A Prince Among Thieves
Prince Paul · 1999
77 min · 35 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant narrative tapestry woven with skits and sharp verses, illustrating urban struggles through a hip-hop lens.
Top tracks — play these first
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How It All Started — This track sets the stage for the entire narrative arc of the album, introducing key themes and characters with a vivid backstory that hooks the listener.
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MC Hustler — Featuring clever wordplay and a catchy hook, this track exemplifies Prince Paul's ability to blend humor with social commentary on life as an aspiring rapper.
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More Than U Know — This song showcases emotional depth, reflecting on personal struggles and aspirations, making it a poignant moment amid the album's more humorous tracks.
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You Got Shot — This track delivers a gripping narrative about violence and consequence, marking a crucial turning point in the storyline that emphasizes the stakes of street life.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- narrative-driven listening experience
- immersive storytelling with humor
- vibrant skits and interludes
- short tracks for quick engagement
- eclectic beats for varied moods
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek long soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When A Prince Among Thieves was released in 1999, Prince Paul was already an established figure in hip-hop, known for his innovative production work with De La Soul and Stetsasonic. This album marked a significant shift as it was his first full-length solo project after leaving the influential group Gravediggaz, showcasing his storytelling prowess and conceptual ambitions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- DJ Shadow· J Dilla· A Tribe Called Quest
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tariq’s Dilemma (Intro) 0:38
- 2 Pain 2:13
- 3 How It All Started 1:19
- 4 Steady Slobbin’ 2:54
- 5 Just Another Day 2:18
- 6 What U Got (The Demo) 2:29
- 7 The Hustle’s On 1:37
- 8 MC Hustler 3:51
- 9 The Call 0:52
- 10 The Other Line 2:51
- 11 Crazy Lou’s Hideout 1:49
- 12 Weapon World 3:27
- 13 My Big Chance 1:54
- 14 War Party 3:10
- 15 Count Macula 0:22
- 16 Macula’s Theory 2:35
- 17 Mr. Large 1:06
- 18 Can You Handle It 0:21
- 19 Put the Next Man On 3:45
- 20 I Was In 0:40
- 21 My First Day 2:28
- 22 More Than U Know 4:23
- 23 Room 69 1:48
- 24 Mood for Love 3:16
- 25 The Bust 0:44
- 26 The Men in Blue 3:32
- 27 Central Booking 2:03
- 28 Handle Your Time 3:53
- 29 The Rev 0:28
- 30 Sermon 1:00
- 31 Showdown 2:55
- 32 You Got Shot 3:07
- 33 Every Beginning Must Have an Ending 1:43
- 34 The New Joint (DJ’s Delite) 0:55
- 35 A Prince Among Thieves 4:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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