Artist: Artifacts Album: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Year: 1994
Duration: 53:57

A of the Album Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Artifacts

Hip-hop music has been a mainstay in the music industry since the early 80s, and artists like Artifacts have helped shape the sound of hip-hop music. Artifacts, made up of El Da Sensei and Tame One, broke onto the New York hip-hop scene in the mid-90s with their unique style and lyrical genius. In 1994, they released their debut album, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, which has since become a classic in the hip-hop genre. This album prides itself on its raw sound and lyrical content, making it a must-listen for any hip-hop enthusiast. In this review, we will dive deep into the album and highlight its best songs, innovative moments, and any criticisms.
Upon listening to Between a Rock and a Hard Place, one can immediately appreciate the impressive sample selections and intricate production done by T-Ray. This paired with the lyrical prowess of El Da Sensei and Tame One creates an album that is both raw and poetic. The album opens with Drama (Mortal Kombat), which sets the tone for the rest of the album with its energetic production and lyrics that vividly describe the street life that the duo has experienced. Wrong Side of da Tracks follows and is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on the album. The song has a hard-hitting beat paired with lyrics that describe the duo's love for hip-hop music and their struggle coming from the 'wrong side of the tracks.'
Whayback is another standout track on this album and serves as a journey into the past of El Da Sensei and Tame One. The track opens with a sample from the 70s cartoon The Superfriends, and the lyrics detail events that took place in their childhoods. Besides, The Ultimate is an inspiration track that showcases a house music sample from Reese and Santonio's How to Play Our Music. Artifacts' lyrics disseminate wisdom and encourage listeners, making it a worthy 'ultimate' track on the album.
While most songs on Between a Rock and a Hard Place follow the same formula, some innovative parts showcase Artifacts' riskier side. In C'mon Wit da Git Down, the duo experiments with reggae samples and inspires fans to dance. The track sampling Mutabaruka's Dis Poem stands out as one of the most skillfully sampled tracks on the album.
Regarding criticisms, a few tracks on the album may be considered filler songs and lack the raw energy that is present in others. Lower da Boom and Heavy Ammunition have decent verses from both artists but suffer from a suboptimal beat that fails to match the energy present in the rest of the album. Additionally, one may argue that the sound and production style of the album may seem dated and 'old school' to the modern-day hip-hop listener.
In conclusion, Artifacts' Between a Rock and a Hard Place is a classic and essential album in the hip-hop genre. The album's production quality, paired with the lyrical prowess of El Da Sensei and Tame One, creates an album that is both raw and poetic. Songs like Wrong Side of da Tracks, Whayback, and C'mon Wit da Git Down showcase the innovative side of Artifacts while tracks like Lower da Boom and Heavy Ammunition may be deemed filler songs. Despite being over 26 years old, the album still holds up today as a must-listen for any hip-hop enthusiast, reminding us of the roots of the genre.