Holy Intellect
Poor Righteous Teachers · 1990
55 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop
A blend of jazzy samples and socially conscious lyrics creates a vibrant tapestry reflecting the struggles and triumphs of urban life.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Rock Dis Funky Joint — This track features an infectious groove paired with upbeat lyrics that encourage listeners to celebrate their identity and culture. Its catchy hooks helped it become one of the standout tracks of the album.
-
→
Holy Intellect — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of enlightenment and self-awareness, showcasing the group’s commitment to intellectual engagement within hip-hop. Its compelling message resonates throughout.
-
→
Speaking Upon a Blackman — This track dives into racial identity and empowerment, highlighting the struggles faced by African Americans and reinforcing the group's role as advocates for social justice. Its poignant delivery makes it a crucial part of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines jazzy samples with socially conscious lyrics, creating a strong thematic and musical identity.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples that underpin the majority of the tracks, creating a cohesive sound throughout.
- Lyrically, the album focuses on social issues and personal narratives, with multiple tracks featuring call-and-response structures between the MCs.
- Several tracks incorporate varied tempos, with some maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more urgent rhythms, enhancing the lyrical delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- thought-provoking lyrical explorations
- engaging storytelling throughout
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1990, 'Holy Intellect' was Poor Righteous Teachers' debut album, marking their arrival in the hip-hop scene. The group was emerging from the late 1980s underground movement, positioning themselves as voices for social change through their thought-provoking lyrics and unique sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- A Tribe Called Quest· De La Soul· Black Star
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Can I Start This? 5:18
- 2 Rock Dis Funky Joint 5:11
- 3 Strictly Ghetto 3:25
- 4 Holy Intellect 4:20
- 5 Shakiyla 4:00
- 6 Time to Say Peace 5:13
- 7 Style Dropped/Lessons Taught 4:50
- 8 Speaking Upon a Blackman 3:21
- 9 So Many Teachers 4:43
- 10 Word From the Wise 5:00
- 11 Butt Naked Booty Bless 4:28
- 12 Poor Righteous Teachers 5:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.