Tears of a Clown
Andre Nickatina · 1999
48 min · 14 tracks · hip-hop
A vibrant blend of introspective lyricism and playful wordplay wrapped in smooth, jazzy beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tears of a Clown — This title track encapsulates the album's theme through its exploration of emotional vulnerability layered over infectious rhythms, highlighting Nickatina's storytelling prowess.
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Last Breath of an MC — In this track, Nickatina reflects on the challenges and pressures faced by artists in the rap game, showcasing his lyrical depth and authenticity.
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Even Pimp's Get Broken Hearts — The track stands out for its poignant examination of love and loss, blending humor with heartfelt emotion, making it relatable to listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical contrasts but suffers from repetitive elements that affect its overall cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples, with several tracks incorporating live instrumentation alongside programmed beats.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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4/10
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
- introspective vibes for reflection
- playful wordplay for casual listening
- smooth beats for relaxed moments
- short tracks for easy access
- emotional depth in lighthearted package
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy dance tracks
- prefer lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1999, Andre Nickatina was refining his unique style after gaining regional fame with his earlier releases. 'Tears of a Clown' comes as his third studio album, following the breakthrough success of 'The New Jim Jones' in 1998, which established him as a notable figure in the Bay Area hip-hop scene.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Last Breath of an MC
The narrative shifts from bravado to vulnerability as he candidly addresses the struggles of maintaining authenticity in a commercialized indust…
This shift reveals Nickatina's ability to balance confidence with introspection, setting him apart in a genre often dominated by bravado.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Rap Gods 2:50
- 2 Tears of a Clown 3:07
- 3 Last Breath of an MC 3:35
- 4 My Rap World (remix) 3:43
- 5 Everlasting Like Infinity 3:49
- 6 Sun Duck Kim 3:08
- 7 R These Your Shoes 3:36
- 8 The Rap Game's Revenge (BOSS) 1:42
- 9 Classified 5:04
- 10 Worldwide 4:06
- 11 My Rap World (original) 3:21
- 12 Shaggy's 15s 3:02
- 13 Even Pimp's Get Broken Hearts 5:24
- 14 Close My Eyes 2:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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