The Hurra Explained
The Hurra is the debut solo album by the American rapper and producer DJ Hurricane.[1] [2] It was released in 1995 via Grand Royal.[3] [4]
DJ Hurricane supported the album by opening—and DJing—for the Beastie Boys on their 1995 tour.[5]
Production
Mario Caldato helped to produce the album; the Beastie Boys supplied some of the instrumentation.[6] [7] [8] Sen Dog, the Beastie Boys, and MC Breed contributed guest verses.[9]
Critical reception
SF Weekly wrote that "Hurricane's tongue-twisting is reminiscent of vintage Run-D.M.C., a solid, no-gimmicks mixture of bold braggadocio and good-time party rhymes, but his music is straight, newfangled boom bap."[10] CMJ New Music Monthly concluded that some songs "takes Paul's Boutique blaxploitation funk and hardens it into a '90s rumble."[11] The Indianapolis Star stated that "the stereotypical [thug] banter detracts from an otherwise smart-sounding debut."
Entertainment Weekly thought that the "rhymes are strictly meat-and-potatoes, but the back tracks—funky and flavorful—are a smorgasbord of homemade recipes." Trouser Press opined that "Hurricane’s sinewy delivery and low-rider funk backing tracks make songs like 'Elbow Room' and 'Four Fly Guys' perfect for late-night beer-swilling."[12] Rolling Stone determined that the "combination of humor, finesse and musicality serves Hurricane throughout, integrating his dual roles on The Hurra into one smart, cohesive listen."[13]
Track listing
Samples
- "Elbow Room" sampled "Guerillas In Tha Mist" by Da Lench Mob (1992)
- "Feel The Blast" sampled "Run, Nigger" by The Last Poets (1970) and "Ya Slippin'" by Boogie Down Productions (1988)
- "Pass Me The Gun" sampled "Doggone" by Love (1969)
- "Where's My Niggas At?" sampled "Tasha" by Odell Brown (1974)
- "What's Really Going On" sampled "Black Bag" by Carl Holmes (1974)
- "Comin' Off" sampled "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band (1973)
- "Get Blind" sampled "I Can't See You" by Marvin Holmes and Justice (1973), "Safari" by Eddy Senay (1972) and "A Child's Garden Of Grass (Part 3)" by Jack Margolis (1971)
- "Stick 'Em Up" sampled "Put The Funk On You" by The Fatback Band (1975)
Personnel
- Eric Bobo - percussion
- Mario Caldato Jr. - bass, upright bass, guitar
- Mark Nishita - piano, flute
- Tom Baker - mastering
Notes
- Sequenced at Bundy's
- Mastered at Future Disk
Notes and References
- Web site: Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture. Mickey. Hess. December 29, 2007. ABC-CLIO. Google Books.
- Walton . Brian M. . What's New in Entertainment . The Washington Informer . 7 June 1995 . 31 . 33 . 17.
- Web site: DJ Hurricane Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic.
- Web site: Beastie Boys: A Musical Biography. Jonathan. Zwickel. December 29, 2011. ABC-CLIO. Google Books.
- News: Johnson . Kevin C. . BEASTIE BOYS' ATTRACTION AS RAP GROUP A BIG MYSTERY: BEAT IS FINE, BUT RAP SKILLS ARE BADLY LACKING . Akron Beacon Journal . May 19, 1995 . B1.
- Rock You Like A Hurricane . Billboard . Mar 18, 1995 . 107 . 11 . 19.
- News: Warren . Bruce . RECORD REVIEWS . Times Union . Knight-Ridder . July 9, 1995 . G5.
- News: Sarig . Roni . Rotation . Houston Press . June 8, 1995 . Music.
- Web site: New Faces: Former Beastie Boy DJ Hurricane Turns to Rapping. Matt. Diehl. Rolling Stone. June 15, 1995.
- Web site: Schools of Thought. May 31, 1995. SF Weekly.
- Molanphy . Chris . Reviews . CMJ New Music Monthly . Jun 1995 . 22 . 38.
- Web site: Beastie Boys . Trouser Press . 29 December 2021.
- McElfresh . Suzanne . Recordings -- The Hurra by Hurricane . Rolling Stone . Jun 1, 1995 . 709 . 65.
