Jedi Mind Tricks Albums (10)
'Stoupe: Decalogue'
Release Date 3/31/2009
Tracks 10
Label Babygrande
See Album Tracklist and Review
'A History of Violence'
Release Date 10/14/2008
Tracks 14
Label Babygrande
See Album Tracklist and Review
'King Syze: The Labor Union'
Release Date 8/5/2008
Tracks 13
Label Babygrande
See Album Tracklist and Review
'King Syze: Syzemology'
Release Date 8/5/2008
Tracks 15
Label Babygrande
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'Army of the Pharoahs: Ritual of Battle'
Release Date 9/25/2007
Tracks 16
Label Babygrande
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'Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell'
Release Date 9/19/2006
Tracks 16
Label Babygrande
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What The Critics Say
Vinnie Paz, Jedi Mind Tricks' MC, has always interspersed political statements in his rhymes, but usually he chooses to focus more on his own pain and anger instead of going on specific and directed diatribes. Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, however, is the most overtly socially conscious and critical album that the group has ever made. Along with tracks that speak directly about slave labor ("Shadow Business") and the Vietnam War ("Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story," which features a great, intricate verse from R.A. the Rugged Man), the entire record is interlaced with references to the conflicts in the Middle East, terrorism, and religion, even in the songs where Paz speaks about his own problems. "When All Light Dies," about violence in America, among other things, contains the line "I'm ready to go to war with [the police] like we Iraqi.../Don't make me...put the flame to them/And slug it out like the Israelis and Iranians," the MC trying to highlight domestic issues (including the ones in himself) as much as the foreign ones. Paz, like always, is obsessed with death, especially his own, but his consciousness of the conditions in the rest of the world seems to have given him the resolve to not give up completely. This feeling is seen in the two songs on the album in which he talks about suicide, "Black Winter Day" and "Razorblade Salvation" (preceded by a fantastic interlude in which Richard II is quoted), which features a Sufjan Stevens sample and vocals from Illinoisemaker Shara Worden and takes the form of a letter to Paz's mother. But unlike Eminem's "Stan" -- which was a clear inspiration -- this song ends in the decision that despite the fact he feels like he's "cancerous," there are enough reasons that warrant him staying alive. The production only helps to accent the emotion that Paz conveys. The beats -- strong, hollow drums -- are interlaced with classical strings and Sicilian folk guitar and news clips. "Shadow Business," a compelling and affecting song about the horrors of sweatshops that doesn't come across as preachy, loops a woman singing chillingly in Italian, "Solo tu vuoi salvarmi, ricordati/Anche se ho sbagliato, perdonami" ("Only you want to save me, please remember/Even though I made a mistake, forgive me"), a quasi-subliminal call to arms, and a chorus that questions existence if one is "living in hell." It's direct, but it's also subtle, placing blame not only with the factory owners but also with all of us who choose to ignore these conditions. "And while we sit around debating who the whack MCs/They have to work when arthritic pain attack the knees," Paz states, accusing everyone of the situation's perpetuation. Like how Wu-Tang appealed to so many different fans because of both their hard, urban beats and their smart, complex lyrics, so too are Jedi Mind Tricks able to achieve that same status. Stoupe's production is heavy yet musical, and Paz's rhymes are intelligent yet accessible, his voice rough yet his delivery smooth. Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the collaboration of two talented musicians who can create a nearly flawless album in which each track can stand on its own, but is more powerful as a whole, as an exploration of pain and hatred, of those feelings that we often don't wish to address but that, thanks to Jedi Mind Tricks, will be addressed for us. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide
'The Army of the Pharaohs: The Torture Papers'
Release Date 3/21/2006
Tracks 13
Label Babygrande
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What The Critics Say
