Papa Didn’t Raize No Punkz

Description

Papa Didn’t Raize No Punkz is the major label debut album by the American hip-hop artist King Shon and Tha S.S.M.O.B. (Soul Serving Ministers On Board), released on Metro One Recordings ‎in 1995, distributed by Diamante Distribution in the US.

After an exemplary independent outing and a couple of compilaton album appearances, King Shon and his Soul Serving Ministers on Board are poised to break through in a bigger way still with ‘Papa Didn’t Raize No Punkz’. Shon’s head-bobbing musicality is rooted in the Death Row Records (Dr. Dré, Snoop Doggy Dogg, et. al.) modus operandi, where alternately eerie and burbling synth washes and melodies move against down-to-midtempo beat tracks that add up to minor-key heavenliness.

None of the above would mean diddley if the rhymes weren’t rhythmically and spiritually on target, and they sure are. This group can reminisce on «Anotha Phunky Song», drop a bomb of fun on «When We Creep» (incorporating a recent TLC hit), make clever analogies for heaven in «Gold St. Ride» and unflinchingly recount one sad life lost without Christ for «I Wanna Die». Shon’s voice pours with quick couplets like sweaty, fortified molasses: sweet, dark, thick and good for ya.

A lyrically fun paean to racial harmony like «Given Luv 2 My People» and musical mission statement «Da Gangstaz Ya Mutha Luvz» merit a bit less hard-core approach. The use of a certain infamous racial epithet is clarified in a liner note glossary but could be interpreted derogatorily all the same in a couple of instances. Perhaps compensating for these gaffes are a moving autobiographical tune in «Punk of the Year» and the instantly memorable chorus of «Gettumup».

The best hip-hop albums has always cultivated controversy, and King Shon and the S.S.M.O.B. whip up a bushel or two on ‘Papa Didn’t Raize No Punkz’. But this group has done so in a manner that may well define musical and attitudinal gospel gangsta-ism. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, April 1996]

CD tracklist:

Hoo Ride
01. Kan-U-Se-Me (feat. Notorious Hitman) – 1:02
02. Bumpz Fo Yo Trunk – 4:50
03. Anotha Funky Song – 4:44
04. Remember Me – 1:13
05. 3 Ta Da Head – 4:15
06. When We Creep – 3:07
07. Momma’s Call – 0:10
08. Punk Of The Year – 4:37
09. U Can’t Getz None – 4:15
10. I Wanna Die – 4:58
11. Gold St. Ride (feat. Big Red Of T.R.P. and Notorious Hitman) – 2:43
12. How Many Doomed Dead (feat. Bokie Loc) – 4:00
Low Ride
13. Ghettumup – 4:41
14. Big Bad Gold St. – 1:04
15. Come Around – 4:55
16. Given Luv 2 My People – 4:18
17. Menace Ta Hell – 4:58
18. Gangsta Public Announcement – 1:03
19. 2 Da 1 Dat Pulled Da Trigga – 4:08
20. Da M.O.B. Interview – 2:18
21. Papa Didn’t Raize No Punkz – 4:29
22. Da Gangstaz Ya Mutha Luvz – 4:29

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Metro One Recordings.

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