Above the Law, Livin' Like Hustlers  
Above the Law
Livin' Like Hustlers
USA 1xLP 
Label: Ruthless Records
Release Year: 1990
Style: Hip-Hop & R'n'B
Condition Vinyl: Very Good
Condition Cover: Very Good
 
  Tracks  
  1. Murder Rap
2. Untouchable
3. Livin' Like Hustlers
4. Another Execution
5. Menace To Society
6. Just Kickin' Lyrics
7. Ballin'
8. Freedom Of Speech
9. Flow On (Move Me No Mountain)
10. The Last Song
 
  To truly appreciate this album, several historical and technical facts must be stated. First, this album was not, I repeat NOT, produced exclusively by Dr Dre despite what liner notes may indicate. The majority of the production and sample selection on this album was in fact done by ATL themselves and the result is a smoother, more "pimpish" quality to their beats. While the production definately had the clear influence of Dre, the overall sound does not reflect Dre's production at the time. Because of 187's silky high-pitched delivery and KMG's gravelly monotone, samples from both jazz and smooth r&b sources worked particularly well and set ATL in a class entirely their own.

Second, ATL are NOT from Compton like their other Ruthless labelmates. They're from Pomona and their attitude was far less of a "gang" mentality than NWA in their lyrics, despite the association. These guys clearly had their own identity and vision for what they wanted to do. And while songs like "Murder Rap" and "Another Execution" certainly represent the more violent side to street life, they are more in the vein of "someone tested me so I had to show him who's boss" rather than killing everybody in sight. In fact, the opening ramblings of KMG on Murder Rap are spoken to 187 stating "Yo 187 they tryin' to get you for a Murder Rap and you ain't even like that". Another difference in content is the clear attempt to try to win the ladies over by sweettalking them rather than calling them out their names. In truth, compared to other Ruthless releases, there is very little profanity from the emcees.

Finally, this album was released early in 1990. At the time, the personnel problems in the NWA camp were unknown to the general public. Livin Like Hustlers was released prior to the announcement of Ice Cube leaving. When fans noticed Cube did not appear on the supremely impressive posse cut "The Last Song", the official word became that Cube was working on his solo album. No one really knew that "Cube solo" meant that he was no longer with NWA. In fact, it may not have been clear to even NWA or ATL at the time. This uncertainty meant that this was the last true project released from Ruthless prior to the NWA breakup.

So what does all this information mean in regards to me calling this album an "unhearalded classic?" It sets up the listener with the mindset that they need to have when first embarking on the journey into the minds of Above the Law on their first listen. Whether it's the hardcore rantings of "Another Execution" and "Just Kickin Lyrics" or the political commentary of "Murder Rap" and "Freedom of Speech" or the pimped out mackery of "Ballin'" and "Flow On", the listener is treated to a variety of different subjects and styles that keep on entertaining. And with first time uses of beats like Quincy Jones & Bill Cosby's "Hicky Burr" or the theme from "Ironsides", (which Kill Bill fans will instantly recognize), ATL shows that it wasn't only the East Coast that could dig in the crates. In fact, many of the beats foreshadow future hits such as Lil Kim's "No Time". The album is truly ahead of its time but unfortunatley became overshadowed by the impending supernova breakup of NWA and the eventual arrival of the Lench Mob and Death Row camps.
 
      Wish List  
  Price: CHF 30.00   Currently not on stock!
Please check back later or call us for more information:
+41 (0)43 322 02 04
 
  Releases of the same artist  
  Above the Law, Murder Rap  
Above the Law
Murder Rap
[Ruthless Records]
USA 12inch vg/vg Wish List
CHF 15.00 Restocking!
 
  Above the Law, Untouchable  
Above the Law
Untouchable
[Ruthless Records]
USA 12inch vg/vg Wish List
CHF 15.00 Add To Cart
 
  Above the Law, Black Mafia Life  
Above the Law
Black Mafia Life
[Ruthless Records]
USA 1xLP vg/vg Wish List
CHF 35.00 Restocking!
 
  Above the Law, A.T.L. Crime Files Radio Mixes  
Above the Law
A.T.L. Crime Files Radio Mixes
[Black Owned Entertainment]
USA EP ex/ex Wish List
CHF 40.00 Restocking!
 
  Releases of the same label  
  Eazy E, Any Last Werdz  
Eazy E
Any Last Werdz
[Ruthless Records]
USA 12inch ex/ex Wish List
CHF 16.00 Restocking!
 
