By All Means Necessary

By All Means Necessary
Studio album by Boogie Down Productions
Released May 31, 1988
Recorded 1987–1988
Genre Hip hop
Length 47:28
Label Jive/RCA Records
1097-J
Producer KRS-One
Boogie Down Productions chronology
Criminal Minded
(1987)		 By All Means Necessary
(1988)		 Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop
(1989)

By All Means Necessary is the second album from American hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, released on May 31, 1988[1] on Jive Records. After the 1987 murder of DJ-producer Scott La Rock, MC KRS-One moved away from the violent themes that dominated his debut, Criminal Minded, and began writing socially conscious songs using the moniker the Teacher.

Album information

Many themes, which surface a minimalist production accompanied by hard-hitting drum beats, cover social issues that include government and police corruption, safe sex, government involvement in the drug trade, and violence in the hip hop community.

As of September 25, 1989, the album was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America.[2] Both the album cover, depicting KRS-One, and the album title make reference to Malcolm X. The album's cover art is a reference to the iconic photo of Malcolm X peering through his window while holding a M1 carbine rifle. The album title is a modification of Malcolm X's famous phrase "By Any Means Necessary."[3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[5]
The Great Rock Discography7/10[6]
MusicHound4.5/5[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[8]
Spin Alternative Record Guide8/10[6]
The Village VoiceB+[9]

The album is widely seen as one of, if not the first, politically conscious efforts in hip-hop. Allmusic.com described the album as a landmark of political hip hop and Rolling Stone praised its social commentary.[4] Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone wrote, "Over irresistible beats provided by his BDP cohorts, KRS delivers the word on the drug trade, AIDS and violence—three forces that threaten to destroy minority communities."[7]

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.[10]

In 2008, the single "My Philosophy" was ranked number 49 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "My Philosophy"   5:41
2. "Ya Slippin'"   4:56
3. "Stop the Violence"   4:42
4. "Illegal Business"   5:22
5. "Nervous"   4:13
6. "I'm Still #1"   5:13
7. "Part Time Suckers"   5:32
8. "Jimmy"   4:16
9. "T'Cha-T'Cha"   4:35
10. "Necessary"   2:57

Samples used

Chart history

Album chart positions

Chart (1988) Peak
position
scope="row" US Billboard 200[11] 75
scope="row" US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[12] 18

Singles chart positions

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1988 Stop the Violence - No.76 -

References

  1. ↑ C.M., Emmanuel. "Today In Hip-Hop: Boogie Down Productions And KRS-One Releases 'By All Means Necessary'". XXL. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  2. ↑ RIAA database search item By All Means Necessary Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine., retrieved 22 May 2008
  3. ↑ "Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary - The Cover Cove - Quora". thecovercove.quora.com.
  4. 1 2 Huey, Steve. "By All Means Necessary — Boogie Down Productions". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  5. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 2006. ISBN 0857125958.
  6. 1 2 3 "By All Means Necessary". AcclaimedMusic.net. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  7. 1 2 DeCurtis, Anthony (1988-10-06). "Boogie Down Productions: By All Means Necessary : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  8. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 94. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  9. ↑ Christgau, Robert (May 24, 1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "100 Best Rap Albums + 100 Best Rap Singles.". Rocklist.net. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  11. ↑ "Boogie Down Productions – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Boogie Down Productions.
  12. ↑ "Boogie Down Productions – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Boogie Down Productions.
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