Knowledge Is King

Last updated
Knowledge Is King
Knowledge is King.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 30, 1989
StudioSoundtrack Studios (New York, NY) Unique Recording Studios, New York City
Genre Hip hop
Length44:32
Label Jive
Producer
Kool Moe Dee chronology
How Ya Like Me Now
(1987)
Knowledge Is King
(1989)
Funke, Funke Wisdom
(1991)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Robert Christgau B+ [2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Knowledge Is King is the third solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee, released on May 30, 1989, via Jive Records.

Contents

Background

The album was recorded at Soundtrack Studios in New York City, New York. Production for the album was handled by Teddy Riley, LaVaba Mallison, Pete Q. Harris, and Kool Moe Dee himself. The record peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200 [4] and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. [5] It is his second best-selling album, achieving gold certification by the RIAA on August 22, 1989 (his previous album How Ya Like Me Now was certified platinum). [6]

The album spawned four charted singles: "Let's Go", "All Night Long", "I Go to Work", and "They Want Money". "They Want Money" went the most successful single of the effort, peaking at #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #2 on the Hot Rap Songs and #91 on the UK Singles Chart. "I Go to Work" peaked at #13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #5 on the Hot Rap Songs. "All Night Long" peaked at #70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and "Let's Go", a diss track towards Kool Moe Dee's foe LL Cool J, peaked at #11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."They Want Money"3:52
2."The Avenue"M. Dewese3:46
3."I Go to Work"M. Dewese4:40
4."All Night Long"M. Dewese4:11
5."Knowledge is King"
  • M. Dewese
  • P. Harris
3:38
6."I'm Hittin' Hard"M. Dewese4:34
7."Get the Picture"
  • M. Dewese
  • L. Mallison
5:19
8."I'm Blowin' Up"M. Dewese4:55
9."The Don"M. Dewese5:10
10."Pump Your Fist"M. Dewese4:27
11."Let's Go"M. Dewese5:24
Total length:44:32

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [13] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the late 1980s. The genre is heavily influenced by 1970s psychedelic funk (P-funk) sound of artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic. Murder Dog magazine provided information about G-funk and Phunky Phat and Pen & Pixel produced G-funk CD covers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rakim</span> American rapper and record producer from New York

William Michael Griffin Jr., better known by his stage name Rakim, is an American rapper and record producer. One half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential and skilled rappers of all time.

Mohandas Dewese, better known by his stage name Kool Moe Dee, is an American rapper, songwriter and actor. Considered one of the forerunners of the new jack swing sound in hip hop, he gained fame in the 1980s as a member of one of the pioneering groups in hip hop music, the Treacherous Three, and for his later solo career. During his career he released a total of seven studio albums, with 1994's Interlude being the last to date.

<i>How Ya Like Me Now</i> 1987 studio album by Kool Moe Dee

How Ya Like Me Now is the second solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was recorded at Battery Studios in London, England and released on November 3, 1987, via Jive Records.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Ice Cube album) 2001 greatest hits album by Ice Cube

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on December 4, 2001. It compiles 17 of Ice Cube's most well-known songs. Two songs were exclusive to the album, "$100 Bill Y'all" and "In the Late Night Hour".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fat Boys</span> American hip hop trio

The Fat Boys were an American hip hop trio from Brooklyn, New York, who emerged in the early 1980s. The group was briefly known originally as the Disco 3, originally composed of Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, and Darren "Buff Love" Robinson.

<i>My Ghetto Report Card</i> 2006 studio album by E-40

My Ghetto Report Card is the ninth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 14, 2006, by BME Recordings, Sick Wid It Records and Warner Bros. Records. My Ghetto Report Card was supported by two singles: "Tell Me When to Go" featuring Keak Da Sneak, and "U and Dat" featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl.

<i>Kool Moe Dee</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Kool Moe Dee

Kool Moe Dee is the eponymous debut solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1986 via Jive Records, and produced by Teddy Riley, Bryan "Chuck" New, LaVaba Mallison, Pete Q. Harris, Robert Wells and Kool Moe Dee.

<i>Funke, Funke Wisdom</i> 1991 studio album by Kool Moe Dee

Funke, Funke Wisdom is the fourth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1991 via Jive Records, making it the rapper's final album on the label.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Kool Moe Dee album) Compilation album by Kool Moe Dee

Greatest Hits is a second greatest hits album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee. It was released in 1993 through Jive Records, making it his first compilation album on the label. The album collects Kool Moe Dee's most popular singles recorded from 1986 to 1991 during his career with Jive Records and also contains four newly recorded songs: "Gimme My Props", "Look At Me Now", "Whosgotdaflava" and "Can U Feel It", which was also released as a single.

<i>Lil Romeo</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Lil Romeo

Lil' Romeo is the self-titled debut studio album by American rapper, Lil' Romeo. It was released July 3, 2001, on No Limit Records, Soulja Music and Priority Records. The album has features production by Master P, Carlos Stephens and Sean "Barney" Thomas; the album also has guest appearances by Freequan, Silkk the Shocker, Lil' Zane, Allusion, Little D, 6 Piece and Afficial.

<i>Joe Budden</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Joe Budden

Joe Budden is the debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, later the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Seminar</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Seminar is the second album by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot. It was released on October 17, 1989, via Nastymix and was produced entirely by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The album peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America. It spawned three singles: "Beepers", which peaked at #61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #2 on the Hot Rap Songs, "My Hooptie", which peaked at #49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #7 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "I Got Game", which peaked at #86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #20 on the Hot Rap Songs.

"Wild Wild West" is a song by American rapper Kool Moe Dee, released in 1988 as a second single from his second studio album How Ya Like Me Now. It was recorded in 1987 at Battery Studios in London, England, produced by Bryan "Chuck" New, LaVaba Mallison, Pete Q. Harris, Teddy Riley and Kool Moe Dee, and released via Jive Records.

<i>Back in Black</i> (Whodini album) 1986 studio album by Whodini

Back in Black is the third album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was recorded in London and released via Jive Records in 1986. Like on the group's previous work, audio production was handled by Larry Smith. The album peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200, #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America on June 23, 1986.

<i>Michelle</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Michelle

Michel'le is the debut studio album by American singer Michel'le. It was released on October 23, 1989, on Ruthless Records, Atco Records and Atlantic Records. The album was co produced by Dr. Dre of N.W.A and André “LA Dre” Bolton The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America five weeks after its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Smith discography</span>

American rapper Will Smith has released four studio albums, one compilation album, 18 singles, one video album and 20 music videos. After working in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Jeff Townes as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Smith began his solo career in 1997 with the release of "Men in Black", the theme song for the film of the same name, which topped singles charts in several regions across the world, including the UK. "Men in Black" was later included on Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style, which reached the top ten of the US Billboard 200 and was certified nine times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The third single from the album, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", became Smith's first Billboard Hot 100 number one when it was released in 1998.

This is the discography of Kool Moe Dee, an American recording artist from New York City.

"Go See the Doctor" is a song by American rapper singer Kool Moe Dee. It was released in 1986 as the first single from his eponymous debut album. Originally published by Rooftop, it was later reissued by Jive.

"How Ya Like Me Now" is a song by American rapper Kool Moe Dee. It was released in 1987 as the first single from his second studio album of the same name.

References

  1. Henderson, Alex. "Knowledge Is King - Kool Moe Dee". AllMusic . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Kool Moe Dee". Robert Christgau . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 406–407.
  4. "Kool Moe Dee Knowledge Is King Chart History". Billboard 200 . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  5. "Kool Moe Dee Knowledge Is King Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  6. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA . August 22, 1989. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  7. "Kool Moe Dee Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  8. "Kool Moe Dee Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  9. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  10. "Kool Moe Dee Chart History". Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  11. "Kool Moe Dee Chart History". Hot Rap Songs . Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  12. "KOOL MOE DEE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". UK Singles Chart . Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  13. "American album certifications – Kool Moe Dee – Knowledge Is King". Recording Industry Association of America.

"Kool Moe Dee - Knowledge Is King". Discogs .