Enta da Stage

Infobox Album
Name = Enta da Stage
Type = studio
Artist = Black Moon


Caption =
Released = October 19, 1993
Recorded = 1992–1993
Genre = East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop
Length = 56:54
Label = Nervous
Producer = DJ Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, Buckshot
Reviews = *Allmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:uptxlfwehcqo link]
*"Rolling Stone" rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blackmoon/albums/album/196301/review/5942685/enta_da_stage 1994]
*"The Source" rating|4|5 [http://web.archive.org/web/20021021031656/http://duckdown.com/magz/BMsourcealbumreview_big.jpg1993]
Last album =
This album = "Enta da Stage"
(1993)
Next album = "Diggin' in dah Vaults"
(1996)Singles
Name = Enta da Stage
Type = studio
single 1 = Who Got da Props?
single 1 date = 1992
single 2 = How Many MC's...
single 2 date = 1993
single 3 = I Got Cha Opin (remix)
single 3 date = 1994
single 4 = Buck Em Down (remix)
single 4 date = 1994

"Enta da Stage" is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released on October 19, 1993 through Nervous Records. The album was produced by DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz. "Enta da Stage" features the debut of underground hip hop duo Smif-n-Wessun, as well as appearances from Havoc of Mobb Deep and Dru Ha, the co-founder of Duck Down Records.

Despite being critically acclaimed and having two singles that charted on the "Billboard" Hot 100 ("Who Got da Props?" and "I Got Cha Opin"), the album sold poorly, and is often overlooked in favor of subsequent East Coast albums such as "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)", "Illmatic", "Ready to Die", "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", "Bacdafucup" and "The Infamous". Nonetheless, "Enta da Stage" preceded those releases and served as a precursor to the resurgence of the New York hip hop scene in the mid-1990s.

Conception

The roots of Black Moon go back to Brooklyn's Bushwick High School, where 5ft and DJ Evil Dee met and formed a group called Unique Image. The two later met Buckshot in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, and formed a friendship based on similar musical aspirations.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/blackmoon.shtml | title = 5ft interview with MVRemix.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 20 | accessyear = 2006] The newly formed group recruited Evil Dee's older brother Mr. Walt, and began recording the pre-production of their debut album at the Dewgarde Crib of Hits at Mr. Walt's house. Their first group release was their 1992 single "Who Got da Props?", which is now hailed as a classic hip hop single.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://launch.yahoo.com/read/interview/12047749 | title = Black Moon interview with Yahoo! Music | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] Black Moon signed to Nervous Records in 1992, based on the strength of the debut single, which peaked at number 86 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart in early 1993. Buckshot soon formed a close relationship with Nervous employee Drew Friedman, later known as Dru Ha. The two formed a management company named "Duck Down Management",cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/buckshot.shtml | title = Buckshot interview with MVRemix.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 20 | accessyear = 2006] and oversaw the release of "Enta da Stage" as co-executive producers. The group finished recording "Enta da Stage" at New York City's D&D Studios between late 1992 and early 1993, and prepared it for a late 1993 release date.

Music

Much of the acclaim the album received was due to the performance of lead MC Buckshot, who originally went by the name Buckshot Shorty. Ten of the fourteen tracks on the album are Buckshot solo tracks, and he appears on every song but "Son Get Wrec". Buck, who was eighteen at the time of the recording, was a young man trying to establish himself and his crew in the hip hop world. In a 2005 interview with MVRemix.com, Buckshot described a day in his life while recording his debut:

Lyrics

The mindstate described in the above interview rules the content on the album, as the lyrics are loaded with violent narratives and braggadocio and little else, as Buckshot and 5ft try to solidify their status in rap. Allmusic's Chris Witt stated that "Emcees Buckshot and 5ft Accelerator (though Buckshot dominates) attack their verses with an aggressive nihilism not heard since Kool G Rap's peak."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wpfoxquhldte | title = Allmusic's review on Enta Da Stage | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] 5ft, originally known as 5FT Accelerator, only appears on three tracks here, and his lyrical content does not differ from that of Buckshot's. Unlike later work by New York City peers like Nas, the lyrical content found here does not peer deeply into social issues or provide much substance. Allmusic's album review stated that "Theirs is a grim reality, filled with guns, weed and violence. Buckshot displays none of the usual gangster remorse, he is a willful public menace."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wpfoxquhldte | title = Allmusic's review on Enta Da Stage | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006]

