What makes In Control, Volume 1 by Marley Marl notable?

The album is notable for its forward-thinking production techniques, influencing future generations of hip-hop artists and producers. It features the classic track The Symphony, which became an anthem for collaboration in hip-hop and is often cited as one of the genre's defining moments. In Control, Volume 1 was Marley Marl's debut album, released in 1988 after gaining recognition as a producer on tracks for artists like Roxanne Shante. This album marked a significant moment in his career, establishing him as a key figure in hip-hop production and showcasing his signature sound.

How many songs are on In Control, Volume 1?

In Control, Volume 1 has 10 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

In Control, Volume 1

Marley Marl · 1988

48 min · 10 tracks · hip-hop

A pioneering blend of sharp rhymes and innovative sampling that laid the groundwork for East Coast hip-hop's evolution.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Symphony — This track is a historic collaboration featuring several prominent MCs, showcasing unity within the hip-hop community while highlighting Marl's production prowess.
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We Write the Songs — The song presents a confident assertion of hip-hop’s cultural impact, with clever wordplay that emphasizes the genre's role in songwriting.
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Duck Alert — With its infectious beat and playful lyrics, this track exemplifies Marl’s ability to blend humor with skillful lyricism, appealing to both party-goers and serious listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

62 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Marley Marl's debut showcases innovative sampling and strong lyrical diversity, marking a significant moment in hip-hop history.

What we noticed

Rhyme schemes vary significantly across tracks, with some employing complex internal rhymes while others focus on straightforward storytelling.
Several tracks feature call-and-response elements, inviting listener participation and emphasizing the communal aspect of hip-hop.

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: 8/10
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 Droppin' Science 5:00
2 We Write the Songs 5:26
3 The Rebel 3:49
4 Keep Your Eye on the Prize 5:45
5 The Symphony 6:08
6 Live Motivator 4:48
7 Duck Alert 4:16
8 Simon Says 4:02
9 Freedom 4:29
10 Wack Itt 4:45

What to play next

Listen next

In Control, Volume II: For Your Steering Pleasure

1991

Go back to

House of Hits

Full Marley Marl discography Artists like Marley Marl

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata