Hard to Earn

Last updated
Hard to Earn
Hardtoearn.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 8, 1994
Recorded1992–1993
Studio D&D Studios (New York City)
Genre
Length58:57
Label Chrysalis/EMI Records
7243 8 28435 2 8
F2-28435
Producer DJ Premier (producer)
Guru (co-producer)
Gang Starr chronology
Daily Operation
(1992)
Hard to Earn
(1994)
Moment of Truth
(1998)
Singles from Hard to Earn
  1. "Dwyck"
    Released: December 29, 1992 [2]
  2. "Mass Appeal"
    Released: February 8, 1994 [3]
  3. "Code of the Streets"
    Released: May 17, 1994 [4]
  4. "Suckas Need Bodyguards"
    Released: October 4, 1994 [5]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-neither.png [7]
RapReviewsStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Hard to Earn is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released on March 8, 1994, by Chrysalis and EMI Records in North America. The album featured the singles "Dwyck" (featuring Nice & Smooth), "Mass Appeal" (their first charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart), and "Code of the Streets". Guest appearances on the album include Group Home, Jeru the Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. Hard to Earn received acclaim and commercial success upon release.

Contents

The single "DWYCK" recorded in 1992 also featured hip hop duo Nice & Smooth. The track "Now You're Mine" originally appeared on the 1992 soundtrack White Men Can't Jump . The single "Mass Appeal" appeared in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 . [12]

Hard to Earn is also the duo's first album to carry the "Parental Advisory" label.

Track listing

All music is composed by Keith Elam and Christopher Martin, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Intro (The First Step)" (Instrumental)0:54
2."Alongwaytogo" Guru4:13
3."Code of the Streets" Guru3:29
4."Brainstorm" Guru3:02
5."Tonz 'O' Gunz" Guru3:55
6."The Planet" Guru5:16
7."Aiiight Chill..." A skit featuring Nas, A.G., Masta Ace, MC Eiht, DJ Scratch, Mister Cee 3:13
8."Speak Ya Clout"Martin, Elam, Jeru Kendrick Davis, James HeathGuru, Lil' Dap, Jeru the Damaja 3:35
9."Dwyck"Martin, Elam, Greg Mays, Daryl BarnesGuru, Nice & Smooth 4:03
10."Words from the Nutcracker"Martin, Elam, Jamal Felder Melachi the Nutcracker 1:29
11."Mass Appeal" Guru3:41
12."Blowin' Up the Spot" Guru3:10
13."Suckas Need Bodyguards" Guru, Melachi the Nutcracker4:05
14."Now You're Mine" Guru2:55
15."Mostly Tha Voice" Guru3:38
16."F.A.L.A." Guru, Big Shug 4:17
17."Comin' for Datazz" Guru4:02

Charts

Singles chart positions

YearSongChart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1994DWYCK--2512
Mass Appeal6742103
Code of the Streets-83335
Suckas Need Bodyguards--4418

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References

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  4. "Code of the Streets - Gang Starr | Release Info". AllMusic .
  5. "Suckas Need Bodyguards - Gang Starr | Release Credits". AllMusic .
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