What makes The Last Poets by The Last Poets notable?

This album is significant for its bold commentary on race relations and social issues, influencing future generations of artists across genres. Its provocative title track, Run Nigger, sparked controversy and discussions about language and identity, while the group's impact can be seen in the works of later hip-hop artists who draw from their revolutionary spirit. The Last Poets released their debut self-titled album in 1970, a formative moment in their career that established them as pioneers of spoken word and political hip-hop. This release came during a period of civil rights activism and marked their entry into the cultural landscape following their formation in 1968, positioning them as influential voices for Black empowerment.

How many songs are on The Last Poets?

The Last Poets has 13 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

The Last Poets

The Last Poets · 1970

31 min · 13 tracks

A raw fusion of spoken word and rhythmic poetry that confronts racial injustice with unapologetic intensity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Run Nigger — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its stark confrontation of racism, challenging listeners to reflect on their complicity in societal structures.
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Niggers Are Scared of Revolution — This track critiques internalized fear within the Black community regarding revolution, using powerful imagery that resonates throughout the album's themes.
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When the Revolution Comes — A call to action, this track encapsulates the urgency of political change, blending poetic lyricism with a sense of impending urgency that underlines the entire project.

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 raw spoken word style and political themes create a powerful listening experience that resonates over time.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of rhythmic spoken word over sparse percussion, allowing the lyrics to take center stage.
Each track varies in tempo and intensity, with some pieces maintaining a steady beat while others shift dramatically in pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
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 Run Nigger 1:13
2 On the Subway 1:33
3 Niggers Are Scared of Revolution 5:16
4 Black Thighs 1:30
5 Gashman 2:44
6 Wake Up Niggers 2:46
7 New York, New York 3:33
8 Jones Coming Down 2:50
9 Just Because 1:46
10 Black Wish 1:33
11 When the Revolution Comes 2:29
12 Two Little Boys 1:50
13 Surprises 2:07

What to play next

Listen next

This Is Madness

1971

Full The Last Poets discography Artists like The Last Poets

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata