Uncle Sam's Curse
Uncle Sam's Curse | ||||
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Studio album by Above the Law | ||||
Released | July 12, 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1993–1994 | |||
Studio | The Edge Recording (California) | |||
Genre |
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Length | 59:57 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Above the Law chronology | ||||
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Singles from Uncle Sam's Curse | ||||
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Uncle Sam's Curse is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Above the Law.[1][2] It was released in 1994, the group's final record on Ruthless Records.[3] The album peaked at number 15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 113 on the Billboard 200.[4] Uncle Sam's Curse sold over 250,000 copies.
Audio production was handled by A.T.L.'s Cold 187um with co-producers KM.G and K-oss. The tracks "Return of the Real Shit" and "Black Superman" contain samples from the 1994 film Against the Wall.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Trouser Press wrote that "Cold 187um kicks more good grooves as producer, but he can't smooth over the lyrical nonsense."[6]
In 2016, LA Weekly called the album "an hourlong, funk-driven study in urban injustice and middle-American anxiety released halfway through the summer of the Brentwood murders, Newt Gingrich's Contract With America and the Major League Baseball strike."[7]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Return of the Real Shit" | 5:42 |
2. | "Set Free" | 4:49 |
3. | "Kalifornia" (featuring Kokane) | 4:35 |
4. | "Concreat Jungle" | 4:25 |
5. | "Rain Be for Rain Bo" | 4:34 |
6. | "Everything Will Be Alright" (featuring Kokane) | 4:54 |
7. | "Black Superman" | 4:27 |
8. | "The 'G' in Me" | 4:52 |
9. | "Uncle Sam's Curse" | 4:47 |
10. | "One Time Two Many" | 4:49 |
11. | "Who Ryde" (featuring Tone Lōc & Kokane) | 5:30 |
12. | "Gangsta Madness" | 6:46 |
Total length: | 1:00:10 |
Personnel
- Gregory Fernan Hutchinson — main artist, producer, keyboards, mixing
- Kevin Michael Gulley — main artist, co-producer
- Anthony Stewart — main artist, co-producer
- Jerry Long, Jr. — featured artist (tracks 3, 6, 11)
- Anthony Terrell Smith — featured artist (track 11)
- Mike Smooth — bass, guitar, keyboards
- Jimmy Russell — bass
- Brian Gardner — mastering
- Mark Paladino — mixing
- Michael Miller — photography
- David Bett — art direction
- Allan Wai — design
- Kurt Nagahori — illustration (cover)
- Joanna — backing vocals
- Nicki — backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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References
- ^ "Above the Law Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Weinstein, Max (September 17, 2014). "'94 Week: The 50 Best Rap Albums Of 1994". Vibe.
- ^ Hoffmann, Frank W. (August 20, 2005). Rhythm and Blues, Rap, and Hip-hop. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9780816069804 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Above the Law – Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Uncle Sam's Curse – Above the Law". AllMusic. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ^ "Above the Law". Trouser Press. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Weekly, L. A. (August 15, 2016). "Why Lost G-Funk Classic Uncle Sam's Curse Is More Relevant Than Ever". LA Weekly.
- ^ "Above the Law, TLP". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Above the Law, BLP". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- v
- t
- e
- Cold 187um
- DJ Total K-Oss
- KMG the Illustrator
- Go Mack
- Livin' Like Hustlers
- Black Mafia Life
- Uncle Sam's Curse
- Time Will Reveal
- Legends
- Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One
- Sex, Money & Music
- "Murder Rap"
- "Call It What U Want"
- "Black Superman"