Buckshot was praised not only for his lyricism, but also for his lyrical delivery and breath control, with his flow and dramatic, conversational vocal tones being seen as original and entertaining.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.ohword.com/features/31/black-moon---enta-da-stage | title = Enta Da Stage review | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] In a 2005 interview with AllHipHop.com, hip hop producer 9th Wonder stated that Buckshot's style strongly influenced his current sound, and that the singles "Who Got da Props?" and "How Many MC's..." changed his life.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2005/07/08/18133267.aspx | title = AllHipHop.com interview with Buckshot & 9th Wonder | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = May 26 | accessyear = 2008]

The album features an original style of choruses, which are now known as "Black Moon hooks", in which they gather a large number of people in the booth to simultaneously scream the lyrics. These vocals were provided by a number of artists, including Smif-n-Wessun, Dru-Ha, Mr. Walt, Mobb Deep's Havoc and the trio themselves. "Niguz Talk Shit", "Who Got da Props?", "Ack Like U Want It", "Buck Em Down", "Black Smif-n-Wessun", "Son Get Wrec", "Make Munne" and "U da Man" all feature "Black Moon hooks".

Production

DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz, who produced the album, put their samplers to use here, lacing the album with their signature basement sound, filled with hard drums, grimy horn arrangements and dark basslines. In the album's liner notes, DJ Evil Dee stated: "This album was done on blunted terms. Anyone who is offended by the contents of the album, FUCK YOU. Nuff said." Allmusic describes the dark production: "The Beatminerz production crew craft subterranean beats to match Buckshot's mayhem. The tracks are dark, layered with muted jazz samples, and seemingly bottomless."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wpfoxquhldte | title = Allmusic's review on Enta Da Stage | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] A few of the samples used here were later recreated by a number of hip hop artists in the '90s. The single "Buck Em Down" features a sample from Donald Byrd's "Wind Parade", a sample which was later re-used for Organized Konfusion's 1994 concept track "Stray Bullet". "How Many MC's..." features a sample from Grover Washington, Jr.'s "Hydra", which was used for earlier hip hop tracks like EPMD's "Underground". Evil Dee and Walt take a portion of the sample and craft it into a different loop.

An "Enta da Stage" review on OhWord.com praises the production work:

ingles

"Enta da Stage" featured four singles and music videos, including their debut "Who Got da Props?". In mid-1993, the "How Many MC's..." single was released;cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:pmem97qkkrst | title = "How Many MC's..." single | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006] it became popular in the underground rap circuit, but was not able to find success with mainstream audiences, barely breaking into the Top 50 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:yrfozfj7eh7k~T51 | title = Allmusic Singles Chart Positions | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006] The third single from the album was a remix of "I Got Cha Opin", which utilized a smooth jazz sample, courtesy of Barry White's "Playing Your Game Baby".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Black+Moon&type=6 | title = TheBreaks.com album samples | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006] The remix featured a new chorus and all-new verses to go along with the new production. The single became the group's second "Billboard" Hot 100 hit in 1994, peaking at number 93.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:yrfozfj7eh7k~T51 | title = Allmusic Singles Chart Positions | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006] The last single, "Buck Em Down", was released in mid-1994, with the music video featuring the remixed version. Both original and remixed versions featured sampled portions from Donald Byrd's "Wind Parade"cite web | last = | first = | url = http://the-breaks.com/search.php?term=Black+Moon&type=6 | title = TheBreaks.com album samples | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006] and similar lyrics, with the remix featuring a different vocal delivery and edited lyrics.

