Daily Operation was released in before mentioned 1992, and served as Gang Starr's third attempt to leave their mark on the hip hop landscape. For the fans of their previous two albums, Guru and DJ Premier made an effort to implement a new style that most of the audience hadn't heard, or at least heard from Gang Starr in particular. In fact, most of the audience was familiar with the sound in general because this new sound released by the duo was actually just their take on rap that people were used to. The jazz influences were still there, but they were so deeply packed in the depths of the song that it would take multiple listens to be aware of it. At that point of course, the listeners already liked the songs.
Guru is the criminally under appreciated rapper in the group, although his rhymes were never questioned when Daily Operation was released. Not unlike the group as a whole, Guru's lyrical skill continued to evolve with every release, as he worked in more in depth disses, girls, preaching to his streets, and occasionally rage. All this was added to his voice that managed to sound as monotonous as ever. As Gang Starr's music was slowly adapting to the mainstream formats, their third album is notable for containing the groups first guest features. Not getting too far ahead of themselves, Lil Dap and Jeru The Damaja (who would go on to have a more than stellar career) were already aligned with the group and only appear in one song.
Daily Operation still wasn't able to move enough copies for the group to be regarded as "famous" but it still sold more than its predecessor, which sold more than the debut. So the groups career was developing nicely and if they still made music up until the death of Guru they would have been fucking rich, assuming the trend continued. While commercial success was modest, there wasn't a group that critics loved more than Gang Starr, a big reason the duo were encouraged to keep their career going.
I'm tired of writing the intro, lets begin...
1. Daily Operation
A very nicely played intro that does nothing more than introduce the next track.
2. The Place Where We Dwell
Reintroducing themselves, Gang Starr decides on using a fairly subtle instrumental with a two second solo drum sample and some scratching. Subtle for Primo at least but it's far from sounding lazy. Guru goes on to give an ode to the city of Brookyln, where he is notably not from. I'm not sold on the placement of this song, as it feels like something you would find buried in the middle but this track is still pretty nice.
Pretty damn boring for a group boasting this type of talent. While the jazz influences definitely take a backseat during this album they're still there. On this track it looks like Premier was trying to hold onto the style that got them noticed. The piano loop brings most of the jazz but this is the only song were you'll be able to see it right away. I love a good hip hop/jazz composition as much as any one but this one wasn't offering much. Guru's talking about flipping the script on his opponents and talks himself up, which honestly becomes kind of boring at a point.
4. Ex Girl To The Next Girl
One of the groups most popular songs from Daily Operation, this song actually has some jazz in it as well. Contrasting his somewhat poignant character in the groups last albums, Guru is slapping bitches and having no remorse nowadays. It's actually a lot more than that, though, and he is able to include a nice little story. Unfortunately, Primo's beat is pretty fucking terrible and keeps this song from being anything great. Sometimes less is more, but you've gotta add a little more than that uncle Primo.
5. Soliloquy Of Chaos
Hell fucking yes. Sometimes I need to play myself this song to remind myself that there are still great things out there in the world. In the most impressive storytelling effort of his career Guru pays ridiculous attention to detail as he tells about random acts of violence during live hip hop shows. He then expands on the story and begins to preach to his audience, making sure he gets his point across. DJ Premiers work is the tits. I've no more to say.
This albums pretty loaded with quality shit but this may be the projects greatest moment. It's a four minute free for all as Gang Starr introduces guest features for the first time in their careers. What's really cool is that each rapper gets their own unique beat, making it really hard to grade the instrumental. Just known that Primo created three great beats for one track, each matching the tone of the rapper perfectly. Remember that it's still 1992 and no one was doing shit as crazy as switching up beats mid song, showing the ballsyness of the Premiers move. Guru's verse actually ends up being the worst, as Lil Dap impresses on his beat matching verse. Best of all, though, is that Jeru just kills his verse and all the members of this song ride off into the sunset.
7. 92 Interlude
I actually never minded these short interludes spread across the album.
