Guerillas in tha Mist

Last updated
Guerillas In Tha Mist
Guerillaslenchmob.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1992
RecordedJune 1991 – April 1992
StudioEcho Sound (Los Angeles, California)
Genre Gangsta rap [1]
Length41:24
Label
Producer Ice Cube (also exec.)
Da Lench Mob chronology
Guerillas In Tha Mist
(1992)
Planet of da Apes
(1994)
Singles from Guerillas in tha Mist
  1. "Guerillas in tha Mist"
    Released: August 19, 1992 [2]
  2. "Freedom Got an A.K."
    Released: November 1992

Guerillas in tha Mist is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Da Lench Mob, who originally appeared on Ice Cube's debut solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted . The titular "Guerillas in tha Mist" was a hit at the release of the album. The album was produced by Ice Cube, who is also featured throughout the album though uncredited. The album peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200, [3] number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, [4] and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 18, 1992, indicating US sales of over 500,000 units. [5] The single "Freedom Got an A.K." peaked at number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs. [6]

Contents

The album title is a pun on the popular movie title Gorillas in the Mist and guerrilla warfare. In the post-Los Angeles riot atmosphere of the album's release, the title was also perceived as a clever reference to a comment made by one of the police officers who had arrested Rodney King. Laurence Michael Powell, one of King's arresting officers, had described through radio message a domestic disturbance involving two blacks as something straight from Gorillas in the Mist. Powell's comment was considered highly racist, comparing black people to gorillas, and was used against the officer during the Rodney King trial. [7]

Commercial performance

The album was certified gold on December 18, 1992, selling over 500,000 copies. [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
RapReviews8/10 [10]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

The Los Angeles Times praised the "snarling raps, sharp humor, canny observations and fast, funky beats." [1]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Capital Punishment in America"1:55
2."Buck the Devil"4:28
3."Lost in tha System"3:34
4."You and Your Heroes"2:59
5."All on My Nut Sack"4:33
6."Guerillas in tha Mist"4:25
7."Lenchmob Also in the Group"1:47
8."Ain't Got No Class" (featuring B-Real)3:35
9."Freedom Got an A.K."3:03
10."Ankle Blues"2:47
11."Who Ya Gonna Shoot wit That"2:43
12."Lord Have Mercy"3:40
13."Inside the Head of a Black Man"1:55
Total length:41:24

Notes

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1992–93)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 [12] 24
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums [13] 4
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales [14] 10

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [8] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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