Sex and Violence
Boogie Down Productions · 1992
65 min · 15 tracks · hardcore hip-hop
Hard-hitting beats and aggressive lyrics intertwine, reflecting the gritty realities of urban life and the complexities of masculinity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Duck Down — This track showcases KRS-One's sharp lyricism and commentary on street life, emphasizing loyalty and survival. Its catchy hook and energetic beat make it a standout anthem.
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Build and Destroy — Here, KRS-One articulates the challenges of success within the hip-hop industry, balancing ambition with the risks that come with fame. The reflective tone captures the precarious nature of his journey.
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Sex and Violence — The title track confronts controversial themes head-on, blending provocative lyrics with a powerful delivery. It serves as a critical lens on how these subjects are perceived in society.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive beats with sharp lyrics, reflecting urban realities while maintaining a strong sonic identity.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a hard-hitting track that sets a confrontational tone, maintaining aggressive beats throughout.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the interaction between the artists and the listener.
- The lyrical content often shifts from personal narratives to broader social commentary, creating a dynamic flow across the tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- hard-hitting beats with urgency
- raw energy for late nights
- reflective moments amidst aggression
- narratives exploring urban realities
Maybe skip if you
- prefer softer, melodic sounds
- want easygoing background music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Sex and Violence' was released in February 1992, Boogie Down Productions had solidified their place in hip-hop with their previous albums. This was the group's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed 'By All Means Necessary,' and marked a continuation of KRS-One's exploration of socially conscious themes intertwined with street narratives.
- Stylistic neighbors
- KRS-One· Public Enemy· Eric B. & Rakim
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Original Way 5:25
- 2 Duck Down 3:46
- 3 Drug Dealer 4:44
- 4 Like a Throttle 4:16
- 5 Build and Destroy 4:47
- 6 Ruff Ruff 5:21
- 7 13 and Good 4:26
- 8 Poisonous Products 4:11
- 9 Questions and Answers 4:28
- 10 Say Gal 4:13
- 11 We in There 3:30
- 12 Sex and Violence 4:03
- 13 How Not to Get Jerked 4:19
- 14 Who Are the Pimps? 3:00
- 15 The Real Holy Place 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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