8. Take It Personal
Possible Guru's highlight of the album. The drum pattern, three-key piano loop, and straight-evil bassline complement the shit Guru has to get off his chest. That beat along with his monotone-as-ever delivery make Guru sound as intimidating as hell. The mans lyrics shine through beautifully. Not just saying that he's pissed off, Guru fully states why he is mad, what he is going to do about it, and that payback is a bitch. Obviously this song is great.
This song is pretty average for the most part but I've always been impressed with DJ Premiers sampling work. It's a chopped up James Brown grunt but the part that I love is the sound of someone pouring a glass off water. That sounds cool enough as it is but if you look into it it actually correlates with Guru rapping about his religious and ethical beliefs. Furthermore, water is a religious symbol of knowledge. Damn you're a tricky mutherfucker DJ Premier.
10. 24-7/365
Quick interlude but I love the music.
11. No Shame In My Game (Feat. Jeru The Damaja)
Unfortunately, Jeru only appears for a few second before the song actually starts. Honestly though the thought of him over this beat leaves me thankful he only stuck around for a few seconds. His intense delivery just wouldn't have gelled at all. Guru sounds really good though, as his lyrics haven't weirdly turned horrible. This songs only alright.
12. Conspiracy
Guru really made some noise with this song. While flexing his lyrical muscles, he explains his conspiracy theory against America, stating that everything is a plot against black folks. Primo adds some George Bush samples to add a bit of spice, while Guru discusses everything from AIDS to Jesus being portrayed as white. Even more audacious, he unleashed an all out onslaught against the rap industry. This song alone deserves at least a listen for the sake of it being thought provoking.
13. The Illest Brother
Everyone executes their job nicely but honestly, this song just kind of happens.Guru raps about how being hard off will end up leaving you stiff. Primo's beat is slightly up tempo but I'm not really enjoying it. It actually reminds me of something off Step In The Arena. Whether or not that's a good thing depends on your personal preference towards that album.
14. Hardcore Composer
I always seem to get this song and the last one confused, mostly because of the blandness each of them contains. Guru is pretty entertaining on this one though so I'm liking this song more. I really don't have shit to say about it, though.
15. B.Y.S.
Every time this song plays an angel gains its wings. Help one out with one click below!
Might be the only song of Daily Operation that I really just don't like. There's a few that leave me feeling me indifferent but after "B.Y.S." I'm just never in the mood for this shit. Primo's instrumental isn't striking me as anything exciting and Guru is the worst he's been all album. It gets stuck in the middle of the album but its sub parness needs to be addressed.
17. Take Two And Pass
Guru and DJ Premier's weed ode is one of the few of it's kind that I actually enjoy. The tune is instantly recognizable and the beat just relaxes me. Even on a topic like this Guru goes into quite a bit of detail, describing why he loves weed and what it does for him. He goes on to say that he's not advertising marijuana, it just plays a big role in his life. Not the best theme for someone known for preaching to the kids, though.
18. Stay Tuned
I've always loved the way the group ended this album. The song is good enough but the title is what makes it. When I listen to it now, it obvious that Gang Starr finally perfected their craft. The sample at the end always made me happy as well.
Raing: 4/5
Gang Starr's third album, Daily Operation, and their second effort don't share very much in common but they plateau is the area of overall quality. Although some fans swear this album is the groups best, it gets lost in the shuffle mostly, which is a shame. Daily Operation played a huge role in Gang Starr's career and hip hop as a whole. This really shot Primo onto the national stage, highlighting his excellent production from this album. Had that not happened, we wouldn't have been blessed with the tracks he produced on albums such as Illmatic and Ready To Die. In Gang Starr terms, this was their most important album, in the sense that they picked up a new style. They wouldn't get it completely right until the next go around but their "experiment" was still an incredible album. It gets a little slow towards the end and some of the tracks blend together but this albums contains quiet a few of the groups greatest moments. As a whole, it grows on me with every listen and was arguably the best album of 1992. Should you go out and buy it? Fuck yeah. You might not enjoy all of it but I can't comprehend how someone could not enjoy at least half of this album.