
13. Stop Frontin': 4.5/5
14. Higher Level: 5/5
Best songs:
Sound of da Police
"P" is Still Free
Higher Level
Mortal Thought
Stop Frontin'
Weakest song: Uh Oh
Production: 9.2/10
Lyrics: 9.6/10
Overall rating: 94/100
Grade: A
