Black Mafia Life
Above the Law · 1993
71 min · 15 tracks · West Coast hip-hop
A gritty blend of funk-infused beats and raw narratives that encapsulate the struggles of street life in Los Angeles.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never Missin’ a Beat — This track exemplifies Above the Law's signature combination of laid-back grooves and sharp lyrics, effectively capturing the essence of their style.
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Pimpology 101 — Serving as a commentary on lifestyle and ambition, this track blends humor with serious undertones, embodying the album's thematic depth.
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Why Must I Feel Like Dat — This song showcases emotional vulnerability in contrast to the more aggressive themes present on the album, highlighting the group's range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong writing and distinct production that shaped the G-funk sound, though it may not fully reward repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, bass-heavy track that sets a gritty tone, followed by a series of songs that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns, creating a dynamic interplay between the verses.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for introspection and a thematic resolution to the narratives presented earlier.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Black Triangle 1:50
- 2 Never Missin’ a Beat 6:58
- 3 Why Must I Feel Like Dat 4:08
- 4 Commin’ Up 5:21
- 5 Pimpology 101 4:04
- 6 Call It What U Want 4:33
- 7 Harda U R tha Doppa U Faal 4:49
- 8 Game Wreck‐Oniz‐Iz Game 5:12
- 9 Pimp Clinic 6:20
- 10 V.S.O.P. 4:49
- 11 Process of Elimination (Untouchakickamurdaqtion) 5:56
- 12 G’s & Macaronies 4:04
- 13 G‐Rupies Best Friend 5:30
- 14 Mee Vs. My Ego 5:20
- 15 Outro 2:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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