Poor Righteous Teachers Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Holy Intellect was Poor Righteous Teachers' excellent debut, as well as the group's highest-charting release, peaking at number 142 on the Billboard 200. Rhymes reflecting the beliefs of the Five Percent Nation never translated to mass appeal, but the group's inability to become more popular is kind of surprising, given that this album can be enjoyed by any fan of Gang Starr, Main Source, the Jungle Brothers, or A Tribe Called Quest. At the very least, it contains some of the era's most undervalued MCing. Perhaps it was the group's name, neither as tough-sounding as Public Enemy nor as clever as Brand Nubian. Or maybe they just lacked that one big breakout single. Produced mostly by Tony "Tony D" Depula (YZ, Jazzy Jay, King Sun), Holy Intellect contains many examples of late-'80s/early-'90s rap positing brainy lyrics over energizing productions suited for a party. Having a good time and feeding your mind didn't have to be mutually exclusive events. Take "Butt Naked Booty Bless," which, instrumentally, could be used for any old crowd-goading chatter, rather than Wise Intelligent lines like "Lessons are the key to the style I drop/Hip-hop, not miscellaneous rhymes." It is worth noting that three tracks were released as singles that hit the Billboard rap chart: the hard-charging "Holy Intellect," the relaxed "Rock Dis Funky Joint," and the tender "Shakiyla," (which sampled Zapp's "Be Alright" before Big Daddy Kane's "Prince of Darkness" and 2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up"). ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Poor Righteous Teachers offered more Islamic and Afrocentric raps on this album, sometimes becoming overly pedantic, but also keeping the raps and rhymes flowing and the beats moving. Their material's propagandistic tone was offset to some extent by the use of reggae and funk influences, but few groups are more open about their religious and political affiliations and beliefs. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Rappers who take a strong moral stance were beginning to proliferate when the second Poor Righteous Teachers album came out, but this young trio had been "teaching the righteous way" since the beginning, combining hard, funky beats with culture-conscious didacticism. With stage names like Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom and Father Shaheed, the three may have come across as a bit pretentious, but they really were quite serious; their stated goal was to "teach the blind, deaf and dumb who the real living God is." Okay, maybe a lot pretentious. And if it weren't for the spare, airtight beats and the dexterous samples, their lyrics of cultural awareness, self-sufficiency and religious discipline would probably have fallen flat. But those beats are there and so is the flow -- Wise Intelligent's lilting, reggae-influenced speed rap is especially fine, especially on the dancehall-inflected "Easy Star" and "I'm Comin' Again," an a cappella rap. There are occasional moments of self-contradiction, maybe even hypocrisy: though they solemnly preach respect for "the Black woman," they apparently see nothing wrong with using her orgasmic moans and groans to spice up a track or two. But the album's still a winner overall. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
