Top tracks — play these first
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First Things First Start here — This track sets the tone for the album with its reflective lyrics and engaging flow, showcasing J-Live's clever wordplay and mastery of rhythm.
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One for the Griot — In this track, J-Live pays homage to the tradition of storytelling in hip-hop, intertwining personal narrative with cultural commentary.
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Do That Shit — This track stands out for its infectious beat and celebratory energy, demonstrating J-Live’s ability to merge lyrical skill with crowd-pleasing hooks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album excels in lyrical complexity and jazzy production but is slightly hindered by its interlude-heavy structure.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of interludes that break up the flow of full tracks, creating a narrative structure throughout.
- Each track showcases J-Live's intricate lyricism, often employing complex rhyme schemes and storytelling techniques.
- The production incorporates jazzy samples and live instrumentation, giving the beats a rich texture that complements the lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic journey with interludes
- intricate wordplay and storytelling
- wave-like pacing throughout album
- engaging lyrical dexterity showcase
- for reflective afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer straightforward, single-focused albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified J-Live's reputation in hip-hop, expanding his recognition.
- Themes
- hip-hop storytelling· cultural homage· reflective lyricism
- Career context
- Released in 2002, All of the Above was J-Live's sophomore effort, following his critically acclaimed debut, The Best Part. At this stage in his career, he solidified his reputation as a skilled lyricist and innovative artist, establishing a distinctive style within the underground hip-hop scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aesop Rock· Blackalicious· Talib Kweli
Tracklist
- 1 First Things First Start here 4:11
- 2 How Real It Is 4:52
- 3 Satisfied? 4:35
- 4 Interlude 1 (I’m a Rapper) 0:56
- 5 MCee 3:52
- 6 Like This Anna 4:22
- 7 One for the Griot 4:44
- 8 Stir of Echoes 6:15
- 9 Interlude 2 (For the Babies) 1:48
- 10 Do That Shit 3:35
- 11 All in Together Now 3:16
- 12 Nights Like This 4:20
- 13 The 4th 3rd 5:32
- 14 Travelling Music 3:38
- 15 A Charmed Life 3:51
- 16 All of the Above 4:30
- 17 Interlude 3 (Whatever) 0:55
- 18 Happy Belated 2:49
- 19 Satisfied? (dub version) 1:53
- 20 3 out of 7 4:10
- 21 The Lyricist 3:32
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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