Critical Beatdown
by Ultramagnetic MC's

Album Rating: 77.40
(1,161/15)

04.10.1988

Ultramagnetic MC's (USA): Critical Beatdown

1.Watch Me Now 70
2.Ease Back 81
3.Ego Trippin' 77
4.Moe Luv's Theme 83
5.Kool Keith Housing Things 84
6.Travelling At The Speed Of Thought 88
7.Feeling It 75
8.One Minute Less 72
9.Ain't It Good 84
10.Funky 77
11.Give The Drummer Some 76
12.Break North 73
13.Critical Beatdown 79
14.When I Burn 70
15.Ced Gee (Delta Force One) 72

From Graeme2 09/22/2019 11:08 | #242907 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Ego Trippin' was initially released in 1986. You here that track in the context of this 1988 record and it just sounds pure '88. That track was so far ahead of the pack in every way, not least in production where it's just the full breakbeat, with no hint of it being chopped like Marley, or drum machine in sight. They also have the audacity in it to diss Run DMC.

So underrated. This is rap the way it should be

From babyBlueSedan 06/08/2015 00:16 | #143282 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This is the most forward thinking rap album of the 80s, and possibly of all time. The sampling and production still sounds fresh, which certainly can't be said about some other acclaimed 80s hip hop. And the lyrics are creative and unique as well; they often stray into the most generic, overused subject of the time for hip hop lyrics (rapping about how great an MC you are), but the similes and word play is something that wouldn't be seen again until the Wu Tang Clan. Just an incredible album all around. Also, Kool Keith is probably the most underrated rapper ever.

Widely acclaimed as one of the best hip hop albums released, this record has influenced a huge number of hip hop artists since it's release in 1988 and set many trends, particularly the structure and patterns of Kool Keith's lyrics which have been unintentionally replicated (sometimes intentionally) by a huge number of rappers since it's release in 1988.