Released March 31, 1998 | Length 78:37 Release date 31 March 1998 | |
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Recorded 1997–1998;D&D StudiosNew York City Similar Gang Starr albums, Hip hop music albums |
Moment of Truth is the fifth album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on March 31, 1998 by Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records. Gang Starr recorded Moment of Truth in sessions at D&D Studios.
Contents
Released four years after its previous album, Hard to Earn, this album could be perceived as a comeback, with a newer, updated style of the group's already-established jazz-tinged hip hop, as stated by Guru in the introduction. Lyrically, the album is more emotional and socially conscious than previous installments.
Recording and production
The album features more guest artists than previous Gang Starr releases. Collaborations include songs with Inspectah Deck, Scarface, G-Dep, Freddie Foxxx, K-Ci & JoJo, M.O.P. and more.
Production on the album features heftier, more melodic, and more mature beats from DJ Premier.
Commercial performance
The album is the group's most commercially successful album to date. Moment of Truth debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It went on to sell over 500,000 copies and was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 7, 1998. The lead single, "You Know My Steez," became the duo's second Billboard Hot 100 appearance in 1997, peaking at #76. Spin magazine ranked it as the #16 album of 1998.
Legacy
The album's title track was featured in the 2011 Matthew McConaughey film The Lincoln Lawyer. The title track also appeared in the soundtrack of the 2001 video game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2.
Samples
You Know My Steez
Robbin Hood Theory
Work
Royalty
Above the Clouds
JFK 2 LAX
Itz A Set Up
Moment of Truth
B.I. vs Friendship
The Militia
The Rep Grows Bigga
What I'm Here 4
She Knowz What She Wantz
New York Strait Talk
My Advice 2 You
Make 'Em Pay
The Mall
Betrayal
Next Time
In Memory Of...
Singles
Chart positions from Billboard magazine
Songs
1You Know My Steez4:08
2Robbin Hood Theory3:44
3Work2:58