  The D.O.C., The Formula  
The D.O.C.
The Formula
[Ruthless Records]
USA 12inch  Wish List
CHF 16.00 Add To Cart
 
  V/A, Turf Stories  
V/A
Turf Stories
[Ruthless Records]
USA 2xLP vg/vg Wish List
CHF 26.00 Add To Cart
 
Ana Frango Eletrico
Mormaco Queima
[Mr Bongo]
Arat Kilo
Danama
[Accords Croises]
Barney Keen
Harbinger
[Touching Bass]
BOM
Àşę
[Paper Recordings]
Brenda
Where Did I Go Wrong?
[College Of Knowledge Records ]
Brian Ellis
Ease Out
[Star Creature]
Brian Ellis
Love Is The Drug
[Tugboat Editions]
Bukkha & Ites Vibration
Higher
[Higher]
Burna Boy
No Sign Of Weakness
[Warner]
Chaos In The CBD
A Deeper Life
[In Dust We Trust]
Commonsur
Commonsur EP
[Lovemonk]
Debbie Jacobs
Don't You Want My Love (Joe Claussell / Cratebug Remixes)
[Glitterbox]
Dimitri From Paris Vs. Chatobaron X Idjut Boys
Chez Madame La Baronne (Unreleased Versions)
[Bite The Day]
Domenique Dumont
Deux Paradis
[Antinote]
Electric Satie
Gymnopedie '99
[ISC Hi-Fi Selects]
Erika De Casier
Lifetime
[Independent Jeep Music]
Ewan McVicar
Careless Drifter
[Phantasy Sound]
Figi & Luca Dell'Orso
Mr. Computer
[Bordello A Parigi]
Footsie Meets Bukkha
Pon A Medi
[Bukkha]
Giorgio Lopez
Sud des Îles
[Cosmic Romance Records]
Herbert & Momoko (Matthew Herbert & Momoko Gill)
Clay
[Strut Records]
Instruments Of Rapture
Prolonged Resistance
[Instruments Of Rapture]
JasonMartin & DJ Quik
Chupacabra
[Empire ]
JAZ & Party Dad
DW00:00:004
[Death On Wax]
Jeroboam
See The Light
[Space Grapes]
Joaquin Joe Claussell
IBOGA 12" EP Two
[Sacred Rhythm Music]
Joaquin Joe Claussell
Iboga EP#1
[Sacred Rhythm Music]
Jonny Nash
Once Was Ours Forever
[Melody As Truth]
Kampinos
Good Looking Pepe (Deep Burnt)
[Gamm]
Kinga
Sexy Boy
[Dark Entries]
Konkolo Orchestra
Le Secret (Bosq Remix)
[Rocafort Records]
Kuniyuki / Cushty
Tremor
[Sound Of Speed]
Lars Bartkuhn
See The Light
[Rush Hour]
Leo Gibbon
Orbit Step
[Mudline]
Loredana Bertè, Dimitri From Paris
In Alto Mare (Remix)
[Nar International S.r.l.]
Louis and Bebe Barron
Forbidden Planet
[Sonitron]
Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force
Khadim
[Ndagga]
Maurice McGee
Do I Do
[Full Time Records]
N Kramer and Magnus Bang Olsen
Pastoral Blend
[Music From Memory]
Neuzeitliche Bodenbeläge
Neue Kreise
[Bureau B]
Omid Geadizadeh
Like The Sea Knows Blue
[Wah Wah Wino]
Outback
Strangers (In Our Homeland)
[Symphonical Records]
Pal Joey
Hear Again
[Pal Joey Music]
Pawz One & Robin Da Landlord
Sell Me A Dream (Flowstalgia)
[Below System]
Record Player
Free Your Mind
[Now Again]
Rhythm Machine
Rhythm Machine
[Vampisoul]
Roy Ayers
Everybody Loves The Sunshine
[Vampisoul]
Russ
Wild
[Unified Records]
Sampology
Ripen Vol.1
[Middle Name]
Seven Davis JR
Don't Crash Out Challenge
[Secret Angels]
Sheriff Lindo And the Hammer
Ten Dubs That Shook The World
[Em Records]
Space Ghost Feat. Teddy Bryant
Majestic Fantasies
[Peace World]
Stimulator Jones
Cool Green Trees (1999-2005)
[Be With Records]
TamTam
Where They Dwell
[Peoples Potential Unlimited]
Terror/Cactus
La Pantera
[Names You Can Trust]
The Circling Sun
Orbits
[Soundway]
The Mighty Mocambos
Showdown (10th Anniversary) + 7inch
[Mocambo]
The Outcasts
Loving You Sometimes
[Symphonical Records]
V/A
Manzo Edits Vol. 5
[Manzo Edits]
V/A
R.D.Y.#57 (Ron Hardy)
[R.D.Y.]
V/A
R2 + Yoruba 25
[R2 Records]
V/A
The Future Sound EP
[Metroplex]
V/A
Time For Us
[Black Hole]
Wally Wonder
City Freaks
[Star Creature]
Wino - E
Wino - E
[Wah Wah Wino]
  1. Lexx
Rhythm Of Love
 
  2. Amine
13 Months of Sunshine
 
  3. Doechii
Alligator Bites Never Heal
 
  4. Fugees
The Score
 
  5. J Dilla
928
 
  6. J Dilla
Genius
 
  7. Little Simz
Lotus
 
  8. Mystic Jungle
Sunset Breaker
 
  9. Nu Genea
Bar Mediterrano
 
  10. OG Florin + Melodiesinfonie
Meh Als Null Und Eis