What makes Focus by Souls of Mischief notable?

Focus received positive critical acclaim and helped solidify Souls of Mischief's place in the underground hip-hop scene. The album's unique blend of jazz samples and complex lyricism influenced many artists in the genre and contributed to the broader movement of alternative hip-hop during the late 1990s. Released in January 1998, Focus is Souls of Mischief's third studio album, following their acclaimed debut, 93 'til Infinity. By this point in their career, the group was looking to expand their sound while retaining their signature West Coast vibe, attempting to reconnect with their audience after a period of relative obscurity.

How many songs are on Focus?

Focus has 12 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Focus

Souls of Mischief · 1998

44 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop

A smooth blend of jazzy beats and intricate rhymes, showcasing lyrical dexterity and vibrant storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Pay Dues — This track sets the tone for the album with its reflective lyrics and showcases the group's lyrical prowess right from the start.
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Shooting Stars — The song features an infectious beat and clever wordplay, encapsulating the essence of Souls of Mischief's style while maintaining a laid-back vibe.
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Bird's Eye View — With its introspective themes and intricate flow, this track exemplifies the album's depth and highlights the group's growth as artists.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Focus blends jazzy beats with intricate lyricism, maintaining a smooth flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples across nearly all tracks, creating a cohesive sound palette.
Lyrical verses often alternate between multiple members, with intricate rhyme schemes that showcase their storytelling abilities.
Several tracks incorporate instrumental breaks that allow the jazz elements to shine without vocals, enhancing the overall vibe.
The sequencing maintains a steady flow, with mid-tempo beats that rarely deviate from the established groove.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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 Pay Dues 4:12
2 Shooting Stars 4:19
3 Way 2 Cold 3:58
4 Groove 2 Nite 3:24
5 Make Way 3:10
6 We Intersect 3:24
7 A to the P 3:29
8 Bird's Eye View 4:38
9 Stealth Bombing (Shift the Sands) 4:22
10 Step Off 3:23
11 Holler! 3:09
12 Big Shit 3:21

What to play next

Listen next

Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution

2000

Go back to

No Man's Land

1995

Full Souls of Mischief discography Artists like Souls of Mischief

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata