Holy Intellect

Holy Intellect
Studio album by
Poor Righteous Teachers
ReleasedMay 29, 1990
Recorded1989−1990
GenreHip hop
Labels
Producers
Poor Righteous Teachers chronology
Holy Intellect
(1990)		 Pure Poverty
(1991)

Holy Intellect is the debut album by hip-hop group Poor Righteous Teachers, famous for its pro-Five-Percenter messages. It includes "Rock Dis Funky Joint", which sampled "Slippin' into Darkness" by War, a 1970s funk band.

The album is broken down track-by-track by Poor Righteous Teachers in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star

The Washington Post stated that Poor Righteous Teachers "promote black unity, a 'knowledge of self', which, combined with swinging grooves, tasteful samples and swift rapping, makes for a funky, uplifting experience." The New York Times noted the "nimble, free-associative raps over riffs that change just often enough".

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's "100 Best Rap Albums".

Track listing

# Title Performer (s)
1 "Can I Start This?" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
2 "Rock Dis Funky Joint" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
3 "Strictly Ghetto" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
4 "Holy Intellect" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
5 "Shakiyla" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
6 "Time to Say Peace" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
7 "Style Dropped/Lessons Taught" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
8 "Speaking Upon a Blackman" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
9 "So Many Teachers" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
10 "Word from the Wise" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
11 "Butt Naked Booty Bless" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
12 "Poor Righteous Teachers" Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom

Charts

Singles

Year Song Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1990 "Rock Dis Funky Joint" 17 4
1990 "Holy Intellect" 71 16

References

  1. ↑ Reeves, Marcus (2009). Somebody Scream! Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 86.
  2. ↑ Leland, John (March 3, 1990). "The Trick Is Keeping It Positive". Part II. Newsday. p. 17.
  3. ↑ Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
  4. ↑ Andy Kellman. "Holy Intellect Poor Righteous Teachers". AllMusic. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ Mills, David (August 12, 1990). "Rap and the Righteous; The Hip-Hop Movement's New Message Music". The Washington Post. p. G1.
  6. ↑ Pareles, Jon (December 6, 1990). "'Radical' Rap: Of Pride and Prejudice". The New York Times. p. A1.
  7. ↑ "100 Best Rap Albums". The Source. No. #100. New York. January 1998. ISSN 1063-2085. Archived from the original on February 14, 2006. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Poor Righteous Teachers, TLP". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Poor Righteous Teachers, BLP". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.