Attack of the Attacking Things

Attack of the Attacking Things
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 23, 2002
GenreUnderground hip hop, alternative hip hop[1]
Length43:23
LabelThird Earth Music
ProducerNasain Nahmeen, Mr. Len, Masta Ace, Da Beatminerz, Ev Price, Koichiro
Jean Grae chronology
Attack of the Attacking Things
(2002)
The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP
(2003)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[2]
HipHopDX[3]
Pitchfork Media6.9/10[4]
RapReviews9/10[5]
Spin8/10[6]
Vibe[7]

Attack of the Attacking Things is the debut album by American rapper Jean Grae. It was recorded at Da Crib of Hitz, H.A.H, and Project Heat Studios in New York City.

Critical reception

Del F. Cowie of Exclaim! wrote that "this complex and rewarding release proves that [Grae]'s a dope emcee, period."[8] Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club called it an "auspicious, uncompromising debut" and praised its "depth and substance", while commending Grae for "using her outsider position to level a thorough critique of hip-hop's misogyny and materialism."[9] Harry Allen of The Village Voice observed an "unpolished, handcrafted feel" and wrote "what it lacks in flam and polish, however, Attack makes up for with the determined and singular power of a compelling personal vision; something too frequently missing in the contemporary hip-hop that Black people are widely being paid off to make."[10] The newspaper's Robert Christgau gave the album a one-star honorable mention,[11] indicating "a worthy effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well like."[12] He cited "God's Gift" and "Live-4-U" as highlights and quipped, "Props for both the Stylistics and *NSync—I like that in an undie rapper".[11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (Interlude)1:14
2."What Would I Do" (Produced by Mr. Len.)3:42
3."God's Gift" (Produced by Masta Ace.)3:55
4."Block Party" (Featuring Apani B. Fly. Produced by Nasain Nahmeen.)6:18
5."No Doubt" (Featuring Block McCloud. Produced by Nasain Nahmeen.)4:27
6."Skit (Bubblin')" (Interlude)0:38
7."Thank Ya!" (Produced by Nasain Nahmeen.)2:59
8."Lovesong" (Produced by Da Beatminerz.)6:08
9."Get It" (Produced by Nasain Nahmeen.)3:52
10."Knock" (Produced by Mr. Len.)3:42
11."Live 4 U" (Produced by Ev Price.)4:32
12."Fadeout" (Produced by Koichiro.)1:47

Personnel

Credits adapted from Allmusic.[13]

  • Evil Dee – engineer, mixing, producer
  • Jean Grae – composer, primary artist, vocals
  • Masta Ace – producer
  • Block McCloud – engineer, mixing, primary artist, vocals
  • Mr. Len – cut, producer
  • Mr. Walt – producer
  • Evan Price – producer

References

  1. ^ a b Kincaid, Nic. Attack of the Attacking Things at AllMusic
  2. ^ Hermes, Will (20 September 2002). "Attack of the Attacking Things Review". Entertainment Weekly. No. 673. New York. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  3. ^ HipHopDX review
  4. ^ Chennault, Sam (10 September 2002). "Jean Grae: Attack of the Attacking Things". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  5. ^ RapReviews review
  6. ^ Caramanica, Jon (September 2002). "Jean Grae, 'Attack of the Attacking Things' (Third Earth Music)". Spin. 18 (9). New York: 125. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  7. ^ Vibe review
  8. ^ Cowie, Del F. (August 2002). "Jean Grae - Attack of The Attacking Things". Exclaim!. Toronto. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  9. ^ Rabin, Nathan (23 September 2002). "Jean Grae: Attack Of The Attacking Things". The A.V. Club. Chicago. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  10. ^ Allen, Harry (17 September 2002). "Not Your Superwoman". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  11. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (28 October 2003). "Consumer Guide: Rousing Constituencies". The Village Voice. New York. Christgau's rating is specified at his website. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  12. ^ Christgau, Robert (2000). "Key to Icons". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Attack of the Attacking Things - Jean Grae : Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 March 2013.