Pawns in the Game
| Pawns in the Game | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples | ||||
| Released | March 27, 1990 | |||
| Recorded | 1989-1990 | |||
| Studio | Skyywalker Recording Studio (Liberty City, FL) | |||
| Genre | Political hip hop | |||
| Label | Luke/Atlantic Records | |||
| Producer |
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| Professor Griff chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Pawns in the Game | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Robert Christgau | C[2] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [4] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [5] |
Pawns in the Game is the only studio album by the American musician Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples, which included Life (Sean Peacock), Patrick X (Sean Smith), B-Wyze (Robert L. Harding, Jr.), Jim "Obie" O'Brien (John Michael O'Brian), and JXL (Jason Wicks). It was released in 1990 via Luke/Atlantic Records.[6] The recording sessions took place at Skyywalker Recording Studio in Liberty City. The production was mainly handled by Griff, with co-producers O'Brien, Beatmaster Clay D (Clay Dixon) and Kerwin "Sleek" Young. Luke Skyywalker served as the executive producer.
The album peaked at number 127 on the Billboard 200 and number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The title track and "The Verdict" were the only singles released. "Pawns in the Game" entered the Billboard rap singles chart at number 4.
Due to comments made by Griff prior to the album's recording, Pawns in the Game was not carried by every national record chain.[7]
Critical reception[edit]
The Chicago Tribune wrote that "although the music is good, and Griff and his crew are proficient rappers, Pawns in the Game is missing the urgency and spunk that fuel Public Enemy`s recordings."[8] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album "morally irritating."[4] Trouser Press wrote that "although its strong rhythm tracks are gripping enough, the baldly proselytic Pawns in the Game isn’t about entertainment."[9] The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that there are "enough hard beats built into the backing tracks to cover for Griff's sometimes shaky delivery."[5]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Richard Griffin, Sean Peacock, Sean Smith, Robert Harding, John Michael O'Brian and Jason Wicks
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pawns In The Game" |
| 2:27 |
| 2. | "The Verdict" |
| 4:28 |
| 3. | "Suzi Wants To Be A Rock Star" |
| 5:17 |
| 4. | "Real African People 'Rap' Part 1" |
| 3:44 |
| 5. | "Pass The Ammo" |
| 4:28 |
| 6. | "Real African People 'Rap' Part 2" |
| 1:21 |
| 7. | "Love Thy Enemy" |
| 3:59 |
| 8. | "Rap Terrorist" |
| 2:33 |
| 9. | "1-900 Ste Oreo Type" |
| 4:08 |
| 10. | "Last Asiatic Disciples" |
| 4:13 |
| 11. | "The Word Of God Griff On Duty" |
| 3:15 |
| 12. | "The V Amendment" |
| 3:50 |
| 13. | "The Interview" |
| 4:06 |
| 14. | "It's A Blax Thanx" | Professor Griff | 3:15 |
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[10] | 127 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] | 24 |
References[edit]
- ^ Heilman, Dan. "Pawns in the Game - Professor Griff & the Last Asiatic Disciple | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: Album: Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples: Pawns in the Game". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 669.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 904.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 564.
- ^ Baker, Greg (July 11, 1990). "The Education of Professor Griff". Miami New Times.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (April 15, 1990). "THE SINGLE-MINDED PROFESSOR" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ Tanzilo, Robert. "PROFESSOR GRIFF AND THE LAST ASIATIC DISCIPLES". chicagotribune.com.
- ^ "Public Enemy". Trouser Press. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Chart: Week of May 12, 1990". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart: Week of May 19, 1990". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
External links[edit]
- Professor Griff And The Last Asiatic Disciples – Pawns In The Game at Discogs (list of releases)