| Knowledge Is King | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 30, 1989 | |||
| Studio | Soundtrack Studios (New York, NY) Unique Recording Studios, New York City | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 44:32 | |||
| Label | Jive | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Kool Moe Dee chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | B+ [2] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [3] |
Knowledge Is King is the third solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee, released on May 30, 1989, via Jive Records.
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.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "They Want Money" | 3:52 | |
| 2. | "The Avenue" | M. Dewese | 3:46 |
| 3. | "I Go to Work" | M. Dewese | 4:40 |
| 4. | "All Night Long" | M. Dewese | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Knowledge is King" |
| 3:38 |
| 6. | "I'm Hittin' Hard" | M. Dewese | 4:34 |
| 7. | "Get the Picture" |
| 5:19 |
| 8. | "I'm Blowin' Up" | M. Dewese | 4:55 |
| 9. | "The Don" | M. Dewese | 5:10 |
| 10. | "Pump Your Fist" | M. Dewese | 4:27 |
| 11. | "Let's Go" | M. Dewese | 5:24 |
| Total length: | 44:32 | ||
Notes
Sample credits
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
| Singles
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA) [13] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It is represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).
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.
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.
God's Son is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on December 13, 2002, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. Production took place during 2001 to 2002, and was handled by several producers, including Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson, Ron Browz, Eminem, and The Alchemist. The album also includes guest appearances from artists such as Alicia Keys, Kelis, and a posthumous feature from 2Pac. Musically, God's Son blends hardcore hip hop with elements of soul and jazz. Partly inspired by the death of his mother in early 2002, God's Son covers lyrical themes such as religion, violence, grief, redemption and his own emotional experiences. It has been recognized by critics as some of Nas' most personal work.
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".
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.
Confessions of Fire is the debut studio album by American rapper Cam'ron. It was released through Epic Records on July 21, 1998. Originally titled "Who Is Cam'ron?" The production on the album was mostly handled by Darrell "Digga" Branch, along with Swizz Beatz, Trackmasters, Jermaine Dupri, and among others. The album also features guest appearances by Mase, Usher, Kelly Price, Noreaga, and more.
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, number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 18, 1992, indicating US sales of over 500,000 units. The single "Freedom Got an A.K." peaked at number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Going Back to Cali" is a 1988 single by LL Cool J from the Less than Zero soundtrack album as well as his third album, Walking with a Panther. The song was co-written and produced by Rick Rubin. It peaked at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by the RIAA on May 28, 1991, and platinum on May 30, 2017.
"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.
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.
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.
"Kool Moe Dee - Knowledge Is King". Discogs .
 | This 1980s hip hop album-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
