In God We Trust (Brand Nubian album)

In God We Trust
Studio album by
Brand Nubian
ReleasedFebruary 2, 1993
Recorded1991–1992
GenreHip hop
Length55:32
LabelElektra
Producer
Brand Nubian chronology
One for All
(1990) 		In God We Trust
(1993) 		Everything is Everything
(1994)
Singles from In God We Trust
  1. "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down"
    Released: August 1992
  2. "Allah U Akbar"
    Released: 1993
  3. "Love Me or Leave Me Alone"
    Released: 1993
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert Christgau(dud)[2]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]

In God We Trust is the second album from hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on February 2, 1993, by Elektra.

Background

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Lead MC Grand Puba left the group to pursue a solo career in 1991, following the release of their revered debut One for Allleaving MC's Sadat X and Lord Jamar, who enlisted DJ Sincere to join the group. Lyrically, the album contains extremely militant content that reflects the group's identity as Five Percenters, adhering to the philosophy of the Nation of Gods and Earths.

Production

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The album was produced entirely by Lord Jamar, while using the Akai MPC. Giving the album's taste of hardcore hard-hitting intense beats with soul and jazz samples that he found through Sadat's father record collection.[4] Diamond D would be the only additional producer, with just only one song on the album with Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down.

Reception

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The album was less successful than the group's debut but still received strong reviews. The single "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down" became a Billboard Hot 100 hit, but was met with controversy over homophobic content, referencing the Sadat X line "Though I can freak, fly, flow, fuck up a faggot/I don't understand their ways, I ain't down with gays." The single "Love Me or Leave Me Alone" was also a Hot-100 hit. Music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a "dud" rating, indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought".

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Allah U Akbar"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
4:49
2."Ain't No Mystery"
  • Lord Jamar
  • Sadat X
4:23
3."Meaning of the 5%" (Interlude) 2:52
4."Pass the Gat"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
3:23
5."Black Star Line"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
  • Red Fox
5:07
6."Allah & Justice"
  • Lord Jamar
  • DJ Sincere
  • Sadat X
2:10
7."The Godz..."
  • Lord Jamar
  • Sadat X
3:50
8."The Travel Jam"
  • Lord Jamar
  • Sadat X
3:52
9."Brand Nubian Rock the Set"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
4:06
10."Love Me or Leave Me Alone"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
4:35
11."Steal Ya Ho"
  • Lord Jamar
  • Sadat X
3:51
12."Steady Bootleggin’"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
3:51
13."Black & Blue"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
4:00
14."Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down"
  • Sadat X
  • Lord Jamar
4:05
Total length:55:32

Charts

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Chart (1993) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[5] 12
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 4

References

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  1. ^ Andy Kellman (1993-02-02). "In God We Trust - Brand Nubian | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (June 1, 1993). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. ^ The New Rolling Stone Album Guide - Nathan Brackett, Christian David Hoard. 2004. p. 322. Retrieved 2015-06-17 – via Internet Archive. wu tang.
  4. ^ "Sadat X on how Brand Nubian started, his Hip Hop heroes, & being a Five Percenter Juan EP is Life". Youtube.com. February 3, 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Brand Nubian Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "Brand Nubian Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
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