Black Business
Poor Righteous Teachers · 1993
52 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop
A vibrant blend of sharp lyricism and jazzy beats that encapsulates the essence of early '90s hip-hop.
Top tracks — play these first
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144K — Opening with a powerful proclamation about spiritual enlightenment, this track sets the tone for the album's focus on social awareness and cultural pride.
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Get Off the Crack — This track combines an engaging narrative with a catchy hook, addressing addiction and its impact on communities, showcasing the group's commitment to social commentary.
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Black Business — The title track serves as a manifesto for economic empowerment and self-sufficiency within African American communities, encapsulating the core themes of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends sharp lyricism with jazzy beats, reflecting early '90s hip-hop while exploring social themes.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples layered with sharp drum patterns, creating a vibrant backdrop for the lyrics.
- The pacing varies throughout, with tracks like 'Get Off the Crack' maintaining an upbeat tempo while others like 'Selah' slow down for introspection.
- 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
- dynamic storytelling and themes
- thought-provoking lyrical content
- engaging rhythmic flow
- consistent, moderate energy levels
- reflective social commentary
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 1993, Black Business was the second album by Poor Righteous Teachers, following their impactful debut, Pure Poverty. At this point in their career, the group was solidifying its presence within the socially conscious hip-hop movement, continuing to address issues of race and identity through their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- A Tribe Called Quest· De La Soul· Black Star
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 144K 4:50
- 2 Da Rill Shit 5:07
- 3 Nobody Move 4:28
- 4 Mi Fresh 4:16
- 5 Here We Go Again 4:20
- 6 Selah 3:57
- 7 Black Business 3:55
- 8 Get Off the Crack 3:22
- 9 None Can Test 4:08
- 10 Ghetto We Love 4:44
- 11 Rich Mon Time 4:29
- 12 Lick Shots 4:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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