Poor Righteous Teachers

Infobox musical artist
Name = Poor Righteous Teachers


Img_capt = (left to right) Father Shaheed, Culture Freedom and Wise Intelligent
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Trenton, New Jersey
Genre = Hip hop
Years_active = 1989–1996, 2001
Label = Profile Records
Current_members = Wise Intelligent
Culture Freedom
Father Shaheed
Past_members =

Poor Righteous Teachers are a Hip Hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989. Often referred to as PRT by their fans, Poor Righteous Teachers are known as pro-Black conscious hip hop artists, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, as the lead MC, is the most visible and well known member of the group. Culture Freedom provides backing vocals and production and Father Shaheed serves as a DJ and producer. Its discography, for the most part on Profile Records, is out of print.

Career

PRT debuted in 1989 with the release of the single "Time to Say Peace" b/w "Butt Naked Booty Bless". The trio released their first album, "Holy Intellect", in 1990, amidst a number of similarly pro-Black, Islam-inspired albums such as Public Enemy's "Fear of a Black Planet", X-Clan's "To the East, Blackwards" and Brand Nubian's "One For All". [ [http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll allmusic ] ] While not as commercially successful as these albums, "Holy Intellect" received critical acclaim, and spawned the group's only major radio hit, "Rock Dis Funky Joint". PRT returned in 1991 with their second album, "Pure Poverty". The album was not as commercially successful than their debut, and was not as acclaimed. The lead single "Shakiyla (JRH)", became a minor rap hit that year. Their third, and possibly most successful release to date, "Black Business", was released in 1993. Sales were once again limited, but the album was a critical success. The album's lead single, "Nobody Move", received little radio airplay. Wise Intelligent released his first solo album, "Killin' U for Fun", in early 1996, and was met with mixed reviews and no significant amount of sales, failing to reach any Billboard album chart. After a three-year hiatus, PRT returned as a group in 1996 with their fourth album, "The New World Order". Released in a new Hip Hop era, the album received little attention, failing to reach the Billboard 200 album chart. The album's lead single, "Word Iz Life", was barely able to reach the Hot Rap Singles chart, peaking at the chart's lowest position, #50. Despite the lack of significant attention, the album, like their past releases, received significant acclaim.

PRT had a short feud with rapper YZ over reels of tapes which YZ would not give back to their owner, PRT. [ [http://www.cocaineblunts.com/blunts/?p=282 Cocaine Blunts & Hip Hop Tapes » Blog Archive » Wise Intelligent Interview ] ]

Post-Career

Wise Intelligent has had the most success as a solo artist, releasing solo albums "Killin' U... For Fun" in 1996 and "The Talented Timothy Taylor" in 2007. [ [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Wise+Intelligent Wise Intelligent ] ] The group didn't return until 2001, when they dropped the rare underground release "Declaration of Independence". In 2006, Cha-Ching Records released "Rare & Unreleased", a compilation of rare Poor Righteous Teachers songs and remixes. [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/723380 Poor Righteous Teachers - Rare & Unrealeased ] ] Wise Intelligent released a mixtape in 2006 titled "Blessed Be the Poor?" Wise Intelligent has also appeared as a featured artist, most notably on two songs in 2006: Jel's song "WMD" from "Soft Money", and "Black" from Oh No's "Exodus into Unheard Rhythms".

Discography

External links

* [http://www.blackelectorate.com/articles.asp?ID=1371 2005 Wise Intelligent Interview]
* [http://www.cocaineblunts.com/blunts/?p=282 2006 Wise Intelligent Interview]
* [http://www.myspace.com/wiseintelligent Myspace]
*http://www.purevolume.com/wiseintelligent
* [http://www.facebook.com/wiseintelligent Facebook]
*http://www.intelligentmuzik.com
* [http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/Wise-Intelligent-poor-righteous-teachers/index.php Wise Intelligent interview ]

References