What makes At Your Own Risk by King Tee notable?

At Your Own Risk is notable for its impact on the burgeoning gangsta rap movement, offering a more sophisticated lyrical approach compared to contemporaries. The album received positive reviews and helped elevate King Tee's profile, influencing later artists in the genre and contributing to the mainstream acceptance of West Coast hip-hop. Released in 1990, At Your Own Risk was King Tee's sophomore album, following his debut, Act a Fool, which had begun to establish him as a key figure in the West Coast rap scene. This album further solidified his reputation, showcasing his distinctive style and ability to weave intricate narratives into his rhymes.

How many songs are on At Your Own Risk?

At Your Own Risk has 14 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

At Your Own Risk

King Tee · 1990

48 min · 14 tracks · gangsta rap

A gritty exploration of West Coast hip-hop with sharp lyricism and a blend of funk and laid-back grooves.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
At Your Own Risk — The title track encapsulates King Tee's confident delivery and clever wordplay, setting the tone for the entire album while addressing themes of personal accountability.
→
Ruff Rhyme (Back Again) — This track stands out for its infectious beat and showcases King Tee's lyrical dexterity, making it a quintessential example of his unique flow within the genre.
→
Skanless — With its catchy hook and playful lyrics, 'Skanless' exemplifies the party vibe of the album while still delivering sharp commentary on social dynamics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid writing and production but lacks the standout tracks that would elevate its impact.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken introduction that sets a gritty tone, followed by tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo groove.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
The production incorporates funk samples and laid-back beats, creating a relaxed yet assertive atmosphere throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Introduction 2:25
2 At Your Own Risk 4:06
3 Ruff Rhyme (Back Again) 3:31
4 On the Dance Tip 4:07
5 Jay Fay Dray 1:06
6 Skanless 4:20
7 Take You Home 4:20
8 Diss You 4:15
9 Time to Get Out 3:29
10 Can This Be Real 3:45
11 E Get Swift 3:50
12 Do Your Thing 1:38
13 King Tee Production 2:34
14 Played Like a Piano 4:58

What to play next

Listen next

Tha Triflin' Album

1993

Go back to

Act a Fool

1988

Full King Tee discography Artists like King Tee

West Coast hip-hop gangsta rap

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata