What makes Break of Dawn by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock notable?

The album features the hit single Get Your Hands Up, which became a staple in clubs and helped solidify Rob Base's reputation as a key figure in hip-hop. Despite mixed critical reviews, it contributed to the visibility of East Coast hip-hop during a period when West Coast rap was dominating the charts. Break of Dawn is the third studio album by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, released after their commercially successful 1989 debut, It Takes Two. By 1994, the duo was navigating a changing hip-hop landscape marked by growing competition and evolving sounds. This album reflects their ongoing commitment to the dance-oriented style that originally brought them fame.

How many songs are on Break of Dawn?

Break of Dawn has 15 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Break of Dawn

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock · 1994

35 min · 15 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of hip-hop beats and playful samples that captures the exuberance of the early '90s party scene.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Get Your Hands Up — This track stands out for its infectious hook and energetic beat, making it a quintessential party anthem that showcases the duo's ability to energize crowds.
→
Break of Dawn — The title track encapsulates the album's spirit with its lively production and catchy lyrics, embodying the celebration of life that runs throughout the record.
→
Let the Funk Flow — This track exemplifies the funk influences in their sound, combining rhythmic grooves with clever wordplay, making it an essential listen for fans of classic hip-hop.
→
Run Things — Showcasing sharp lyricism over an upbeat backdrop, this track highlights the duo's distinctive style while maintaining a lighthearted vibe that resonates with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

40 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The album captures a lively party vibe but struggles with cohesion due to frequent interludes.

What we noticed

The album features multiple interludes that disrupt the flow, with four distinct interludes scattered throughout the tracklist.
Tracks like 'Get Your Hands Up' and 'Let the Funk Flow' utilize energetic samples and repetitive hooks to create a party atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

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 Interlude 0:25
2 Break of Dawn 3:40
3 Interlude 0:31
4 Run Things 2:43
5 Let the Funk Flow 3:15
6 Symphony 3:21
7 Interlude 0:15
8 Are You With Me? 4:30
9 Bike Tights 2:45
10 Interlude 0:26
11 Make It Hot 3:04
12 Chillin’ 3:50
13 I’m Comin’… I’m Comin’… I Came 3:22
14 Interlude 0:17
15 Get Your Hands Up 3:17

What to play next

Go back to

The Incredible Base

1989

Full Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock discography Artists like Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata