The group was founded in 1989 in Trenton, New Jersey, composed by the main rapper Timothy "Wise Intelligent" Grimes, the producer Kerry "Culture Freedom" Williams that provides also vocals and the DJ and producer Scott "Father Shaheed" Phillips. After releasing the single "Time to Say Peace" in 1989 under North Side Records, the group deals with Profile.
Excellent debut for the Poor Righteous Teachers led by Wise Intelligent, with a simple, cheerful and light jazzy production, led by sample funk and mainly performed by Tony D. The rhymes of the group are focused on conscious and political themes and on the world of 5% Percent Nation, Wise's rapping is fast, energetic, crisp and smooth. Overall, the album breathes vibes jazzy, it doesn't release any banger or classic, but it's one of the most consistent and solid records of the early nineties.
The LP opens with a high note: "Can I Start This?" starts with a skit, then sparkling and crackling boom bap rhythm, simple, minimal, tight jazzy, good energetic delivery of the group, functional chorus, excellent smooth and crisp delivery, dope. The track number two is the major hit of PRT: "Rock Dis Funky Joint" boasts a simple and minimal jazzy boom bap, scratched hook, velvet, fast delivery, dope cut.
The title track presents a boom bap jazzy simple rhythmic, essential, tight, excellent delivery smoothness, fluid, fantastic. "Shakyla" is another highlights on this solid debut disk: beautiful jazzy soulful sample, light, essential boom bap, excellent light delivery, quiet, clear and silky, sung functional chorus. Classic cut, fantastic vibes. "Word from the Wise" is another great production provided by the main beatmaker of the CD, Tony D: splendid jazzy sample for the simple and essential boom bap, light, excellent smooth and crisp delivery of Wise Intelligent, dope tune. "Poor Righteous Teachers" closes the tape with a good female soul sample looped in the background, boom bap rhythm jazzy midtempo light and accessible, minimal, tight, good flowing and sharp delivery, slow syncopated, dope.
Released by Profile Records, the album received acclaim from specialized critics, who compared it to the best conscious and political rap albums of the period. Pushed by the minor hit "Rock Dis Funky Joint" (#4 in the rap singles chart) and by the title track as second single, the tape peaks on the top 20 among rap records and enters the Billboard 200, becoming one of the best-selling rap albums of the season.
Rating: 8/10.
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