No More Mr. Nice Guy (Gang Starr album)

No More Mr. Nice Guy
Studio album by Gang Starr
Released	April 22, 1989 (US)
Recorded	1987–1989
Genre	Hip-hop
Length	53:28
Label	Wild Pitch/EMI Records 0777 7 98709 2 9 E2-98709
Producer	DJ Premier Guru DJ Mark the 45 King
Gang Starr chronology
No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989) Step In the Arena (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

No More Mr. Nice Guy is the debut album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, which was released in 1989 (see 1989 in music). Although it was regarded as a critical success amid the first wave of alternative hip hop acts such as Jungle Brothers and De La Soul. No More Mr. Nice Guy remains somewhat overshadowed by the highly influential debut albums by the aforementioned artists. Like other hip-hop records of the time, the album displays rap braggadocio, positive lyrics, along with references to the beliefs of the Nation of Gods and Earths. However, it also shows mix of jazz-influenced beats, scratching techniques, and hardcore rap elements, which what would become the group's signature sound. No More Mr. Nice Guy peaked at #83 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. "Positivity" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. The latter, although released as a single and video, never appeared on any of the group's greatest-hits compilations.

Track listing

1. "Premier & The Guru" – 3:26
2. "Jazz Music" – 3:30
3. "Gotch U" – 3:08
4. "Manifest" – 4:56
5. "Gusto" – 3:15
6. "DJ Premier in Deep Concentration" – 3:13
7. "Positivity (Remix)" – 4:49
8. "Manifest (Remix)" – 5:12
9. "Conscience be Free" – 4:04
10. "Cause and Effect" – 3:22
11. "2 Steps Ahead" – 3:50
12. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" – 3:22
13. "Knowledge" (featuring Damo D-Sky)– 3:42
14. "Positivity" – 3:35
15. "Here's the Proof" (2003 re-issue Bonus Track) – 4:35
16. "The Lesson" (2003 re-issue Bonus Track) – 5:05
17. "Dedication" (2003 re-issue Bonus Track) – 5:11

The PRT Records cassette issue in the UK contains "Movin' On (Vocal)" and "Movin' On (Dub)" as bonus tracks B7 and B8.

Singles

Single information
"The Lesson" [Non-Album Single] Released: 1987 B-side: "The Lesson (Super Club Mix)"
"Believe Dat!" [Non-Album Single] Released: 1987 B-side: "Bust a Move Boy" & "To Be a Champion"
"Movin' On" [Non-Album Single] Released: 1988 B-side: "Gusto" & "Knowledge"
"Words I Manifest (Remix)" Released: 1989 B-side: "DJ Premier In Deep Concentration", "Here's The Proof"
"Positivity (Remix)" Released: 1989 B-side: "No More Mr. Nice Guy (Remix)"

Chart positions

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums	83

Singles

Year	Song	Hot Rap Singles
1990	"Positivity"	19

References

1. ^ Swihart, Stanton. "Review: No More Mr. Nice Guy - Gang Starr". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r27884. Retrieved 1 November 2011.