Since their debut, Jedi Mind Tricks have invited a legion of guest rappers to their full-lengths, and Army of the Pharaohs could well be the dénouement; under the billing "Army of the Pharaohs," nearly a dozen different rappers make a total of 50 appearances (all those on just 13 tracks). Also, the record appears to have a concept behind it, at least from the subtitle ("The Torture Papers"), but neither Vinnie Paz nor Stupe nor any of the guests ever enlighten listeners about what the concept is, or what it means. The only things left to glean from this record are the performances and the productions. As for the productions, they consist of the horrorcore rap heard on JMT full-lengths or old Gravediggaz or Wu-Tang records. Highlights among the performances include those of four guests -- the great rappers Esoteric, Apathy, and Celph Titled, plus producer 7L -- on "The Torture Papers," "Listen Up," and "King Among Kings." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With violent imagery so rampant in the past decade of hip-hop, the fact that Jedi Mind Tricks' third album manages a cover shot that actually succeeds in shocking is either impressive or disturbing, depending on your disposition. Same goes for Vinnie Paz's tougher-than-leather flow that hollers down "faggots" and paints pictures of ultra-violence in a way that would make A Clockwork Orange seem almost friendly by comparison. This is hard music for hard times, and it makes no concessions to the blinged-out mainstream on JMT's left flank, nor the conscious emo-rap on the right. But walking the middle ground, he declares "I don't want to die anymore/I don't want to cry anymore/Don't want to lie anymore...I just want y'all to be dead" on "The Worst," and it's hard to sympathize. Producer Stoupe's minor-key beat suites chime melodically, yet feature tempos just quick enough to keep up with Paz's manic energy. In fact, keeping up with Paz gets exhausting at points, but guest MCs Des Devious, Sean Price, and Killah Priest keep up nicely with the absolutely stunning rhymes by GZA on both versions of "On the Eve of War," and actually have a calming effect (despite the album's hokiest beat on the main version of the cut). Though probably too aggressive for anyone old enough to clearly remember JMT's classic 2000 album, Violent By Design, Legacy of Blood is not without its moments. But after five years, Paz should have found at least one more subject to rhyme about. ~ Joshua Glazer, All Music Guide
'Visions of Ghandi'
Release Date 8/26/2003
Tracks 17
Label Babygrande
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What The Critics Say
Horrorcore rappers can generally be counted on to pair their ultra-violent raps with dark, claustrophobic productions. Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, trackmaster for the duo Jedi Mind Tricks, has broader aims though, and he uses the group's third LP to move their sound from rote RZA or DJ Premier knockoffs into new territory. It's clear from a cursory listen to Visions of Gandhi that the group was far better off when they concentrated on that sound; the backings here -- framed by Spanish guitars, a Bobby McFerrin-type sample, and the strings of light classical pieces -- simply don't carry the right mood for the raps of Vinnie Paz (aka Ikon the Verbal Hologram). Paz alternates righteous Muslim rhetoric with horrorcore raps that fit in so many references to so many pieces of anatomy (all of which he plans on eviscerating) that it sounds more like med school than a rap album. A few features make for better listening, including Ras Kass' guest on "Rise of the Machines" and Kool G Rap's on "Animal Rap." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'Violent by Design'
Release Date 10/3/2000
Tracks 22
Label Superegular
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Like all excellent underground hip-hop acts, Philadelphia's Jedi Mind Tricks want to sound like Kool Keith but actually make some sense. That they've now moved on from their debut album's UFO-a-philia into more sociopolitical ramblings shouldn't distract you: Violent By Design again shows a group that still knows their nobly skewed stuff. Even when they add a third solid member, JusAllah (aka Megatraum), and about 400 guest spots. There are tales of pipe-wielding violence and obligatory Star Wars references, amusing uses of Hulk Hogan and Pi samples, but Stoupe's newly jagged and ominous turntablist hooks give you a new barren, kung-fu film landscape for those imaginative nights when you're truly feeling sinister. The Virtuoso, Esoteric, and Bahamadia collaboration "Exertions" superbly captures a sloping account of reparation, placentas, and Zodiac killers, while "The Prophecy" interlude sounds like a hip-hop cousin to the dark jazz played in the club scene of David Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. Hardcore vulgarity and pointed, Wu-Tang hooks notwithstanding, Jedi Mind Tricks are well-versed in contradictions. They know how to intimidate without gangsta pretensions and they know how to create menace without losing sight of humor or clarity. ~ Dean Carlson, All Music Guide
