Ain't a Damn Thing Changed
Nice & Smooth · 1991
41 min · 12 tracks · East Coast hip-hop
A blend of smooth flows and jazzy beats, weaving intricate wordplay with a laid-back confidence.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sometimes I Rhyme Slow — This track exemplifies the duo's signature playful yet sophisticated lyrical style, showcasing their ability to weave intricate rhymes with effortless flow.
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Hip Hop Junkies — The song serves as an anthem for hip-hop culture, celebrating the community and lifestyle while highlighting Nice & Smooth's unique charisma and rhythm.
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Cake & Eat It Too — Combining humor with sharp social commentary, this track illustrates the duo's knack for clever wordplay and memorable hooks that resonate with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazzy beats with clever lyrics, establishing a distinct sound within early '90s hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples throughout, creating a laid-back atmosphere that complements the smooth vocal delivery.
- Tracks often incorporate call-and-response structures, allowing for interactive engagement with the listener.
- Several songs include playful wordplay and humor, particularly in the lyrics of 'Sometimes I Rhyme Slow', which showcases intricate rhyme schemes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo grooves
- laid-back vibe for relaxation
- clever wordplay for engagement
- for casual listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer fast-paced experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1991, Ain't a Damn Thing Changed marked Nice & Smooth's second album following their self-titled debut in 1990. At this point in their career, they were establishing their unique sound within the East Coast hip-hop scene, gaining traction with audiences through their clever lyricism and catchy hooks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nas· Kool G Rap· Kool Keith
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Harmonize 3:33
- 2 Cake & Eat It Too 3:48
- 3 Down the Line 4:17
- 4 Sometimes I Rhyme Slow 2:52
- 5 Paranoia 4:46
- 6 Sex, Sex, Sex 3:40
- 7 “Billy-Gene” 1:06
- 8 How to Flow 4:25
- 9 Hip Hop Junkies 3:29
- 10 One, Two and One More Makes Three 3:24
- 11 Pump It Up 2:43
- 12 Step by Step 3:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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