After their high critical acclaim but poor commercial success of their debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Keith Elam and Chris Martin, who combine to form Gang Starr and friends were granted the ability to release a second album by their record label. Without changing up the key elements that were praised in their debut, Gang Starr stuck with most of the jazz beats and Guru's monotonous voice. The groups second album, Step In The Arena, sounds like a natural sequel and was a perfect follow up to the debut. A look at the groups discography will show how long the evolution the duo took but this album played a key role in their progress.
Even with the progress made, fans of the groups output in the mid nineties will still be surprised to see the overall product on this album. Primos signature boom bap style was coming along nicely at this point but it was still a work in progress. Something that is largely unknown by most fans is that this was the first album that was fully produced by DJ Premier, as the debut was a contribution of numerous people. Guru sounds more confrontational than on his previous work but its still not near how he sounded later in his career. He also does a lot more boasting and talking himself up, which makes sense because that's kind of what rappers do. He sounds good on here but he really proved his worth as an MC on the groups later albums.
Step In The Arena had three singles but none of them were obviously directed towards the radio. Still, the album received a surprisingly high rate of success from songs like "Just To Get A Rep". There wasn't all that many but fans of "No More Mr. Nice Guy" picked this shit up with no hesitation although it still didn't gain all that many new listeners. One last thing to note is the albums format. Its common nowadays but releasing an album with eighteen tracks was unheard in 1991. Gang Starr never followed the rules anyway so this shouldn't come as to any surprise.
1. Name Tag
A short introductory track that doesn't leave me enough time to care about it.
2. Step In The Arena
Released as a single, the title track immediately made Guru raise in the ranks as one of the top lyrical spitters in the game. His lyrics don't sound that groundbreaking today but they were a significant improvement over everything on the groups debut. Still, the famous "Step Up" sample stills manages to steal the show. The shit just sounds confrontational and works perfectly.
3. Form Of Intellect
A major theme of his rapping over the years, Gurus confidence is in full display here. His ability to talk himself up on the mic while dropping some lyrical gems simultaneously has always set Guru apart. Unfortunately Premiers beat is pretty damn boring and results in this song feeling like nothing more than an old fashion bit of filler.
Again, Guru shines at having a story gradually blend into the morale of the story. At this stage in the groups career, though, Guru was still the main attraction of Gang Starr and no one was expecting that much from Primo. As made obvious on this track, his evolution in producing was long and somewhat painful. His trademark boom bap wouldn't appear until their future albums.
5. Who's Gonna Take The Weight
Gang Starr were originally signed to their record deal because of their jazz influences on their debut. The group drifted away from that a little but this song is the epitome of jazzy Gang Starr. There's no way around that annoying ass whistle but its grown on me over time. The track ends with some incredible scratching courtesy of Mr. Primo. This still sounds great today.
Guru bring his share to the table but Primo leaves him to little to nothing to work with. Other than a five second intermission this is largely straight rapping for the entire song which makes this go by fast. That's more of a good thing that bad because this track wasn't giving me much.
7. Check The Technique
Just gonna get it out of the way, this song is fucking awesome. Released as the final single, "Check The Technique" all but guaranteed that people were going to buy the living shit out of this album. The drums are always nice on Gang Starr songs but my God do they fuck shit up on this song. Listen to it now, its that good.
8. Love Sick
Starting off as your average run in the mil love song, Guru quickly shifts gears and gives his perspective on a man who is to absorbed in his endeavors that he doesn't realize that he is ignoring his girl. The idea is original enough for me and the beat is about just as good so I have no complaints.
9. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
While not as articulate as other songs, this song falls right in the era when sampling the pac man death noise was popular. I've actually enjoyed the sampling for the most part so its not drawling any complains. Other than that, though, the beat is fairly simple but Guru still manages to sound menacing.
10. Game Plan
Nothing more than a short interlude that marks the albums half way point.
11. Take A Rest
I've always enjoyed this track although I've never quite known why. Guru's rhymes are pretty nice but I'm really enjoying Premos scratching and cutting in the "hook". Guru also bring up the line "wanna buy my rhymes but mine cost to much" which makes me wonder what kind of ghostwriting guru was doing.
12. What You Want This Time
Just a lighthearted tale told by Keith E. Guru. Not bad but there not too many memorable qualities found here. The beat is fairly dull but I enjoyed Premo's vocal contributions found in the second verse.
13. Street Ministry
This is actually a short one minute interlude. Thankfully its not just an instrumental as Guru has enough time to lay down one verse. Would've liked to hear this as a full track but these short burst tracks add a unique element to the album.
One of Guru and Premiers most famous songs, all acclaim is completely justified. From what I know gurus tale of being robbed is all based on a personal story. Knowledge of that has always made this more of an enjoyable listen. The lyrics and beat fits in perfect harmony. Not much I can say about this that hasn't already been said.
15. Say Your Prayers
Another one verse wonder delivered in the time period of one minute. This one doesn't fair as well as the last one in part to Premo's boring production.
16. As I Read My S-A
Bluntly, this is my least favorite song on the album. I guess I wouldn't call it bad but I've listened to this multiple times just to get some kind of opinion in it, trying to find some notable quality but to no avail. Just.... Nothing.
17. Precisely The Right Rhymes
A personal favorite in the record, Premiers instrumental sounds intentionally lazy and believe it or not, Guru's delivery is able to sound even slower. I really thought my version was slowed down when I first heard it. That's cool enough but the reason thing song is so great is the drums. They completely bang and sound different from any other drumline on the album. Fantastic song.
18. The Meaning Of The Name
Contrast to what you might expect, the album closes with a very up beat tempo. In this case it happens to be a good thing. Primos sampling sounds as polished as it does all album while Guru adds some helpful insight on why the group is named Gang Starr. Honestly, I wasn't asking for much more in this outro.
Rating: 4/5
Most people would agree that Gang Starr made significant strides in their second album. The evolution of the groups style of music was huge but not much of it happened on this record. Not that I'm saying that this isn't a much better record. In reality, we're still hearing a lot of the same music from No More Mr. Nice Guy but with richer beats and a more confident and all around better Guru. Even the shorter burst of songs are interesting and added something that most groups weren't doing at the time. The biggest thing this album has going for it, though, is its consistency. There's not a song on here that's alarmingly bad but on that same note there's only one or two that place among the top of the Gang Starr catalog. Furthermore, most of the songs sound very similar and almost fault the albums consistency. Those great songs though, such as "Step In The Arena" and "Just To Get A Rep" are truly fucking amazing. I recommend you give this one a purchase, as its probably the best place to start your collection. There's still obvious growing pains, as the groups progression was very drawn out but "Step In The Arena" stood the test of time nicely compared to some of their other work.