Hard to Earn [PA]

Performer: Gang Starr
Artist: Nice & Smooth; Jeru The Damaja
Engineer: DJ Premier; Dave Carpenter; Eddie Sancho; Max Vargus; Louis Tineo; Luc Allen; Joe Quinde; Kieran Walsh
Producer: DJ Premier; Guru
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Gang Starr: Guru (rap vocals); DJ Premier (scratches). Gang Starr Foundation: Jeru The Damaja, Big Shug, Lil Dap, Melachi The Nutcracker (rap vocals). Recorded at D&D Recording, New York, New York. Lyricists: Greg Nice; Guru; Melachi the Nutcracker; Jeru the Damaja; Lil' Dap; Smooth B.; Big Shug. Audio Mixer: DJ Premier. Recording information: D & D Recording, New York, NY. Photographer: Daniel Hastings. Unknown Contributor Roles: George Clinton ; Quincy Jones. On its much-anticipated fourth release, Brooklyn's Gang Starr exhibits the growth and maturity of true professionals, representing hip-hop (not just rap) with an insightful, original perspective on street life and neck-snapping beats that up the ante on creativity. Never compromising its street credibility and respect for commercial hits and mass appeal, this duo has always stuck to the formula most prized in hip-hop: realism. Once again, Gang Starr's commitment to the art form has paid off in an album that is simultaneously innovative, soulful, and slammin'.

Rolling Stone (6/2/94, p.70) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...Gang Starr have brazenly defied trends, and the result is an achievement like HARD TO EARN..." Melody Maker (2/12/94, p.31) - "...a further, welcome shot of [Gang Starr's] luxurious, self-contained sound, where atmosphere, rhythm and lyric are joined at the hip, by the hip, for the hip..." Musician (4/94, p.83) - "...This is music that reflects and responds to New York City: sophisticated, alternately claustrophobic and soothing, violent and cool..."

Striking the perfect balance between street cred and sophisticated musicality, Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr emerged as hip-hop pioneers in the late 1980s with their sophisticated, jazz-influenced (but still funk-based) sound. They are the rare rap troupe who command respect from every corner of the rap spectrum, as evidenced by their track record of collaborations, including everyone from jazzman Branford Marsalis to Brooklyn gangster rap-dudes M.O.P. DAILY OPERATION and HARD TO EARN remain among the classic albums of the genre. Guru would go on to release a groundbreaking series of jazz-rap collaborations entitled JAZZMATAZZ.

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