Shock of the hour
Encyclopedia
Shock of the Hour is MC Ren
's first full-length solo album. Released in 1993, it has been called "uneven", but presents a lyrical vision. It was his first solo album released after he converted to the Nation of Islam
. MC Ren
highlights his view of American
hyprocisy with a vengeance, and the title track foresees the nation's fiery end in an apocalyptic fury enabling black people
to finally achieve justice. Both this tune and "Attack On Babylon
" come closest to presenting a coherent, effective philosophy. Another provocative track is "Same Old Shit", a song that strips away any pretense of glamour around the gangsta lifestyle and outlines the brutality, paranoia and violence at its core. Many of the tracks display MC Ren's potential as a hip-hop theorist. The first half is Gangsta rap
(which was originally recorded for Life Sentence, his follow-up to Kizz My Black Azz
until he converted to Islam), the second half is "Muslim rap". The second half mainly talks of Judgment day and Armageddon
. Album cover photography and portraits of MC Ren
were taken by Daniel Arsenault.
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
's first full-length solo album. Released in 1993, it has been called "uneven", but presents a lyrical vision. It was his first solo album released after he converted to the Nation of Islam
Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam is a mainly African-American new religious movement founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930 to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African-Americans in the United States of America. The movement teaches black pride and...
. MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
highlights his view of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hyprocisy with a vengeance, and the title track foresees the nation's fiery end in an apocalyptic fury enabling black people
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
to finally achieve justice. Both this tune and "Attack On Babylon
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
" come closest to presenting a coherent, effective philosophy. Another provocative track is "Same Old Shit", a song that strips away any pretense of glamour around the gangsta lifestyle and outlines the brutality, paranoia and violence at its core. Many of the tracks display MC Ren's potential as a hip-hop theorist. The first half is Gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
(which was originally recorded for Life Sentence, his follow-up to Kizz My Black Azz
Kizz My Black Azz
Kizz My Black Azz is an EP by MC Ren, released in 1992. This EP was his first solo release that came after N.W.A broke up.All tracks were produced by Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin except "Hounddogz", which was produced by DJ Train, MC Ren and The Torture Chamber....
until he converted to Islam), the second half is "Muslim rap". The second half mainly talks of Judgment day and Armageddon
Armageddon
Armageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
. Album cover photography and portraits of MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
were taken by Daniel Arsenault.
Tracklisting
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "11:55" | Tootie | Laywiy, MC Ren |
| 2 | "Same Old Shit Same Ol' Shit "Same Ol' Shit", sometimes censored as "Same Ol", is the first single released from MC Ren's second album, Shock of the Hour. It was released on October 29, 1993 and was produced by Tootie. "Same Ol' Shit" became MC Ren's most successful single chart-wise by making it to #90 on the Billboard Hot... " |
Tootie | Badd Newz, MC Ren |
| 3 | "Fuck What Ya Heard Fuck What Ya Heard "Fuck What Ya Heard", also known by its censored title, "Forget What Ya Heard", is the second single from MC Ren's second album, Shock of the Hour.... " |
Dr. Jam | MC Ren |
| 4 | "All Bullshit Aside" | Dr. Jam, Madness 4 Real | MC Ren |
| 5 | "One False Move" | DJ Train | Da Konvicted Felon, Dollar Bill, Don Jaguar, MC Ren |
| 6 | "You Wanna Fuck Her" | Dr. Jam | MC Ren |
| 7 | "Mayday On The Front Line" | Dr. Jam | MC Ren |
| 8 | "Attack On Babylon" | Rhythm D | MC Ren |
| 9 | "Do You Believe" | Tootie | MC Ren |
| 10 | "Mr. Fuck Up" | Tootie, Jermaine "Juvenile" Paterson (co-producer) | The Whole Click (Jermaine "Juvenile" Paterson & J-Rocc) |
| 11 | "Shock Of The Hour" | Tootie | Kam Kam (rapper) Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow... , Laywiy, MC Ren |
Instrumentation
- "11:55"
- KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
: Mark "Fingaz" Dixon
- Keyboards
- "Same Old Shit"
- Keyboards: Mark "Fingaz" Dixon
- "Fuck What Ya Heard"
- BassBass (instrument)Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
: Mike Sims - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
: Mike Sims
- Bass
- "All Bullshit Aside"
- Bass (Stand-Up): Benjamin May
- "One False Move"
- Bass: René 'The Secret Weapon' Flores
- "You Wanna Fuck Her"
- Bass: Mike Sims
- Guitar: Mike Sims
- "Mr. Fuck Up"
- Bass: Big Bad Bob Morse
- "Shock of the Hour"
- ScratchesScratchingScratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
: D.J. Train
- Scratches