What makes Down to Earth by Monie Love notable?

'Down to Earth' received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching number 25 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album is often recognized for its pioneering role in bringing female perspectives to hip-hop, influencing later artists and movements focused on women's narratives in rap. Released in November 1990, 'Down to Earth' was Monie Love's debut album, following her breakout single 'It's a Shame (My Sister).' At this point in her career, she was establishing herself as a prominent female voice in hip-hop, contributing to the genre's evolution and visibility.

How many songs are on Down to Earth?

Down to Earth has 18 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

Down to Earth

Monie Love · 1990

69 min · 18 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant fusion of hip-hop beats and socially conscious lyrics, showcasing Monie Love's distinctive voice and sharp wit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Monie in the Middle — This track introduces Monie Love's confident delivery and playful narrative style while addressing themes of identity and authenticity in hip-hop.
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It’s a Shame (My Sister) — This hit single blends catchy hooks with poignant social commentary about the struggles women face, marking a significant moment in early '90s hip-hop.
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Don’t Funk Wid the Mo — With its infectious beat and clever wordplay, this track showcases Monie's lyrical prowess and her ability to merge fun with meaningful content.

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 blends energetic hip-hop with socially conscious lyrics, establishing Monie Love's unique voice in the genre.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate samples from classic funk and soul records, blending them seamlessly with contemporary hip-hop beats.

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

Influence 6/10

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 Monie in the Middle 3:44
2 It’s a Shame (My Sister) 3:42
3 Don’t Funk Wid the Mo 3:32
4 Ring My Bell 3:33
5 R U Single 4:05
6 Just Don’t Give a Damn 3:56
7 What I’m Supposed 2 B 3:48
8 Dettrimentally Stable 3:27
9 Down 2 Earth 4:02
10 I Do as I Please 3:51
11 Pups Lickin’ Bone 3:59
12 Read Between the Lines 3:49
13 Race Against Reality 3:02
14 Swiney Swiney 3:11
15 Give It 2 U Like This 4:01
16 I Can Do This (Uptown mix) 3:23
17 I’m Driving You Crazy 4:15
18 Grandpa’s Party (Love II Love remix) 5:46

What to play next

Listen next

In a Word or 2

1993

Go back to

It's a Shame (My Sister)

1990

Full Monie Love discography Artists like Monie Love

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata