Gang Starr "Ownerz"

Posted on 06.24.2003

Gang Starr
Album : Ownerz
Release Date : June 24, 2003
Label : Virgin Records

Review :

Gang Starr’s sixth album comes at a time where they’ve become the last of the ’80s rappers to show that they can still compete in a post-2000 world. The Ownerz has all the elements that Gang Starr’s fans have come to expect : flint-hard tracks produced by DJ Premier and aggressive (but not thuggish) lyrics from Guru. When this formula clicks, like on the pulsating "Same Team, No Games" or slinky "Skills," the group sounds timeless. At other points, however, the formula sounds in need of a tune-up, such as on the lethargic "In This Life" or overblown "Who Got Gunz." The album’s biggest strength—or, to some, potential weakness—is that there’s not much of a noticeable evolution since their previous release, 1998’s Moment of Truth (although Guru’s lyrical acumen has climbed a notch). Depending on your view, that’s either consistent or to a fault.

Track Listings :

1. Intro (HQ, Goo, Panch)
2. Put Up Or Shut Up featuring Krumbsnatcha
3. Werdz From The Ghetto Child featuring Smiley
4. Sabotage
5. Rite Where U Stand featuring Jadakiss
6. Skills
7. Deadly Habitz
8. Nice Girl, Wrong Place featuring Boy Big
9. Peace of Mine
10. Who Got Gunz featuring Fat Joe & M.O.P.
11. Capture (Militia Pt. 3) featuring Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx
12. PLAYTAWIN
13. Riot Akt
14. (Hiney)
15. Same Team, No Games featuring NYG’z & H. Stax
16. In This Life... featuring Snoop Dogg & Uncle Reo
17. The Ownerz
18. Zonin’
19. Eulogy