Gang Starr – Hard To Earn

Artist: Gang Starr
Title: Hard To Earn
Production: DJ Premier
Label: Chrysalis/ERG

The Guru and Premier are back on the scene with the fourth chapter to the Gang Starr story. Despite rumors of a breakup, Gang Starr stand tall in the face of doubters.

Hard To Earn starts off telling all the kids just starting out that “this shit ain’t easy, if you ain’t got it, you ain’t got it mutha fucka.” “ALONGWAYTOGO” is the next cut that starts off with Premier cuttin’ up Phife’s line “Now here’s a funky introduction” with Q-Tip’s “How far must you go to gain respect ummm…” on the break. A good start to a much anticipated album but it gets better. GURU has obviously had it with booty crews, cause on “Brainstorm”, he transmits a clear warning to any crew standing in the way. To put it short, “Me and my gang’s gonna swarm…”.

This album has a much harder edge to it than the first three. One of the fattest cuts is “Speak Ya Clout”. Part two to “I’m the man” from Daily Operation , once again featuring Jeru the Damaja and Lil’ Dap. Like last time, Premier switches beats as all three catch crazy wrek on the mic. Two other guests get props. Melachi the Nutcracker gets his own mini-track (“Words From The Nutcracker”) and Big Shug kicks shit with GURU on “F.A.L.A” (Fuck Around Lay Around). Two other guests get props. Melachi the Nutcracker gets his own mini-track (“Words From The Nutcracker”) and Big Shug kicks shit with GURU on “F.A.L.A” (Fuck Around Lay Around).

This officially introduces the Gang Starr Foundation, made up of Jeru, Lil’ Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker, and Big Shug. “DWYCK” is on here which should be good news to everybody, but why is “Now Your Mine” on? Listen on Apple Music. It came out on the White Men Can’t Rap soundtrack which if I’m not mistaken came out before Daily Operation , and it’s not even a re-mix! The shit’s still fat though (I wonder if GURU can really play B-Ball). Fat tracks include “Mass Appeal” (of coarse), “Code of the Streets”, “Tonz ‘O’ Gunz”, and “Comin’ For Datazz”. The only fast forwarding you will be doing is on “Aiiight Chill…” where there is nothing but people leaving messages on Premiers answering service. AT three plus minutes you would want to skip it after hearing it once.

Hard to Earn is some 100 proof shit in an industry that’s full of wine coolers. It comes in a close second to Step In the Arena which will go down as a classic, and I have yet to hear anyone top it. Gang Starr is representin’ in 1994. No disappointments here.