Black Bastards

2000 studio album by KMD From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black Bastards is the second and final studio album by American hip-hop group KMD, recorded in 1993 and eventually released on May 15, 2000, through Readyrock Records.[4] Initially, the album was scheduled for release in May 1994, but Elektra Records canceled the album, reportedly due to the controversial cover art, which shows a Sambo figure being lynched, even though the catalog number 61535 was assigned to the release.[5] Zev Love X's brother DJ Subroc was killed when he was struck by a car shortly before the album was completed, and subsequent releases of the album have featured dedications to him.

ReleasedMay 15, 2000[1]
Recorded1991 – August 1993
StudioChung King Studios, New York, New York
Quick facts Studio album by KMD, Released ...
Black Bastards
an early 20th century -styled racist caricature of a black person hanging from a gallows, with the title underneath in the style of hangman
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 15, 2000[1]
Recorded1991 – August 1993
StudioChung King Studios, New York, New York
Genre
Length44:07
Label
Producer
KMD chronology
Black Bastards Ruffs + Rares
(1998)
Black Bastards
(2000)
Best of KMD
(2003)
MF Doom chronology
Operation: Doomsday
(1999)
Black Bastards
(2000)
MF EP
(2000)
Singles from Black Bastards
  1. "What a Nigga Know?"
    Released: March 8, 1994[2]
  2. "It Sounded Like a Roc"
    Released: 1999[3]
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Elektra released promotional copies of Black Bastards and a single of "What a Nigga Know?" prior to the album's cancellation.[6] After KMD's disbandment, rarities and demo tracks recorded during the making of Black Bastards were released on a vinyl-only EP titled Black Bastards Ruffs + Rares in 1998. The album was re-released in 2001 by Sub Verse Music[7] and again in 2008 by MF Doom's own Metalface Records.[8]

Critical reception

More information Review scores, Source ...
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarHalf star[9]
Robert ChristgauA−[10]
Pitchfork8.4/10[8]
RapReviews6.5/10[11]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarHalf star[12]
Spin7/10[13]
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The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. Douglas Siwek of AllMusic said, "The sound of the record is very raw and sounds unfinished due to Elektra shelving the project, but it doesn't take away from the magic that would have made this a suitable follow-up [to KMD's debut album, Mr. Hood]." Steven Juon of RapReviews praised the album's lyrics but mentioned he "wish[ed] they would have taken a little more care in mastering and recording".[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Dingilizwe Dumile and Daniel Dumile.

More information No., Title ...
Side 0
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
0."Garbage Day #3"Subroc2:14
1."Get-U-Now"Subroc2:27
2."What a Nigga Know?"KMD3:26
3."Sweet Premium Wine"Subroc3:09
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More information No., Title ...
Side 1
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
4."Plumskinzz. (Loose Hoe, God & Cupid)"KMD1:43
5."Smokin' That S*#%"Subroc4:40
6."Contact Blitt"Zev Love X2:42
7."Gimme"KMD3:50
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More information No., Title ...
Side 2
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
8."Black Bastards!"Subroc4:00
9."It Sounded Like a Roc"Subroc4:34
10."Plumskinzz. (Oh No I Don't Believe It!)"Subroc1:40
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More information No., Title ...
Side 3
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
11."Constipated Monkey"
  • KMD
  • Q4
2:47
12."F*#@ Wit' Ya Head"KMD4:35
13."Suspended Animation"KMD2:20
Total length:44:07
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More information No., Title ...
Side 3 (2001 Sub Verse Music re-release)[14]
No.TitleLength
15."What a Nigga Know?" (Remix) (feat. MF Grimm)3:36
16."Q3-113" (Bonus Track)1:11
Total length:48:54
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Personnel

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[15]

Personnel

Additional personnel

  • The CMOB – additional vocals
  • Earthquake – additional vocals
  • H2O – additional vocals
  • J.Alvarez – additional vocals
  • Lord Sear – additional vocals
  • B.Thompson – bass guitar (11)
  • Q4 – co-production (11)
  • Sub – executive production
  • Doom – executive production
  • Cas – executive production
  • Jay-G – executive production
  • Yuri – executive production

Artwork

  • The EMEF – cover illustration
  • Scotch 79th – visuals

References

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