Artist: Black Moon Album: Enta da Stage

Year: 1993
Duration: 57:45

A of Black Moon's Enta da Stage: An Iconic Album of the Golden Era of Hip-Hop

In the early 1990s, the hip-hop music scene was at its prime, and East Coast rap had already cemented its unique presence in the industry. One of the prominent groups that emerged during this era was Black Moon, a Brooklyn-based hip-hop trio composed of Buckshot, 5ft, and DJ Evil Dee. Their debut album Enta da Stage still resonates with the music industry 28 years after its release, and in this post, we'll take a of the album, its history, genre, innovation, and the best tracks worth listening.
Black Moon's Enta da Stage was released in 1993 under the Nervous Records label. It's widely considered an iconic album that captured the essence of East Coast Hip-Hop during the Golden Era. The album is rooted in boom-bap beats, sample-heavy production, and aggressive lyrical content that showcased the trio's verbal gymnastics and intricate rhyme schemes. The album's tracks feature cold drum patterns with a rough but soulful edge, and the production is undoubtedly a testament to DJ Evil Dee's legendary status as a DJ and producer.
One of the most innovative parts of Enta da Stage was the way the album incorporated Jamaican sound system culture into hip-hop. Buckshot's Jamaican patois influenced some of his lyricism, and the album heavily samples reggae rhythms and dub sirens that add to the grittiness and authenticity of the album. The album's title itself, Enta da Stage, is a nod to the Jamaican sound system culture and translates to Enter the Stage in proper English.
Enta da Stage features some of Black Moon's most classic tracks, including Who Got da Props, I Gotcha Opin, and How Many MC's. Who Got da Props was the lead single from the album and features a reworked sample of Blind Alley by soul group The Emotions. The song's hook is famously recognized for its call and response, Who got the props? I got the props. On the other hand, I Gotcha Opin samples Bob James' classic Nautilus and features a bouncy bassline, distorted horn samples, and a memorable hook.
Critically, one of the issues with Enta da Stage is that the album is relatively short, clocking in at only 47 minutes. The album also has filler tracks like Slave and Son Get Wrec that overstays its welcome, and many of the remaining tracks have similar sonic elements that sometimes feel repetitive. Furthermore, some listeners may argue that the album is too steeped in East-Coast Hip-Hop, which may alienate some listeners who prefer a more diverse and experimental sound.
In conclusion, Enta da Stage is a hallmark in the history of East Coast Hip-Hop that paved the way for future generations of hip-hop artists. The album's signature boom-bap sound and aggressive lyricism influenced the genre to this day, and it's a must-listen for any hip-hop enthusiast. Although the album may have some minor shortcomings, its impact on the industry is undoubtedly cemented as a classic album of the Golden Era. Black Moon's Enta da Stage is a vital reminder of the possibilities of innovation and collaboration that hip-hop has to offer.