Thanks to an oblivious garage sale host, the past few days I’ve been banging a slew of somebody’s old CD collection. Particularly, Above The Law’s 1990 Ruthless Records debut, Livin’ Like Hustlers. This particular album from the SCU (South Central University) trio sounds somewhat dated, but it could just be my dependence on synths. Tight album or not, there’s no denying the power and straight wickedness that is the album’s opener, “Murder Rap.”

Cleverly titled, the track addresses the negative sentiment Cold 187 and KMG had gotten due to their gangsta rap moniker, and does so with authority. As soon as the sirens blast from get, you know it’s getting heavier than Hill Valley. It’s the music I want played anytime a fight’s about to break out. That Charles Bronson-seeing-the-killer-of-his-family type shit.

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Download — Above The Law – “Murder Rap”