November 30–December 7, 2000

disc quicks|hip-hop

Poor Righteous Teachers

"I Swear Ta God"/"This Lie"

(Exit 7A)

Poor Righteous Teachers have always been more like educators than MCs; even on their first hit, "Rock Dis Funky Joint," MC Wise Intelligent’s often free-verse Five Percent lesson plans deserted customary rhyme protocol. A decade later, the funky joint is nary a collector of dust bunnies. They dropped four albums in six years (’90-’96), so a lot more PRT wax should be rotating, but glam-rap still reigns supreme over nearly everyone. In the interim PRT laid low, guesting on a few crucial raptivist projects. Resurfacing, they’ve made some changes: a new label (Exit 7A), a female addition to the camp (Na’Rubi) and no more Father Shaheed (the DJ who provided their bouncy dancehall style). All of this lends to a much harder PRT. "I Swear Ta God" features Wise "still teach[ing] the gospel," but forcefully enunciating gritty poetics ("I’m ’bout to raise your eyebrows/ Stick you up for your undivided") over a thick beat and very basic horn loop. And it’s just as contagious as their stuff from ’90. The B-side is a poem called "This Lie" on which Wise recites hyperbole from the vantage point of a ruthless ruffian for the purpose of exposing his spiritual bankruptcy. Sirens and a dragging, dismal beat give it the desired abysmal effect.

—Hamida Kinge

Poor Righteous Teachers will perform on Thu., Nov. 30, 8 p.m., at Temple’s Owl Cove in Mitten Hall, Broad and Berks Sts.