SECTION ONE -- 1 HardC.O.R.E. Vol. 1, Issue 1 Table of Contents Section Contents ---- -------- 1 Contents 2 C.O.R.E. info 3 Cube review 4 Article contributed by Mc 5 P.E. discography by Yvan 6 Closing SECTION TWO -- 2 The C.O.R.E. creed We at C.O.R.E. support underground hip-hop (none of that crossover bullshucks). That means we also support the 1st Amendment and the right to uncensored music. How to join C.O.R.E. To become a member of C.O.R.E., just send your name and E-mail address to . And if you feel liking contributing article-wise to HardC.O.R.E., include it with your application. Or send me an e-mail note. I'll be on campus most weekends to work on HardC.O.R.E. and answer mail (plus read ALT.RAP) I'm audi 5 to my doghouse! "Cursin' wasn't nuthin' 'till a black man rapped" Treach-Uptown Anthem Peace from the X-man. SECTION THREE -- 3 Reviews - Ice Cube "The Predator" New Review scale : 6. Phat - Ten years from now this shit'll still be so dope! 5. Funky - Ownership is the difference between a mack and a mark 4. Fine - If your pockets are fat get it, but don't panic if you don't 3. Fair - It has some potential hits, and at least it doesn't stink 2. Flat - Somebody explain to me why this person even tried?! 1. Flunk - The ultimate diss... PM Dawn sounded better With that in mind, may I present... Artist : Ice Cube Tape : The Predator Label : Priority Records Lyrical content - 6 Musical content - 6 Overall rating - 6 What can I say? Fuck Billboard and the editor, and yet he still debuts at number one with a bullet on both the Pop and R&B charts! I couldn't be happier if I had just won the lottery... to me this is the ultimate testimony of hip-hop's power. He said "Fuck all y'all!" to the mainstream media, and in doing so paved the road of success for all future griots. He has in fact proved that all you really need for success as a rap artist is lyrical talent and fat beats. But enough chit-chat, it's time to drop the 411 on one of hip-hop's ten greatest tapes EVER! Side One Side Two First Day of School Interview When Will They Shoot? Dirty Mack Prejudice Don't Trust 'Em Wicked Gangster Fairytale 2 Now I Gotta Wet 'Cha Check Yo Self (with Das EFX) The Predator Who Got the Camera Today Was a Good Day Malcolm X Tear This Muthafucker Up Say Hi to the Bad Guy 'First 6ay of School' sets it off nicely, with the meaning of 'school' becoming instantly obvious... "Bend over, spread your cheeks and give me two good coughs" Then it drops right into 'When Will They Shoot?' with no pause. The Queen sample is the first GOOD Queen sample I've ever heard in a hip-hop song, the 'We Will Rock You' stamp. That sample works very appropriately with the X-Clan snatch - "Stomping, walking in my big black boots" followed by a voice saying "But when will the shoot?" Ice Cube explains himself to those who didn't about him and his fiery attitude, with lyrics like "Ice Cube is outgunned What is the outcome? Will they do me like Malcolm?... But I'm the O.G. and I bust back (Boom Boom) bust back (Boom Boom) peel a cap" In other words, Cube ain't taking no shit. He has a nice bit of lyrics aimed at his 'bitch' critics as well... "A women is my manager, not in the kitchen So would you please quit bitchin" And he gives his props where props is due... "You missed! And didn't hit the Lench Mob either (Guerillas in tha Mist) Without jungle fever" Following this dope cut is another skit featuring interviewers and interviewees discussing why Ice Cube is 'controversial'. "What is he saying that you have a problem with?" These three cuts are a good warm-up, but the intense 'Wicked' still blows you away. Don Jaguar enhances the track with his skillful reggae chats, and Ice Cube's lyrics are (as always) sharp and to the point. "Looking for the ones that did it But like En Vogue, no you're never gonna get it Cause I'm the one with the fat mad skillz And I won't choke like the Buffalo Bills... Do up Daryl Gates But is Willie Williams Down with the pilgrims? Just a super slave We'll have to break his ass off like Super Dave" As 'Black Koreaa' predicted the L.A. rebellion, you wonder if 'Wicked' might not be another prediction... Afterwards it breaks into 'Now I Gotta Wet 'cha', which is not as intense as 'Wicked', but still a good track "Even if I miss, you don't have a chance You'll still piss in your pants" Not that I mean to downplay the last song, but "The Predator" does a better job of getting my attention. It features the now ironic chorus "Eat 'em up yum in your Ford Muthafuck Billboard and the editor Here comes The Predator" What can you say? Cube outshines nearly every hip-hop artist. The surprise song of the tape comes next, it's called "Today Was a Good Day" "Today I didn't even have to use my A.K. I gotta say it was a good day" The mellow groove is reminescent of Dead Homiez and Lord Have Mercy, yet it works better here than on either of those other two. This song really comes off well. There is a drastic change up here... it goes into "We Had to Tear this M.F. Up" "The filthy devil tried to kill me When the news gets to the hood the niggaz will be Out of their cayun pepper plus bust Kicking up dust is a must I can't stand a cracker in a blue uniform Stick a nigga like a unicorn..." On and on. Cube really gets ferocious, starting out with the same rhyme he used on 'You Can Get the Fist'. Once again Cube slams. Side two starts out with the into, then breaks into "Dirty Mack" with a cameo by J-Dee of LM. I don't know about the rest of y'all but this song was to me the most average on the tape. It gets maybe a four at best. Then comes a song called "Don't Trust 'Em" which, if it weren't for Penthouse Players Clique qould probably be called "Trust No Bitch". THis one is very hardcore and will undoubtedly have the p.c. people upset. But hey, I love it! Six outta six here. Three more cuts are worth mentioning. One is the smooth "Gangsta Fairytale2" which kicks a phat nursery rhyme 'bout the hood. Then there is the extrordinary "Check Yo Self" "Ya better check yaself before ya wreck yaself Cause shotguns bullets are bad for ya health" "Sittin in the House of Pain And no I'm not the butler I cut your head cut chop" Last but not least is "Who Got the Camera" which uses a P.E. 'Megablast' sample in an innovative and hard hitting way. Lastly is another skit/song about cops, very anti cop here. "What kind of a cop killer are you?" So in conclusion, I gotta say this is a very phat tape. Since The Source didn't review it in the new issue w/ Run-DMC on da cover, it'll be interesting to see how they review it next month (especially since they gave Kool G Rap 3.5 outta 5, and I give him 5.5 outta 6). SECTION FOUR -- 4 >From Rolling Stone, Oct. 29, 1992 Copied with no permission whatsoever "Cop Killer" Aftershocks . Labels asking rap artists to remove controversial tracks from albums . by Kim Neely On the heels of the controversy over the Body Count song "Cop Killer," other artists on labels owned or distributed by Time Waner have been asked to alter or remove cop-related tracks from their forthcoming releases. In at least one case, the big chill has transcended the Time Warner umbrella: A&M Records rapper Tragedy, a.k.a. Intelligent Hoodlum, agreed to remove the song "Bullet" (containing the lyric "If you ever, ever put a nightstick up in my head, I'm gonna shoot your motherfucking ass dead") from his upcoming album, _Black Rage_. But the majority of affected artists record for labels affiliated with Time Warner. At press time the casualty list included Boo-Yaa Tribe, which was asked to delete the song "Shoot 'Em Down" from its forthcoming EP on the Elktra-distributed Hollywood Basic Records; rap act Juvenile Committee, which was advised by Warner Bros. to re-record "Justice for the Hood," a track from its debut album; and Kool G Rap and DJ Polo, whose album _Live and Let Die_ was rejected for distribution by Warner Bros. following a company review meeting. Warner-distributed Tommy Boy Records also dropped the Boston rap unit Almighty RSO, whose song "One in the Chamba" was denounced by the Boston Police Patrolman's Association for allegedly condoning violence against officers--although Tommy Boy has said that Almighty RSO's lyrics were not a factor in the group's