A Prince Among Thieves is the second studio album by hip hop artist Prince Paul. It is considered an apex in the hip hop world, and was one of the most acclaimed concept albums of its time. The concept follows the story of an aspiring young emcee named Tariq, played by emcee Breezly Brewin, who needs to collect money to record a demo tape before a meeting with Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. The story follows a desperate Tariq, who quits his low-paying job and turns to his friend True, played by emcee Big Sha, who plugs him into the world of drug dealing. The two make their way through the drug world, a police ambush, jail, and, finally, a deadly showdown.
The album features cameos by Kool Keith, Big Daddy Kane, Chubb Rock, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Everlast, Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole, Special Ed, Chris Rock, RZA and Buckshot. A single version and video were also produced, which have the feel of a film trailer. Although conceived as a story that could be filmed, an accompanying movie was never made. A Prince Among Thieves was well-received by music critics upon its release. Music essayist Robert Christgau has cited it as "the closest thing to a true rock opera you've ever heard".[1]
[edit] Track listing
| # |
Title |
Producer(s) |
Performer (s) |
| 1 |
"Tariq's Dilemma (Intro)" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 2 |
"Pain" |
Prince Paul |
Sha, Breeze |
| 3 |
"How It All Started" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 4 |
"Steady Slobbin'" |
Prince Paul |
Breeze |
| 5 |
"Just Another Day" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 6 |
"What U Got (The Demo)" |
Prince Paul |
Sha, Breeze |
| 7 |
"The Hustles On" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 8 |
"MC Hustler" |
Prince Paul |
Horror City |
| 9 |
"The Call" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 10 |
"The Other Line" |
Prince Paul |
Breeze, Heroine |
| 11 |
"Crazy Lou's Hideout" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 12 |
"Weapon World" |
Prince Paul |
Kool Keith |
| 13 |
"My Big Chance" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 14 |
"War Party" |
Prince Paul |
Horror City |
| 15 |
"Count Macula" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 16 |
"Macula's Theory" |
Prince Paul |
Big Daddy Kane |
| 17 |
"Mr. Large" |
Prince Paul |
Sha, Chubb Rock, Biz Markie |
| 18 |
"Can You Handle It" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 19 |
"Put the Next Man On" |
Prince Paul |
Breeze, Sha, Superstar |
| 20 |
"I Was In" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 21 |
"My First Day" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 22 |
"More Than U Know" |
Prince Paul |
De La Soul |
| 23 |
"Room 69" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 24 |
"Mood For Love" |
Prince Paul |
Newkirk, Sweet Dee, Breeze |
| 25 |
"The Bust" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 26 |
"The Men in Blue" |
Prince Paul |
Everlast |
| 27 |
"Central Booking" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 28 |
"Handle Your Time" |
Prince Paul |
Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole |
| 29 |
"The Rev" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 30 |
"Sermon" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 31 |
"Showdown" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 32 |
"You Got Shot" |
Prince Paul |
Sha, Breeze |
| 33 |
"Every Beginning Must Have an Ending" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 34 |
"The New Joint (DJ's Delite)" |
|
*Interlude* |
| 35 |
"A Prince Among Thieves" |
Prince Paul |
Sha |
- Sample credits
- "Steady Slobbin'" is a parody of Ice Cube's song "Steady Mobbin'," and both contain a sample of Average White Band's recording "Reach Out."
- "What U Got" contains a sample of Albert King's recording "I'll Play the Blues for You."
- "Macula's Theory" contains a sample of Syl Johnson's recording "Wind, Blow Her Back My Way."
- "You Got Shot" contains a sample of Ol' Dirty Bastard's recording "Brooklyn Zoo."
[edit] Personnel
[edit] The cast
- Tariq: Breezly Brewin
- True: Big Sha
- Mother: Monkey
- Officer O'Maley Bitchkowski: Everlast
- Crazy Lou: Kool Keith
- Mr. Large: Chubb Rock
- Breakneck: Special Ed
- Diehard: Biz Markie
- Hooker: Sweet Dee
- Crackhead: Chris Rock
- Crackhead Girl: Queen Bee
- RZA: Himself
|
- Count Macula: Big Daddy Kane
- The Reverend: Dom Dom
- Convicts: Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole
- Buckshot: Himself
- Thug Group: Horror City
- Paramedic 1: Rodd Houston
- Paramedic 2: Wendy Day
- Tariq's Sister (Starkeisha): Karima
- Police Officer 2: Phil Painson
- Police Captain: Danny Madorski
- Wu Receptionist: Kamala Gordon
- Tammy: Heroine
|
[edit] The DJs and VJs
- DJ Evil Dee
- Bobbito
- DJ Mecca
- Bobby Simmons
- Andre (Bless Me) Smith
- Ken (Special K) Spellman
- DJ Atlas
- Artist
- Lynn Gonzales
- Rotimi Rainwater
- Michelle Willems
- Patty Santos
- Faradina Lael
- Jackie Martinez
- Shara
- Queen
- Big Pat
- The Deadly Snakes
- Bobby Simmons
- Regina Moore
|
- Lady Leo
- Mel Vives
- Mr. Dead
- Don Newkirk
- Bimos
- Michael Preston
- Richard Preston
- Nyce
- Edward Huston
|
[edit] Charts
- Album
- Singles
[edit] References
