Boogie Down Productions – Criminal Minded (Silver vinyl)

35th Anniversary 2022 reissue on silver vinyl as part of the RSD Essentials series - one of the most influential and original hip hop albums in music history by none other than BDP for 1987's Criminal Minded. The combination of the legendary KRS-One, the late DJ Scott La Rock (who was murdered just months after the album's release) and D-nice, brought forth a hard hitting street-wise album backed by an intelligent, politically and socially conscious approach to the lyrics over the minimal and simplistic beats of the time. Elevating the standards and proving that rap could be a dynamic and consciousness-raising medium, as the album touched on life in the South Bronx, paving the way for what some would call the official arrival of gangsta rap.

Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions, released in 1987, stands as a seminal work in hip-hop history. The album introduced a raw, streetwise perspective that was both innovative and influential. KRS-One's commanding lyrical delivery, combined with DJ Scott La Rock's minimalist yet impactful production, created a sound that was both gritty and intellectually engaging. The album's fusion of reggae, rock, and funk elements set it apart from its contemporaries, establishing a new blueprint for East Coast hip-hop.

The album's impact extended beyond its musical innovations. Tracks like "South Bronx" and "The Bridge Is Over" played pivotal roles in the "Bridge Wars," a series of lyrical battles that highlighted regional rivalries within the hip-hop community. These songs not only showcased KRS-One's sharp wit and lyrical prowess but also emphasized the importance of authenticity and originality in the genre. Criminal Minded's legacy is evident in its enduring influence on subsequent generations of artists and its recognition as a seminal work in the evolution of hip-hop.

Reviews

"When you hear people nod their heads and say 'hip-hop today ain’t as good as that old-school shit,' BDP’s Criminal Minded is the 'old-school shit' they’re talking about." – Pitchfork

"They created the template for gangsta rap with their brutally innovative debut, Criminal Minded — nobody had ever seen a rap act brandish weapons on an album cover." – Rolling Stone Australia

"Ced Gee was one of the most respected, radical maestros of the era, devoting some of his energies to Boogie Down Productions' untouchable Criminal Minded." – Pitchfork