Album MVPs

[M.C. Guevera]

So I'm listening to Paul's Boutique sometime ago, and I came to the conclusion that MCA is the Most Valuable Player on that album. He has the dopest rhymes, his voice is full of fire and passion, and of course there's "A Year And A Day". And the billy goat beard. Can't forget the billy goat beard.

Then I listened to Ill Communication last week and I realized that I liked Adrock's rhymes the best on that album. I was feeling his lyrics out of the three of them, especially on "The Scoop". He is the MVP of Ill Communication I feel.

So, I decided to see if I could find out who the MVP for the rest of their albums was. I did some listening, and after some (un)scientific research, I made my findings. Here they are:

Licensed To Ill MVP: Adrock
Standout Tracks: "Rhymin' & Stealin'", "Girls", "Paul Revere", "Hold It Now, Hit It"

Paul's Boutique MVP: MCA
Standout Tracks: "Johnny Ryall", "3-Minute Rule", "Sounds Of Science", "Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun", "Shadrach", "A Year And A Day", "Hello Brooklyn"

Check Your Head MVP: Tie-Adrock, Mike D, MCA
Standout Tracks: Eh...pretty much all of them.

Ill Communication MVP: Adrock
Standout Tracks: "Sure Shot", "B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak", "Root Down", "Sabotage", "Get It Together", "Flute Loop", "Do It", "The Scoop"

Hello Nasty MVP: Mike D
Standout Tracks: "The Move", "Remote Control", "Body Movin'", "Intergalactic",

To The 5 Boroughs MVP: Adrock
Standout Tracks: "Ch-Check It Out", "Right Right Now Now", "Triple Trouble", "An Open Letter To NYC", "Crawlspace"

So anyone agree? Disagree? Have your own MVPs?

[beastieboysbaby]

i read somewhere on the web that adrock came up with most of the lyrics for hello nasty!? but idk.


i agree with adrock on licensed to ill. hold it now hit it, his lyrics always stand out to me a whole lot in that song.



agreed on the check your head one...they were all equally MVP's!

[OZBEASTIE]

I agree with all of those, especially Mike D being the man on Hello Nasty (even though I don't listen to it that much anymore). Though the others were still at their best, he owned that album. I guess Remote Control kinda worked in his favour though there...

[pesto pizza]

I think mike d did his best ever rapping on the tt5b though,so i think i'll give him 1st place for that album.
I've always liked adrock the best though with mca a close second.

[U-Stubs]

I will disagree with you all here on this tip


1st of all...each emcee brings a diverse element to the table....Lyrically for all the albums. That is why I can't seem to really think of an MVP for the albums...But I will say this..

If the listener is looking an album with deep/reflective/conscious/thought provoking album that offers eclectic/bombastic/innovative/creative/original/progressive sound with sexy ass- soothing-blissful-layered-technologically advanced album with deep/reflective/conscious/thought provoking lyrical spray ....then Hello Nasty wins in this bracket & is the rememdy.

If the listener is looking for a an innovative/eclectic/progressive/layered/complex sound mixed with thought provoking messages and smart ass lyrical spray, then Paul's Boutique,CYHare the albums

If the listener is looking for an album that brings the old school sound thats progressive & mixed/blended/shaken...not stirred with smart ass lyrical spray + political messages , then TT5B is the remedy

Now, if the listener is in need of something a fresh,new,sound-progressive & innovative and brings the understanding of the band in full circle, TMU is the remedy.
Now, if the listener is looking for a tighter version of the "mix-tape" themed album that offers progressive-thought provoking-creative-cocky lyrical spray with progressive beats,samples,beautifully improved sexy instrumentals and a dose of hardcore punk-rock then Ill Communications is Mos Def the remedy.
Now for all those that want and need the progressive/hardcore speed punk, then Cookie Puss, Some Old Bullshit and Agio e Olio are your remedies...

Personally, each album and each emcee brings a diverse element to the floor and to cast MVP votes would not do justice to each album & emcee...Bcuz each emcee has had their inputs in each song,sample,production and what not

[Mr. Smacktackle]

somewhere on the boards I read something interesting that got into my memory well.
In the nineties each Beastie had most influence and gave that 'something' to one album
Check Your Head - MCA, Ill Communication - Mike D, and Hello Nasty - Adrock.

[Laver1969]

I remember reading back in '89 that MCA was "The Most Improved Rapper" of the three Beasties on Paul's Boutique....

[Brother McDuff]

random thoughts:

PB and HN I feel the bboys rap as a single unit. their interweaving, rhythm, and wordplay bounces from one to the other with so much fluidity it's scary. the contrast of their voices frames the whole technique nicely.

mike owns tt5b. period. I enjoy adrocks lyrics the most (sarcastic silly), but there's no question, mike wrecked shop with his rhymes, delivery, attitude, etc. He embodied that old school style they were reaching for to a T.

The bboys have stated that oftentimes they write their lyrics together and then split up the parts amongst themselves later. I could see this being the case on PB, IC, and HN for sure. Though the other albums im not quite sure. tt5b and cyh in particular I would guess were more personalized verses.

[mate_spawn_die]

I think mike d did his best ever rapping on the tt5b though,so i think i'll give him 1st place for that album.

i agree... even though i dislike tt5b i did notice how great mike was with his rhymes.

other than that, it's equal all the way.

[MCScoobyT]

The Mix-Up MVP = Money Mark