What makes Holy Terror by The Last Poets notable?

'Holy Terror' is notable for its unflinching critique of societal issues, reflecting the frustrations of the early 1990s, which resonated deeply within the hip-hop community. The album's critical reception highlighted its relevance, with publications noting its influence on subsequent artists who would blend poetry and music in similar ways. By the time 'Holy Terror' was released in 1993, The Last Poets were re-emerging after a long hiatus since their last studio album in 1973. This album marked a significant return to form for the group, showcasing their evolution while maintaining their original message of resistance against systemic oppression.

How many songs are on Holy Terror?

Holy Terror has 11 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

Holy Terror

The Last Poets · 1993

62 min · 11 tracks

A powerful fusion of spoken word and jazz-infused rhythms, addressing social injustices with raw intensity and lyrical depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black Rage — This track encapsulates the album's core themes, delivering a visceral exploration of systemic oppression through a haunting rhythm and poignant lyrics.
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Funk — With its infectious groove and dynamic delivery, 'Funk' serves as both a celebration of cultural identity and a critique of societal norms.
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If We Only Knew — This track stands out for its reflective tone and calls for unity among marginalized communities, emphasizing the power of collective awareness.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album combines powerful spoken word with jazz elements, creating a distinctive sound that addresses social issues effectively.

What we noticed

The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a thematic tone, followed by tracks that blend jazz instrumentation with rhythmic vocal delivery.
Several tracks feature call-and-response patterns between the lead voice and background instrumentation, enhancing the communal feel of the performance.
The final track is a reflective piece that contrasts sharply with the earlier intensity, providing a sense of closure to the album's themes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
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 Invocation 2:01
2 Homesick 8:20
3 Black Rage 5:19
4 Men-Tality 5:15
5 Pelourinho 5:16
6 Funk 6:06
7 If We Only Knew 3:28
8 Illusion of Self 8:17
9 Talk Show 5:32
10 Black and Strong (HomeSick) 11:29
11 Last Rites 1:11

What to play next

Listen next

Scatterap / Home

1994

Go back to

Freedom Express

1988

Full The Last Poets discography Artists like The Last Poets

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata