Righteous but Ruthless
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| Righteous but Ruthless | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by King Sun | ||||
| Released | 1990 | |||
| Genre | Rap, gangsta rap, political rap | |||
| Length | 46:26 | |||
| Label | Profile | |||
| Producer | Tony D, King Shameek, Troy Wonder | |||
| King Sun chronology | ||||
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Righteous but Ruthless is the second album by the American rapper King Sun, released in 1990.[1][2] The first two singles were "Be Black" and "Undercover Lover".[3][4] Many of the tracks met resistance from Black and urban radio stations due to their religious and political content.[2] Righteous but Ruthless peaked at No. 54 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.[5] King Sun supported the album with live dates that included Terminator X and Redhead Kingpin.[6] Righteous but Ruthless was King Sun's final album with Profile Records, as he felt that the label did not promote it.[7]
The album was produced by Tony D, King Shameek, and Troy Wonder.[8][9] "Soft Shoe Booty" is a dis track aimed at pop rappers and musicians who treat righteous rap as a fad.[10][11] "Undercover Lover" is a love song; "Be Black" urges listeners to embrace a Black identity, yet acknowledges King Sun's preference for "redbones", or light-skinned Black women.[10][12] "Cold New Yorkin'" samples "In the Ghetto", by Eric B. & Rakim.[9] The title of "Universal Flag" refers to the Five-Percent emblem and the song espouses Five-Percent Nation and Nation of Islam philosophies; Profile would not allow King Sun to include the track on his debut album.[13][14][11] "The Gods Are Taking Heads" features a guest appearance by Poor Righteous Teachers.[15]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [16] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide |  [17] |
| RapReviews | 9.5/10[9] |
| The Source | [18] |
| The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music | [19] |
The New York Times noted that Righteous but Ruthless "marks a late conversion to righteousness; it has as many gangster (ruthless) raps as righteous ones."[20] The Washington Post said, "With his deep, gruff voice and fluid, dispassionate delivery, [King Sun] seems better suited to gritty urban narratives–'gangsta' raps–than to science-dropping."[10] The Detroit Free Press called the album "a highly energetic and fiery package".[21] The Lake Geneva Regional News labeled King Sun "one of a kind".[22] Factsheet Five said that King Sun "is a slick guy, politically astute and musically aware as well."[23] Rob Tewlow of The Source applauded the album for its lush production and lyrical depth. Ending the review, he wrote: "King Sun has definitely scored with a record that will please the hardcore crowd."[18] Comparing him to Rakim, Paul Rogers of Hip-Hop Connection commended King Sun, saying that his "deep-throated raps [...] are perfectly matched by the slamming jazzy beats". The journalist criticized some of the tracks for being "predicably boring gangsta-type rap".[24]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide stated that Righteous but Ruthless is "loaded with gems".[17] In 2007, RapReviews deemed the album "a hip-hop classic."[9]