Disco de Gang Starr: “Step in the Arena”

"Step in the Arena" is an excellent introduction to Gang Starr. Even though it is their second album, it shines as their true debut. Coming around the same time as Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "Mecca and the Soul Brother", and A Tribe Called Quest's "The Low End Theory", "Step In the Arena" utilizes jazz just as effectively, and combines Guru's clever wit with DJ Premier's street sensibilities. Probably serving as DJ Premier's definitive early 90's production, the beats are hard in the way they ride so easily. Their bass heaviness was dense enough to pull strongly at the airy light jazz samples and hooks to achieve an equilibrium that became a gold standard. What you have in the end is an extremely listenable mix of two genres deeply connected to each other in their way of communication with and their origination within Black America (namely, jazz and hip-hop). While it was in no way a light weight on issues that confronted Black America in the early 90's, it didn't concentrate on them as feverishly as some of it's contemporaries. It did what a Gang Starr record always does, and that's putting the limitatations of all that are lesser in sharp relief. Squeezing 18 tracks in just over 50 minutes, the average song was just 2 to 3 minutes, but they were used very well, and are a study of minutes of near perfection. If it weren't for their 1998 comeback masterpiece "Moment of Truth", this would more than likely still stand as their best album because it garners the trait of all albums produced in that similar vein. Those were works deeply connected with the time of their inception, but age so gracefully that they still sound just as good or better still than anything today. Simply put, "Step in the Arena" is one of the most stunning albums by a rap duo when all the dynamics are right, and it holds as one of the lesser referenced but still true highlights of hip-hop's new jack phase.

This is the type of album that separated Gangstarr from the rest of Hip Hop.Jazzy yes but not Tribe,De La, or Jungle Brothers at all.Step in the Arena had a feel completely unique to itself.Guru lyrically way ahead to even now.His flow at times were soft spoken though his words were harsh with seriousness.Probably one of the most well rounded hip hop albums of all time.The only thing I wish was better is the overall sonic quality.It seemed the levels were low at some spots but that may be the magic in this production.Less is more.No tracks to mention because they are all equaly great.A must have for the hip hop purist.

1991 The bottom line is DJ Premier and Guru may be the best 1-2 punch rap has ever seen. I still have yet to hear a producers work that can top Preemo's(close exception for RZA). This album is what rap WAS about, a dj and an mc. Two men who are phenomenal at what they do. Pure skill in rhyming and beats. This album is a rap masterpiece.

For anyone that wants to know was the rap game is all about check this or any other Gangstarr release. Premier's tight beats are murdered by Guru's sweet lyrics. Its true that others "are wondering why they lost their touch" and "wanna buy [Guru's] but they cost too much." The tracks Step in the Arena, Check the Technique, Take a Rest, As I Read My SA and The Meaning of the Name are true hip-hop classics. This album is just straight up tight!

I probably can't say anything that hasn't already been said about this masterpiece, however the sound of this album should not be misunderstood, This is one of those albums that epitomizes what the East Coast feels like. The "simple" production is the point. Guru's skills have been debated over and over again but he fits these tracks perfectly. Preemo is at his best here, a beat, a sample, a cut, that's about it. This album basically set the standard for what East Coast Hip-Hop should sound like to many people. I will never tire of it. Simple perfection.

If you like DITC, BDP etc, you probably already have this one, but if you don't.......