The album spawned additional remixes. Along with "Buck Em Down" and "I Got Cha Opin", the tracks "Ack like U Want It", "Son Get Wrec", "Shit Iz Real", "How Many MC's..." and "U da Man" all featured remixes, which were later included on Black Moon's "Diggin' in dah Vaults" compilation.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wtazqjouojka | title = Allmusic "Diggin' In Dah Vaults" tracklisting | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 26 | accessyear = 2006]

Reception

ignificance

Though not as widely heralded as similar groundbreaking East Coast albums such as Nas' "Illmatic", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die", Wu-Tang Clan's "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)", Onyx's "Bacdafucup" and Mobb Deep's "The Infamous", "Enta da Stage" was critically acclaimed on a similar level.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blackmoon/albums/album/196301/review/5942685/enta_da_stage | title = Rolling Stone album review
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] Though all of the albums mentioned above were able to reach at least Gold status, "Enta da Stage", released before all of these albums, has not sold nearly as well, selling just over 350,000 copies in the U.S. as of June 2006.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.duckdown.com/contactus/contact.php#history | title = Duck Down Records History | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 20 | accessyear = 2006] Allmusic described the importance of the album: "It set the tone for much of the hip hop to follow. Biggie Smalls suicidal thoughts and Noreaga's boisterous thuggery both have their roots here. The album marked a turning point in hip hop."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wpfoxquhldte | title = Allmusic's review on Enta Da Stage | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006] "Enta da Stage" has also been described as "Era defining",cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.ohword.com/features/53/soldiering-on-through-bucktown | title = Soldiering on through Bucktown | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 20 | accessyear = 2006] and was one of the pioneering releases during the return of New York City's street hip hop resurgence of the mid '90s, after the West Coast's reign of the early '90s. [cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=7671|title=Sputnik Music's review of Enta Da Stage|accessdate=2006-07-09] "Enta da Stage" is still prominent among hip hop artists today, such as lyrics from "How Many MC's..." being used as a hook for Jedi Mind Trick's song "Speech Cobras".

The album also served as the introduction of the Boot Camp Clik, Buckshot's hip hop supergroup. The collective was a prominent underground rap group in the 1990s - also producing the acclaimed Smif-n-Wessun's "Dah Shinin'", Heltah Skeltah's "Nocturnal", and O.G.C.'s "Da Storm".

"Enta da Stage" heralded the debut of Da Beatminerz. After producing here, and on other Boot Camp albums "Dah Shinin"', "Nocturnal" and "Da Storm", Mr. Walt and Evil Dee went on to expand their sounds, and produce for popular artists like Afu-Ra, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, De La Soul, Dilated Peoples, Eminem, Flipmode Squad, Jean Grae, KRS-One, M.O.P., Naughty by Nature, O.C. and Black Star.

Critical

"Enta da Stage" has received strong reviews from sources. Allmusic gave the album 4 1/2 stars (out of 5), while "The Source" gave it a coveted 4 Mics. In 1998, the album was selected as one of "The Source" magazine's "100 Best Rap Albums",cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rocklist.net/source.htm The top 100 Best Rap Albums list on Rocklist.net | title = The Source Albums | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 1 | accessyear = 2006] and former "Source" magazine writer Cheo H. Coker stated in their November 1993 issue:quote|"Enta da Stage" is a stunning debut that does not disappoint by any stretch of the imagination. The only term that adequately describes Black Moon's smooth combination of funky jazz rhythms and ferocious vocals is 'elegant madness.' It's nice to see that there are still shining spots of originality to be found in a genre that's becoming increasingly overrun by bogus bandwagon jumpers just out to make a quick buck. Make this jammie a priority.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.duckdown.com/magz/BMsourcealbumreview_big.jpg| title = Black Moon "Enta Da Stage"
format = Album Review by Cheo H. Coker | work = | publisher = | accessdate = April 20 | accessyear = 2006]

Though praised for its originality and production, "Enta da Stage" has also seen criticism for its monotony and lack of lyrical substance. "Rolling Stone" magazine gave the album a 3-star rating, criticized the release for "ignorance", and claimed that the release failed to capitalize on its promise, stating that "They leave blank the ultimate canvas - the self."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blackmoon/albums/album/196301/review/5942685/enta_da_stage | title = Rolling Stone album review | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = June 21 | accessyear = 2006]

Track listing

Tracklisting and producer information is taken from the CD.cite web
url = http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1037731/a/Enta+Da+Stage.htm
title = Enta Da Stage by Black Moon CD
accessdate = 2006-06-28
year = 1996–2006
publisher = CD Universe]

ingles information

References