What makes Face the Nation by Kid 'n Play notable?

This album was notable for its chart performance, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Its success helped to further popularize new jack swing, influencing a wave of artists who blended hip-hop with R&B sounds in the early '90s. Face the Nation is Kid 'n Play's third studio album, following their breakthrough with 1990's Funhouse. Released in early 1991, it came during a peak phase of their popularity, solidifying their place in the hip-hop scene and showcasing their unique style that fused rap with R&B influences.

How many songs are on Face the Nation?

Face the Nation has 11 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Face the Nation

Kid 'n Play · 1991

54 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant blend of hip-hop and new jack swing that radiates exuberance and playful energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Face the Nation — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of community and resilience, featuring an infectious hook and engaging lyrics that invite listener participation.
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Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody — This track stands out with its catchy beat and a message promoting positivity and fun, epitomizing Kid 'n Play's lighthearted approach to hip-hop.
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Got a Good Thing Going On — With its smooth blend of rap verses and melodic choruses, this track showcases the duo's ability to create infectious party anthems while maintaining lyrical depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album blends hip-hop with new jack swing effectively but lacks standout compositions that elevate it further.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interactive feel of the music.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 It’s Alright Y’all 4:46
2 Back on Wax 4:44
3 Got a Good Thing Going On 4:57
4 Next Question 5:19
5 Face the Nation 4:58
6 Foreplay 4:34
7 Slippin’ 4:18
8 Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody 4:57
9 Give It Here 4:53
10 Bill’s at the Door 4:56
11 Toe to Toe (Fat R&B mix) 5:56

What to play next

Go back to

Funhouse

1990

Full Kid 'n Play discography Artists like Kid 'n Play

hip-hop new jack swing

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata