Liner notes and the shout-outs on the back of rap albums were a big deal at one point, providing a clue as to other groups worth checking out in the ever-crowded late-80s rap explosion.
Here are six memorable efforts (click the pics for larger versions)…
Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet
There’s a lot to digest there, but the real question is – would you have rather have had your crew listed in the Hardcore 17 or the Funky Fellas On The Block 23?
Jungle Brothers – Done By The Forces of Nature
The JB’s cut straight to the chase, with a typically eclectic selection for inspiration from ‘The Present’ covering BDP, Fishbone and Sade, while ‘The Future’ is declared in ALL CAPS.
Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now
I feel like KMD really did Spoonie dirty on this, considering they used to be in a crew together. Meanwhile, the fact that he gives LL and T La Rock the same same score is an amazing subliminal that possibly only Kool Keith picked-up on.
Class A Felony – Class A Felony
DJ Stiches took the time out to take shots at his old crew De La Soul in no uncertain terms, naming them as ‘filthy savages’ and ‘punk muthafuckers’. Is this the most direct disrespect in rap liner notes ever or am I forgetting something more brutal?
Ultramagnetic MC’s – The Four Horsemen
Leave it to one of rap’s most entertaining and left-field crews to raise the bar when it comes to liner notes bios. Word to Grimace.
Kool Moe Dee put a reading list of stuff like Carlos Castenda on his album notes, as I recall. Chuck D seemed very world-view and paternal on all the P.E albums, making new cats seem welcome. Running a power move, like a dad.
You only posted 5, but the title says 6.
Good point, I’ve updated the title.
That De La Soul tidbit blew my head up. Also, although I’m glad no one bit the Ultra idea, I wish others got more creative with their liner notes in the 90s.
That first cover is CNN? Which album? Who is the traitor?
‘Endtroducing’ had some excellent liner notes for pre-internet schooling…
I may be remembering this wrong (and I can’t be bothered to check) but didn’t Eazy-E’s “Eazy Duz it” liner notes include praise for MC Hammer? Similarly, Didn’t Public enemy liner notes big up Kriss Kross and Kid n Play?
I like the liner notes for Ayentee’s “The Manual.” It has completely bogus “contains a sample of….” credits in the tracklist.
The liner notes for Drake’s “Scorpion” feature shout outs to Gary Glitter, R-Kelly, Michael Jackson and Jimmy Savile.
Yeah, I love that