being dropped. "If you want me to say,'We're not putting out records that have cop killing, and if they do, we're gonna drop the artist,' I'm not gonna say that, 'cause I don't think it's true," said Warner Bros. spokesman Bob Merlis. "There's increased sensitivity throughout the industry, and the increased sensitivity that we feel we've tried to convey to our artists. We've always imparted a cautionary note when we've thought that the marketability of a given record ws dubious because of content. This is nothing new." Although Merlis said he finds it disturbing that the protests by police organizations over "Cop Killer" have had such a squelching effect on the industry, he doesn't feel that the artists in question ar being strong-armed. "The artist is always involved in these decisions," said Merlis. "It's not unilateral." ................................ -Mc SECTION FIVE -- 5 This list comes from my own records, so it's incomplete, but you can check the alt.rap posts about PE to find out the missing ones... Peace yvan =========== USA - 7" - 12" SINGLES & CD SINGLES ============================== * PUBLIC ENEMY No1 (USA 1987) 44-06719 - Public Enemy No1 - Public Enemy No1 (Instrumental) - Timebomb - Son of Public Enemy (Flavor Whop Version) * YOU'RE GONNA GET YOURS (USA 1987) 7464-06861-1 - You're Gonna Get Yours (Vocal Mix) - You're Gonna Get Yours (Dub/Terminator X Getaway Version) - Miuzi Weighs a Ton (Vocal Mix) - Rebel Without a Pause (Vocal Mix) - Rebel Without a Pause (Instrumental) * DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE (USA 1988) 44-07846 - Don't Believe the Hype - The Rhythm, the Rebel - Prophets of Rage (Vocal) - Prophets of Rage (Power Version) * NIGHT OF THE LIVING BASEHEADS (USA 1988) 7464-08121-1 - Night of the Living Baseheads (Anti-High Blood Pressure Encounter Mixx) - Cold Lampin' With Flavor - Night of the Living Baseheads (Terminator X Meets DST and Chuck Chill Out Instrumental Mix) - Terminator X to the Edge of Panic (No Need to Panic Version) - The Edge of Panic * BLACK STEEL IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS (USA 1988) 38-68613 (7" single) - BSITHOC (Radio Edit) - Caught, Can We Get a Witness * BLACK STEEL IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS (USA 1989) 7464-68216-1 - BSITHOC (Radio Version) - BSITHOC (Instrumental) - Too Much Posse - Caught, Can We Get a Witness (Pre Black Steel Ballistic Felony Dub) - B-Side Wins Again * WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME (USA 1989) 9870-73135-1 - Welcome To The Terrordome (Vocal) - Terrorbeat - Flavor Flav - Welcome To The Terrordome (Terrormental) * BROTHERS GONNA WORK IT OUT (USA 1990) 9870-73391-1 - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Remix) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Dub) - Power to the People (Vocals) - Anti-Nigger Machine (Uncensored Extended) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (LP Radio Version) - Power to the People (Instrumental) * BROTHERS GONNA WORK IT OUT (USA 1990) 44K-73391 (CD) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Remix) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Dub) - Anti-Nigger Machine (Uncensored Extended) - Powersaxx - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (LP Version) - Power to the People (Vocal) - Power to the People (Instrumental) - The Enemy Assault Vehicle Mixx * CAN'T DO NUTTIN' FOR YA MAN (USA 1990) 9870-73612-2 (CD) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (UK 12" Powermixx) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (Dub Mixx) - Get the F*** Outta Dodge (Escapism 1991) - Burn Hollywood Burn (Extended Censored Fried to the Radio Version) * SHUT'EM DOWN (USA 1991) 44-74165 - Shut Em Down (Pe-te Rock Mixx) - Shut Em Down (Rock Mixx Instrumental) - Shut Em Down (LP version) - Shut Em Down (Bald Beat Breakapella) - By the Time I get to Arizona - By the Time I get to Arizona (Arizona Assassination Attempt Acca Double Dub) * NIGHTTRAIN (USA 1992) 44-74254 - NightTrain (Get Up Get Involved Throwdown Mixx) - NightTrain (Get Into It Instrumental) - More News at 11 (Extended Gary G-Wiz