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A Prince Among Thieves
Studio album by Prince Paul
Released	February 23, 1999
Recorded	Paul's Coffee Shop (Long Island, New York)
Genre	Hip Hop
Length	73:11
Label	Tommy Boy TB-1210
Producer	Prince Paul
Professional reviews
Allmusic link The Austin Chronicle link RapReviews link Rolling Stone (favorable) link Piero Scaruffi link The Source link Robert Christgau (A) link
Prince Paul chronology
Psychoanalysis: What is It? (1996) A Prince Among Thieves (1999) Politics of the Business (2003)

A Prince Among Thieves is the second studio album by Hip Hop artist and producer Prince Paul. It is considered an apex in the hip hop world, and was one of the most acclaimed concept albums of its time. The concept follows the story of an aspiring young MC named Tariq, played by rapper Breezly Brewin, who needs to collect money to record a demo tape before a meeting with Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. The story follows, as a desperate Tariq quits his low-paying job and turns to his friend True, played by rapper Big Sha, who plugs him into the world of drug dealing. The story sees the two making their way through the drug world, a police ambush, jail, and finally, a deadly showdown.

The album features cameos by Kool Keith, Big Daddy Kane, Chubb Rock, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Everlast, Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole, Special Ed, Chris Rock, RZA and Buckshot.

Track listing

Samples Used

• "Steady Slobbin'" is a parody of Ice Cube's song "Steady Mobbin'", and both contain a sample of Average White Band's recording "Reach Out."
• "What U Got" contains a sample of Albert King's recording "I'll Play the Blues for You."
• "Macula's Theory" contains a sample of Syl Johnson's recording "Wind, Blow Her Back My Way."
• "More Than U Know" contains a sample of Rockmaster Scott & the Dynamic Three's recording "The Roof Is On Fire."
• "You Got Shot" contains samples of Whodini's recording "It's All in Magic's Wand" and Les McCann's recording "North Carolina."
• "Just Another Day" contains portions of the 1942 Bugs Bunny cartoon "The Wabbit Who Came to Supper."

The Cast

• Tariq: Breezly Brewin
• True: Big Sha
• Mother: Monkey
• Officer O'Maley Bitchkowski: Everlast
• Crazy Lou: Kool Keith
• Mr. Large: Chubb Rock
• Breakneck: Special Ed
• Diehard: Biz Markie
• Hooker: Sweet Dee
• Crackhead: Chris Rock
• Crackhead Girl: Queen Bee
• RZA: RZA
• Count Macula: Big Daddy Kane
• The Reverend: Dom Dom
• Convicts: Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole
• Buckshot: Buckshot
• Thug Group: Horror City
• Paramedic 1: Rodd Houston
• Paramedic 2: Wendy Day
• Tariq's Sis (Star Keisha): Karima
• Police Officer 2: Phil Painson
• Police Captain: Danny Madorski
• Wu Receptionist: Kamala Gordon
• Tammy: Heroine

The DJ's & VJ's

• DJ Evil Dee
• Bobbito
• DJ Mecca
• Bobby Simmons
• Andre (Bless Me) Smith
• Ken (Special K) Spellman
• DJ Atlas
• Artist
• Lynn Gonzales
• Rotimi Rainwater

Background Xtras

• Michelle Willems
• Patty Santos
• Faradina Lael
• Jackie Martinez
• Shara
• Queen
• Big Pat
• The Deadly Snakes
• Bobby Simmons
• Regina Moore
• Lady Leo
• Mel Vives
• Mr. Dead
• Don Newkirk
• Bimos
• Michael Preston
• Richard Preston
• Nyce
• Edward Huston

Album chart positions

Singles