Hard Knocks – School Of Hard Knocks (CD) (1992) (FLAC + 320 kbps)

Like so many crews, the Hard Knocks (emcee Hardhead and deejay Stoneface) were doomed by their satanic contract on Wild Pitch Records to drop a solid but virtually unheard LP, in this case School of Hard Knocks. Although Wild Pitch’s infamous history of mismanagement and strict adherence to Industry Rule # 4,080 is duly noted, one should not hastily assume that the Hard Knocks’ nosedive into ultra-obscurity is entirely attributable to show biz woes. Rapper Hardhead delivers respectable, sincere poetry but his voice is monotonous and his flow is so stilted that it becomes difficult to evaluate the lyrics on their own merit.

Furthermore, apart from such incisive, cerebral cuts as “Blow to the Head,” and “Thoughts of a Negro,” Hardhead ain’t saying anything new. His neurotic fixation on crooked cops, the explicit topic of at least four tracks that is continually referenced throughout the rest of the record, manages to wear thin rather quickly. While many of the beats are hyper, happy, and danceable Hardhead’s steez just screams anti-sociality; his smoker’s baritone conjures the picture of an embittered old man trying to kick the truth to the young Black youth. This is not a bad thing in and of itself, but it doesn’t help matters that many of the backing tracks are frozen in a 1988 tempo and sound. Although the samples are crystal clear, highly original, and extremely dope, the record feels dated today, and I suspect that it may have come off as such back in ‘92 as well.

Musically, the Hard Knocks are indebted to DJ Mark the 45 King’s indelible horns and Marley Marl’s powerful snares. Their lyrical influences include Rakim and Chuck D, whose timely vocals are respectfully cut into the mix. In theory, this record should exceed, at least occasionally, the sum of its parts. Sadly, it usually falls quite short of that standard, but it is worthy of a forgiving listen if only for “Blow To the Head,” the absolute epitome of a slept-on gem.

Tracklist:

01 Dirty Cop Named Harry
02 Nigga For Hire
03 Ghetto Love
04 Thoughts Of A Negro
05 Opposite Side
06 Road To The Precinct
07 Blow To The Head
08 Hands Of A Stranger
09 Runaway Child, Running Wild
10 Young Black Male
11 Young Guns
12 Strictly From The Bronx

Download:

FLAC – Wayshare

320 kbps – Wayshare