Mega Bomb) - NightTrain (Pete Rock Strong Island Mt.Vernon Meltdown) - NightTrain (Meltdown Instrumental) =========== EUROPE - 7" - 12" SINGLES & CD SINGLES =========================== * PUBLIC ENEMY No1 (UK 1987) 650497-6 - Public Enemy no1 - Public Enemy no1 (Instrumental) - Timebomb - Son of Public Enemy (Flavor Whop Version) * REBEL WITHOUT A PAUSE (UK 1987) 651245-7 (7" single) - Rebel Without a Pause (Vocal Mix) - Rebel Without a Pause (Instrumental) * DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE (UK 1988) 652833-7 (7" single) - Don't Believe the Hype - Prophets of Rage * WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME (UK 1989) 655476-7 (7" single) - Welcome To The Terrordome (Vocal) - Flavor Flav - Welcome To The Terrordome (Terrormental) * 911 IS A JOKE (UK 1989) 655837-8 - 911 Is a Joke (Vocal) - 911 Is a Joke (Instrumental) - Revolutionary Generation (Vocal) - Revolutionary Generation (Instrumental) * 911 IS A JOKE (UK 1989) 655837-7 (7" single) - 911 Is a Joke - Revolutionary Generation * FIGHT THE POWER (UK 1989) Motown ZB42877 (7" single) - Fight the Power - Fight the Power (Flavor Flav Meets Spike Lee) * FIGHT THE POWER (UK 1989) Motown ZT42878 - Fight the Power (Extended Version) - Fight the Power (Radio Edit) - Fight the Power (Flavor Flav Meets Spike Lee) * BROTHERS GONNA WORK IT OUT (UK 1990) 656018-7 (7" single) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out - War at 33 1/3 (Vocal) * BROTHERS GONNA WORK IT OUT (UK 1990) 656018-5 - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Remix) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (Dub) - Anti-Nigger Machine (Uncensored Extended Mix) - Brothers Gonna Work It Out (LP Version) * CAN'T DO NUTTIN' FOR YA MAN (UK 1990) 656385-1 (3" CD & 7" single) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (Bass In Your Face 7" Mix) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (LP version) * CAN'T DO NUTTIN' FOR YA MAN (UK 1990) 656385-6 - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (Bass In Your Face 12" Mix) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (Dub In Your Face Mix) - Can't Do Nuttin' for ya Man (Bass In Your Face 7" Mix) * BRING THE NOISE (UK 1991) Island 12IS490 (with ANTHRAX) - Bring the Noise - Keep It In the Family (Live) <-- no PE, only Anthrax on this one... - I Am the Law '91 <-- no PE, only Anthrax on this one... * CAN'T TRUSS IT (UK 1991) 657323-2 - Can't Truss It (Goree Island Conga Radio Mix) - Can't Truss It (Almighty Raw 125th Street Bootleg Mix) - Can't Truss It (Instrumental) - Move! (Censored Radio Version) * SHUT'EM DOWN (UK 1992) 657761-8 (Ltd Edition Picture 12") - Shut Em Down (Pe-te Rock Mixx) - Shut Em Down (Rock Mixx Instrumental) - Shut Em Down (Bald Beat Breakapella) - By the Time I get to Arizona (Arizona Assassination Attempt Acca Double Dub) * NIGHTTRAIN (UK 1992) 657864-8 (Ltd Edition Picture 12") - NightTrain (Pete Rock Get Up Get Involved Mixx) - NightTrain (Pete Rock Lirr Strong Island Mixx) - More News at 11 (Funk Minister Mega Length Mixx) - NightTrain (Lirr Strong Island Instrumental Mixx) =========== VARIOUS STUFF ============================== * FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET (USA 1990) C3S-2078 Limited Edition Rapp Control DJ 3-Album Set Not for sale - Promotional copy Same cover as the normal release but in black & white. Same tracks as the normal one but on 3 vinyls + Radio Beat * BRING THE NOISE (AUSTRALIA 1988) 651560-6 This a split 12" with PE on A-side and LL COOL J. on B-side - PUBLIC ENEMY : Bring the Noise (No Noise Version) - PUBLIC ENEMY : Sophisticated - LL COOL J : Going Back To Cali - LL COOL J : Jack the Ripper SECTION SIX -- 6 Closing - I hope y'all like this. I'd like to see the C.O.R.E. members contribute reviews of tapes, both new and old hip-hop. Also, lyrics to be printed in C.O.R.E. would be pretty phat, especially for songs that fit as one of our themes. Lyrics for Crossover and In The Trunk would be greatly appreciated.. One other thing -- if you like it, please tell others! Let's keep this C.O.R.E. thing going for '93. PEace y'all, and I'm out!