Mass Appeal

Gang Starr

About Mass Appeal

"Mass Appeal" is a song by American hip hop group Gang Starr from the album Hard to Earn. The song reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #42 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.


Year:
1999
3:40
88 
#1

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No way you'll never make it
Come with the weak shit, I break kids
Step into my zone, mad rhymes will stifle ya
Lines like rifles go blast when I kick some ass
A lot of rappers be like one time wonders
Couldn't say a fly rhyme if there was one right under
Their noses, I hate those motherfuckin posers
But I'm so real to them it's scary
And with my unique skills nag you can't compare me
And no we don't make wack tracks
and all the suckers get pushed back when I'm kickin real facts
I represent set up shit like a tent boy
You're paranoid cause you're my son like Elroy
And you'd be happy as hell to get a record deal
Maybe your soul you'd sell to have mass appeal

Oh yes I'm greater than all MC's when I breeeze give me room please
I be like fascinatin when I be updatin
Cuttin off wack kids, pullin their trump cards
I thump hard, and mak eem say that I'm God
Niggaz be pretendin they hardcore
Never know the meaning of [real hardcore]
But I get props like a slogan and no man
Could ever try to diss when I kicks my jam
Lyrically def and connecting complete mic wrecking
No double checking vocals kill like weapons
But if I have to I go all out with no mic
Yeah that's right cause I survived mad fights
And for my peeps I truly care
Cause without some of them I wouldn't be here
And they all know how I feel
Cause suckers be like playin themselves to have mass appeal

I know I'm dope but don't wet that
I've suffered setbacks but now I'm makin greenbacks
Just like baggy slacks I'm crazy hip-hop
Check one two and you don't stop
Your head'll bop when I drop my crop
of pure bomb, just like the seashore I'm calm
But wild, with my monotone style
Because I don't need gimmicks
Gimme a fly beat and I'm all in it
Word is bond I go on and on
For you it's tragic I got magic like wands
So I'ma end this lecture and I betcha
Those who kick dirt and do time I'm gonna get cha
Cause I be kickin the real
While they be losin the race tryin to chase mass appeal

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Gang Starr

Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and the DJ/producer DJ Premier. more »

1 fan

Written by: Keith Elam, Christopher E Martin

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Song Production
"Mass Appeal" is a classic hip-hop song from the duo "Gang Starr", consisting of rapper Guru (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) and DJ/producer DJ Premier.
Album Release
This track is from the album "Hard to Earn" which was released in 1994.
Song Theme
The song critiques mainstream rap radio stations for playing popular, catchy songs in order keep their mass audience, hence the title.
Beats and Melodrama
DJ Premier is known for his unique style of chopped up samples and this song consists of a looped instrumental sample from Vic Juris's "Horizon Drive."
Chart Achievements
"Mass Appeal" peaked at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was the most popular song from the "Hard to Earn" album.
Music Video
The music video for 'Mass Appeal' was filmed on a faux radio station where the DJs refuse to play Gang Starr's music.
Legacy
The song has been highly influential and is often cited as one of Gang Starr's best songs. It's been sampled by several artists within the hip-hop genre.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics of this track indicate a disdain for what Guru saw as a softened, more commercial direction in which hip hop was headed in the mid-90s.
Posthumous Relevance
Even though Guru passed away in 2010, the song and its message are still relevant to discussions of commercialization and authenticity in hip-hop today.

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    Mass Appeal

    9.5M
    80,431     1,735

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1994

    Billboard #67


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