What makes The Devil Made Me Do It by Paris notable?

Critically acclaimed upon release, 'The Devil Made Me Do It' is noted for its unflinching exploration of race and violence in America. The album's title track and others contributed to Paris's reputation as a voice for the marginalized, influencing later generations of politically minded hip-hop artists. In 1990, Paris was establishing himself in the hip-hop scene with his sophomore album, following his debut 'The Devil Made Me Do It'. This release solidified his reputation as a politically charged artist during a time when hip-hop was beginning to embrace more explicit social commentary.

How many songs are on The Devil Made Me Do It?

The Devil Made Me Do It has 17 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

The Devil Made Me Do It

Paris · 1990

62 min · 17 tracks · hip-hop

A bold fusion of socially conscious lyrics with aggressive beats, challenging the status quo through a distinctly underground hip-hop lens.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Panther Power — This track stands out for its direct invocation of Black Panther ideology, blending historical references with contemporary struggles for empowerment.
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The Devil Made Me Do It — As the titular track, it encapsulates the album's theme of external societal pressures shaping individual actions, delivered with an assertive flow.
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Scarface Groove — With its infectious beat and sharp lyricism, this track exemplifies Paris's ability to merge storytelling with a captivating rhythm, making political messages accessible.

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's aggressive beats and socially charged lyrics create a distinct underground hip-hop experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of aggressive beats paired with socially conscious lyrics, often layering multiple vocal tracks for emphasis.
Several tracks employ call-and-response techniques, enhancing the communal feel of the messages being conveyed.
The title track is positioned as the centerpiece, with preceding tracks building intensity and subsequent tracks exploring themes of despair and resistance.

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: 7/10

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 Intro 0:41
2 Scarface Groove 4:35
3 This Is a Test 2:47
4 Panther Power 3:58
5 Break the Grip of Shame 3:34
6 Warning 1:07
7 Ebony 3:55
8 Brutal 3:53
9 On the Prowl 1:10
10 The Devil Made Me Do It 4:12
11 The Hate That Hate Made 1:09
12 Mellow Madness 4:50
13 I Call Him Mad 4:16
14 Escape From Babylon 5:18
15 Wretched 3:32
16 Break the Grip Of Shame 8:02
17 The Devil Made Me Do It 5:44

What to play next

Listen next

Sleeping with the Enemy

1992

Full Paris discography Artists like Paris

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata