Capture (Militia Pt. 3) featuring Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx
PLAYTAWIN
Riot Akt
(Hiney)
Same Team, No Games featuring NYG'z & H. Stax
In This Life... featuring Snoop Dogg & Uncle Reo
The Ownerz
Zonin'
Eulogy
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 expec... more »t: 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. --Oliver Wang« less
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. --Oliver Wang
One of the Best Albums of 2003, but Slightly Disappointing
withthebeatzwiththerhymez | 01/24/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"For those that grew up on Gang Starr and witnessed their growth, from the amateurish "No More Mr. Nice Guy" to the mind-blowing "Moment of Truth," "The Ownerz" is a disappointment. It could be argued that after creating one of the best hip-hop albums of all time in 1998, Guru and DJ Premier had no where to go but down, and that regression is evident on "The Ownerz." For the most part, the LP tries to rehash the formula used on "MOT" (19 tracks, with a sequel to "Militia" and familiar faces such as Krumbsnatcha and M.O.P.) with minor success. There are moments of brilliance, such as "Riot Akt," "Sabotage," and "Put Up Or Shut Up," and others that make you want to cringe, such as "Eulogy," "Capture," and "Same Team, No Games," with their underwhelming beats and generic formulas. As well, long-time fans will struggle to figure out where Gang Starr stand on social issues, as the uplifting insight of Moment of Truth's "Robbin Hood Theory" flies out the window with "Who Got Gunz." Despite these setbacks, the reality in today's hip-hop genre is that DJ Premier is still one of the greatest producers of all time and Gang Starr continue to be one of the best hip-hop groups around. Like Talib Kweli's "Beautiful Struggle," "The Ownerz" loses points for its lack of creativity but remains superior to much of what the mainstream has to offer. Listen to this album online or borrow it from a friend before purchasing. You may be slightly disappointed or pleasantly surprised. 3.5 Stars."
Gang Starr Stays Solid
phillicapri | modesto, california | 06/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is sad that we are in a society that promotes mindless [stuff] like 50 cent, nelly, and ja rule. I dont even listen to the radio, or watch mtv anymore because all they do is play the same songs over and over, im sick of that nonsense. I wish more people would understand just how great Gang Starr is. The street-smart, monotone flows of the Guru, and the perfect production by Premier goes overlooked by more commercialized, mainstream releases. After listening to this cd for the first time, my fear of Gang Starr selling out disappeared. Not their best cd, but it is great in it's own way, and outstanding compared to everything else out there today. Im very happy to say that Gang Starr is still my favorite rap group, and that they have not sold out like jay z, snoop dogg, and anyone who gets their beats from the Neptunes. 10/10 -IF YOU ARE A HIP HOP FAN, BUY THIS ALBUM, AND EVERY OTHER GANG STARR RELEASE."
Surpasses Anything Produced Today
withthebeatzwiththerhymez | 07/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This may not be Gang Starr's best work, but it sure examplifies true hip hop craftmanship. Premier's beats have again elevated, sounding both crisp and rugged and Guru supplies street commentary at its best. A notch lower than the masterpiece "Moment of Truth" due to multiple guest appearances and two filer tracks (Intro & Hiney). If you are in doubt about the quality of today's hip hop, pick up this album because there is still hope out there for a pure, timeless and well structured sound."
"its been 5 years since the Hip-Hop Classic "Moment Of Truth" , Now Gangstarr is back with "The Ownerz" , a very good release... , they been doing this since 1989 , "No More Mr.Nice Guy .." , and still they have it.. i wanna give my rating for this album ( for every song ).. here we go.
1. Intro , a good start for this great album... , i always loved the line " and all i know , lets get back to the program " , good Intro.2. Put Up Or Shut Up , good song.. nice lyrics , great opening.. , good song.. nice lyrics , great opening..
3. Werdz From The Ghetto Child , a very short song.. , good beat. , 3/54. Sabotage , again a short song , but very nicely... done , lyrics , beat , its all there , 5/5
5. Rite Where You Stand feat Jadakiss , the first single of this great album , and it deserves to be because it is one of my favorites on this album.. , a VERY good beat... , lyrics are just amazing.. , and jada's verse is very good... , 6/56. Skillz , second single , and again one of my favorites on this album.. , good choice to be a single.. , it has it all , 5/57. Deadly Habitz , good song.. , amazing lyrics , just the typical Gangstarr song.. , very good , 4/58. Nice Girl , Wrong Place , I didnt really like this song.. , its just not my type of song .. , 3/5 9. Peace Of Mine , good one , 5/5 10. Who Got Gunz feat M.O.P. and Fat Joe , first of all.. , i dont really like "Fat Joe" , and the lyrics are not to good... , talkin about guns... , not really good. 3/511. Militia part 3 , very good song.. , good Guests.. , beat was amazing.... , 5/512. Playtawin , again not really good... , its just not my type of song.. 2/513. Riot AKT , very good , 5/514. Hiney , Just a skit , I was wondering if this was a diss to "The Clipse's" , "Grindin'" , it was very funny tho.. 15. Same team no games , typical gangstarr song , lyrics , beat , its all there , 5/516. In This Life feat Snoop Dogg , a good song.. , i dont like "Snoop Dogg" he's verse is just bad.. , but Guru made up for it.. , 4/517. The Ownerz , the title track.. , very good lyrics , once again it has a meaning... , 5/518. Zonin , First of all , AMAZING BEAT , very good lyrics.. , my second favorite. 6/519. Eulogy , A shout out to all the dead artists , good meaning.. , 5/5"
At It Again
lakers87 | Eugene, OR United States | 07/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Guru and Premier. Speak those three words and any true hip hop fan will rattle off their top 10 GangStarr songs, lyrics, beats, you name it without hesitation. Do these guys ever put out a bad record? They may have albums that are more complete from start to finish, but not one album has been bad. I will have to say, however, that it is the second half of this record that is the best. A lot of people may not like "Capture" featuring Fat JOE and MOP because of the beat but I kind of like how Primo takes it back to the simple boom-bap sound of the bass and snare. I will agree that Joe biting Biggie's lyrics is a bit weak. My favorite cut has to be PLAYTAWIN. I love the simple organ intro and then silence and then the same organ with the bass over top of it. Guru has some of his finest lyrics in this song ("I'm still going strong in this game/And you should learn to R-E-S-P-E-C-T, or you'll get f'd up/Be-lieve you me"). Another standout is the first single Skillz. The beat is nice and Guru simply flows over the track. This album is what we've all come to love and expect from Guru and Primo. Not their most complete work as it's hard to beat "Hard to Earn" and "Moment of Truth" both of which are as relevant today as the day I first bought them. But, like any Gang Starr release, you definitely won't get tired of listening to this record."