What makes Sleeping with the Enemy by Paris notable?

The album is significant for its bold political commentary, particularly regarding systemic racism and violence against marginalized communities. Tracks like 'Bush Killa' sparked controversy, leading to censorship discussions while showcasing Paris's influence in the burgeoning genre of conscious rap. Released in 1992, Sleeping with the Enemy marked Paris's second studio album, following his impactful debut, The Devil Made Me Do It. At this point, he was establishing his reputation as a politically charged voice in hip-hop, building on the momentum gained from his earlier work and gaining traction within the genre.

How many songs are on Sleeping with the Enemy?

Sleeping with the Enemy has 16 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

Sleeping with the Enemy

Paris · 1992

55 min · 16 tracks · hip-hop

Provocative beats and sharp lyrics merge to challenge political norms and societal issues with unflinching clarity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bush Killa — This track stands out for its confrontational critique of political figures and systemic oppression, pushing boundaries in rap's engagement with sociopolitical issues.
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House Niggas Bleed Too — The song employs stark imagery to address internalized racism and the struggles within the African American community, making it a vital part of the album's thematic intensity.
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Sleeping With the Enemy — The title track encapsulates the album's essence by blending personal narratives with broader societal critiques, emphasizing the duality of living amidst oppression.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album's sharp political commentary and aggressive beats create a distinctive sound within its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of aggressive beats that underpin politically charged lyrics, creating a confrontational atmosphere.
Tracks often blend samples from various genres, enhancing the lyrical themes with musical references that resonate with the message.
Several tracks, such as 'Bush Killa', employ a call-and-response structure, engaging listeners directly and emphasizing the urgency of the commentary.

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: 5/10

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 The Enema (live at the White House) 1:54
2 Make Way for a Panther 2:28
3 Sleeping With the Enemy 2:41
4 House Niggas Bleed Too 1:32
5 Bush Killa 4:51
6 Coffee, Donuts & Death 3:53
7 Thinka ’Bout It 4:26
8 Guerrillas in the Mist 3:11
9 The Days of Old 4:19
10 Long Hot Summer 1:42
11 Conspiracy of Silence 3:41
12 Funky Lil’ Party 2:51
13 Check It Out Ch'All 3:29
14 Rise 1:12
15 Assata’s Song 5:03
16 Bush Killa (Hellraiser mix) 8:23

What to play next

Listen next

Guerrilla Funk

1994

Go back to

The Devil Made Me Do It

1990

Full Paris discography Artists like Paris

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata