Artist: Above the Law Album: Legends

Year: 1998
Duration: 0:0-1

A of Above the Law's Legends Album

Above the Law, a legendary rap group from California, left behind a lasting legacy with their 1998 album, Legends. While the album may have gone unnoticed by mainstream audiences, it was celebrated by dedicated rap enthusiasts and fans of the West Coast sound. In this post, we'll take a critical look at the Legends album, along with a brief history of the group and the context of the album's release. We'll also delve into the music genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and what could have been done better.
Above the Law's Legends album was released in 1998 as their fifth official studio album. They had established themselves as masters of the G-funk sound, produced by Dr. Dre and pioneered by the iconic rap group N.W.A. The Legends album, however, showcased a departure from G-funk, as Above the Law incorporated more live instrumentation, such as guitar and horns. This infusion of live instrumentation not only highlighted the musicianship of the group but also allowed them to experiment with new sounds.
One of the most innovative parts of the album was the track Endonesia, where Above the Law rapped about the ills of the music industry and how many artists get taken advantage of by those in power. They addressed the issue of artists not owning their own music and how they get little to no royalties for their work. This track was not only a commentary on the music industry but also showed the group's awareness of the struggles faced by many artists.
Another standout track was This is your Life. Above the Law took a break from the political and social commentary and crafted a song about the love of life. They rapped about the ups and downs of life but focused on the importance of living every day to the fullest. The song's uplifting message and catchy hook made it a fan-favorite and one of the most memorable tracks from the album.
Legends also featured collaborations with other legendary rappers, such as Tupac Shakur and MC Ren. On the track Call It What U Want, Above the Law teamed up with Tupac to deliver a powerful and emotional song about the struggles faced by people of color. The track showcased the chemistry between the two rappers and was a highlight of the album.
Despite the album's innovations, there were some questionable choices made by the group. The track Gangsta Madness featured lazy lyrics and lacked the depth that Above the Law's other songs had. Another disappointing track was Black Superman, which relied heavily on a generic hook and repetitive rhymes. These tracks were overshadowed by the album's stronger points, but they still left a bit to be desired.
Above the Law's Legends album may not have launched them into mainstream success, but it solidified their place as icons in the rap community. The album showed the group's willingness to experiment with new sounds while still addressing pressing social and political issues. While there were some missteps along the way, the sheer inventiveness shown on Legends makes it a must-listen for any fans of West Coast hip hop. Above the Law may not have received the recognition they deserved during their prime, but Legends cements their place in rap history.
Above the Law's Legends album may not have launched them into mainstream success, but it solidified their place as icons in the rap community. The album showed the group's willingness to experiment with new sounds while still addressing pressing social and political issues. While there were some missteps along the way, the sheer inventiveness shown on Legends makes it a must-listen for any fans of West Coast hip hop. Above the Law may not have received the recognition they deserved during their prime, but Legends cements their place in rap history.