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Step in the Arena

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Untitled
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone[2]
Select[3]
The Source[4]

Step In the Arena is the second studio album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on January 15 1991. Initially, the album was rated 3.5 out of 5 mics in The Source magazine.[4] In his review, Reef wrote: "Step in the Arena stands alone on a musical level, yet it also remains true to hip-hop's underground heritage." In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Hip Hop Albums.[5] In 2007, it was named the greatest hip hop album of all time by IGN.com.[6] The song "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" was remixed by DJ Premier for use in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

Track listing

  1. "Name Tag (Premier & the Guru)"
  2. "Step in the Arena"
  3. "Form of Intellect"
  4. "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)"
  5. "Who's Gonna Take the Weight?"
  6. "Beyond Comprehension"
  7. "Check the Technique"
  8. "Lovesick"
  9. "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow"
  10. "Game Plan"
  11. "Take a Rest"
  12. "What You Want this Time?"
  13. "Street Ministry"
  14. "Just to Get a Rep" (short version)
  15. "Say Your Prayers"
  16. "As I Read My S-A"
  17. "Precisely the Right Rhymes"
  18. "The Meaning of the Name"
  • All tracks written and produced by Guru and DJ Premier.

Album singles

Single information
"Jazz Thing (Video Mix)" [Non-Album Single]
  • Released: 1990
  • B-side: "Jazz Thing (Movie Mix)" & "Jazz Thing (Instrumental)"
"Just to Get a Rep"
  • Released: February 25, 1991
  • B-side: "Who's Gonna Take the Weight?"
"Lovesick"
  • Released: April 11, 1991
  • B-side: "What You Want This Time?", "Credit Is Due"
"Step in the Arena"
  • Released: August 29, 1991
  • B-side: "Check the Technique (Remix)", "Credit Is Due"

Chart performance

Album

Chart (1991) Peak
position
Billboard 200 121
Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums 19

Singles

Year Song Chart position
Hot Rap Singles
1991 "Just to Get a Rep" 5
"Step in the Arena" 5
Lovesick 11
"Who's Gonna Take the Weight?" 9

References

  1. ^ Swihart, Stanton. "Review: Step In The Arena - Gang Starr". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  2. ^ Hoard, Christian. "Review: Step In The Arena - Gang Starr". Rolling Stone :322. Retrieved 07 December 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Review: Gang Starr - Step In The Arena, Cooltempo". Select (March, 1998). EMAP Metro: 88.
  4. ^ a b Reef (February, 1991) Step In The Arena Album Review. The Source.
  5. ^ Columnist. The 100 Best Rap Albums. The Source. Retrieved on 2010-12-07.
  6. ^ "Top 25 Hip Hop Albums—Music Feature at IGN".