Schoolly-D starts recording his new album in 1986. Due to the violence, deemed excessive, of his hit "PSK What Does It Mean?", he's barred from the studio and he went to INS Studios in New York. The album is originally released under his label Schoolly-D Records with seven tracks, then the artist signs with Jive Records and the record is reissue in 1987 with three more cuts, originally destined to "Smoke Some Kill", his next LP.
The tape highlights Schoolly-D's technical skills over a functional production that plays in his favor in this second effort, with scratches by DJ Code Money. The tracks are inspired by Funkadelic, Sly and the Family Stone and Commodores, while the lyrics aren't appreciated by critics, who complain about the ease of writing and an exaggerated use of low-grade narrative devices.
It holds its own historical value as one of the first gangsta rap records: here Schoolly D improves its rapping, spitting raw, easy-going and bold, delivering functional themes and violent lyrics on minimal and hard rhythms, characterized by a skeletal drum machine. Among the various passages present in these three quarters of an hour there's also "That's My Style", where the rapper signs a diss towards Spoonie G, with whom he later made peace.
Released by Jive in 1987 with RCA distribution also covering Canada and the European market, the release entered the Black Albums charts — despite it being quickly removed from the shelves in Philadelphia due to the violent content of its music — and reached the top of the independent charts in the UK, where its two singles, the title track and "Dedication to All B-Boys", were also successful. Welcomed by mixed reviews from critics, it's considered among the most solid releases of the year. 7/10.
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