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Master Release

Shortcut Code: [m24301]
Data Quality Rating: Needs Vote
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Ratings

4.57 / 5 (166 votes)

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116 want this

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Gang Starr - Hard To Earn

Genre:
Hip Hop
Year:
1993

Tracklist

Intro (The First Step) 0:54 X
ALONGWAYTOGO 4:13 X
Code Of The Streets 3:29 X
Brainstorm 3:02 X
Tonz 'O' Gunz 3:55 X
The Planet 5:16 X
Aiiight Chill... 3:13 X
Speak Ya Clout 3:35 X
DWYCK 4:03 X
Words From The Nutcracker 1:29 X
Mass Appeal 3:41
Blowin' Up The Spot 3:10 X
Suckas Need Bodyguards 4:05 X
Now You're Mine 2:55 X
Mostly Tha Voice 3:38 X
F.A.L.A. 4:17 X
Comin' For Datazz 4:02 X

Versions

Title, FormatLabelCat#CountryYear
Hard To Earn (CD, Album) Chrysalis, Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 2 8, F2-28435 US 1994
Hard To Earn (Cass, Promo) Chrysalis - UK 1993
Hard To Earn (2xLP) Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 1 1 UK 1994
Hard To Earn (2xLP) Chrysalis F1 28435 US 1994
Hard To Earn (CD) Chrysalis, Columbia House CDP-528435 US 1994
Hard To Earn (CD) Toshiba EMI Ltd TOCP-8194 Japan 1994
Hard To Earn (CD, Album) Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 2 8 Europe 1994
Hard To Earn (CD, Album) BMG Direct Marketing, Inc., Chrysalis D 102725, F2-28435 US 1994
Hard To Earn (Cass) Chrysalis CTTC 38 UK 1994
Hard To Earn (Cass) Chrysalis F4 28435 Canada 1994
Hard To Earn (2xLP, RE) Chrysalis 7243 8 28435 1 1 UK 2001
Hard To Earn (Instrumentals) (LP) Not On Label GSRLP-371 US  
▸ show all 3 reviews

Reviews & Discussion

Rated 4/5
Review by killabill Jun 29, 2009

referencing Hard To Earn, CD, Album, 7243 8 28435 2 8, F2-28435

This is a dark, gritty, hip-hop album, and it's one f my favorites from the 90's.

The first 4 songs are relentless dope hip-hop. Guru's voice is noticebly deeper and raspier then previous records. Lyrically he is improved on this record, spitting about social and political themes, as well as the pitfalls of the music industry ("Mass Appeal").

This is a classic and a must have for hip-hop fans. My favorites are "Alongwaytogo," "Tons O' Guns," "Brainstorm," and "Code Of The Streets."
Review by mattgray1 May 24, 2009

referencing Hard To Earn, CD, Album, 7243 8 28435 2 8, F2-28435

DJ Premier really heralded in a new era in hip hop with one swift stroke when this album came out. I remember just waiting on each song to begin and being blown away each time by these visceral, chopped up and destroyed samples over some metronomic beats from space with guru's precise street commentary and braggin raps. Things haven't really changed that much since this release, perhaps that is a reflection of this albums greatness. Easily a hip hop classic.
Rated 5/5
Review by symixosis Jan 27, 2008

referencing Hard To Earn, 2xLP, F1 28435

One of the most underrated Hip Hop albums ever. In my opinion this is as close as you can get to a perfect Hip Hop album. Raw, pure, definition of real New York rap. DJ Premier at and Guru both at the peak of their respective games. Track after track of perfectly constructed minimalist sample-driven boom bap perfection. Definitely in my top 5 Hip Hop albums of all time. When people put albums by Dr. Dre and NWA and The DOC above albums like this, I have to question their understanding of what Hip Hop is SUPPOSED to sound like.