In a Word or 2
In a Word or 2 | ||||
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Studio album by Monie Love | ||||
Released | 23 March 1993 | |||
Recorded | 1992–1993 | |||
Genre | Hip hop, new jack swing | |||
Length | 50:27 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. Records 45054 Cooltempo/Chrysalis/EMI Records 0946 3 21993 2 4 F2-21993 | |||
Producer | Marley Marl[1] Prince Aaron "Freedom" Lyles Steve "Silk" Hurley | |||
Monie Love chronology | ||||
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Singles from In a Word or 2 | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Music Week | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 7/10[7] |
Orlando Sentinel | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In a Word or 2 is the second and final album released by rapper Monie Love.[9] It was released on 23 March 1993 by Warner Bros. Records and was mostly produced by Marley Marl. Prince cowrote and coproduced the title track and "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D."[10] Monie and producer Aaron "Freedom" Lyles produced the song "I'm a Believer," while producer/remixer Steve "Silk" Hurley was brought in for additional production and remix for the first single "Born to B.R.E.E.D."
Although In a Word or 2 did not chart on the UK Albums Chart or the US Billboard Top 200 Album chart, it reached No. 75 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 36 on the US Top Heatseekers chart. Two singles charted in the US: "Full Term Love" peaked at No. 96 and "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." reached No. 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Critical reception
AllMusic wrote that "Love's musical voice and singsong delivery are still in effect, but her raps are decidedly more aggressive, lacking the playful air of her first record."[2] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called the album "another challenging and articulate set ... informed by Love's recent experience of motherhood."[4] The Los Angeles Times wrote: "A combination of substance and sass, Monie Love’s second album is tougher and funkier than the pop-hop featured on 1990’s Down to Earth.”[5] Trouser Press opined that "only 'There’s a Better Way,' a cautionary story about HIV, hits the right mix of music and mind."[11]
Track listing
- "Wheel of Fortune"- 3:55
- "Greasy"- 4:08
- "Sex U All"- 5:03
- "Mo' Monie"- 4:14
- "I'm a Believer"- 3:43
- "Let a Woman B a Woman"- 4:15
- "Full Term Love"- 4:44
- "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D."- 4:06
- "In a Word or 2"- 3:36
- "There's a Better Way"- 3:58
- "4 da Children"- 4:26
- "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." (Hip-Hop Mix)- 4:12
Weekly charts
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA Charts)[12][13] | 147 |
References
- ^ a b May, Mitchell. "Monie Love In A Word Or 2..." chicagotribune.com.
- ^ a b "In a Word or 2 - Monie Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Monie Love". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 349.
- ^ a b "MONIE LOVE"In a Word or 2" Warner..." Los Angeles Times. 2 May 1993.
- ^ Jones, Alan (27 March 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week. p. 31. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Moody, Paul (3 April 1993). "Long Play". NME. p. 28. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ Gettelman, Parry (16 April 1993). "Monie Love". Orlando Sentinel.
- ^ "Monie Love | Biography & History". AllMusic.
- ^ "SOUND BITES". Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ "Monie Love". Trouser Press. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 1 July 1991". Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ "Monie Love ARIA Chart history (1988-2024)". ARIA. Retrieved 28 July 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.