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Moment of Truth
Studio album by Gang Starr
Released	March 31, 1998 (US)
Recorded	1997-1998 D&D Studios in New York, New York
Genre	Hip-Hop
Label	Noo Trybe/Virgin/EMI Records 7243 8 45585 2 9 V2-45585
Producer	DJ Premier (Producer) Guru (Co-producer)
Professional reviews
Allmusic link The Source May 1998, p. 145 NME April 11, 1998, p. 39 RapReviews.com link Entertainment Weekly (B+) April 24 1998, p. 78
Gang Starr chronology
Hard to Earn (1994) Moment of Truth (1998) Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr (1999)

Moment of Truth is the fifth album by hip hop duo Gang Starr.

Overview

Released four years after their previous album, Hard to Earn, this album could be perceived as a comeback, with a newer, updated style to their already established jazz-tinged hip-hop, as stated by Guru in the introduction:

"We have certain formulas, but we update 'em (oh, right)
Sith the times and everything, you know
So you know the rhyme style is elevated
The style of beats is elevated, but it's still Guru and Premier."

Stylistically, Premier's beats, while maintaining the signature two-measure loop and scratched chorus formula, expand their range of samples. Not only does he use more orchestral (ie, less funk/soul-based) horns and strings, but he also features more atonal, non-melodic samples, a style he had first explored on Jeru the Damaja's The Sun Rises in the East. Guru also grows somewhat on the album: he focuses more openly on social issues, and attempts to embrace his status, which had grown considerably during Gang Starr's hiatus to the point where many already considered him a hip-hop legend. Of course, his trademark battle rhymes are also in full force on many tracks.

Despite being overshadowed by more mainstream artists, the album has gained immense respect within the underground hip-hop circuit, and is the group's most commercially successful album to date. Moment of Truth debuted at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It went on to sell over 500,000 copies and was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 7, 1998. The lead single, "You Know My Steez," became the duo's second Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1997, peaking at #76. Spin magazine ranked it as the #16 album of 1998.[1]

The album features a lot more guest rappers than previous Gang Starr releases; collaborations include songs with Inspectah Deck, Scarface, G-Dep, Freddie Foxxx, K-Ci & Jo-Jo, M.O.P. and more.

The title track also appeared in the soundtrack of the 2001 video game Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2.

Track listing

Samples

You Know My Steez

• "Drowning in the Sea of Love" by Joe Simon
• "Music Lets Me Be" by Les McCann
• "Flash It to the Beat" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
• "Shadowboxin'" by GZA (vocals by Method Man)
• "Usual Suspect" by Big Noyd
• "What is Hip Hop?" by Greg Tate

Work

• "Devil in the Dark" by The Manhattans
• "Prove Your Love" by Fleetwood Mac
• "Closer to God" by Krumbsnatcha

Royalty

• "Let's Do it In Slow Motion" by Latimore
• "DWYCK" by Gang Starr (Vocals by Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth)

Above the Clouds

• "Two Piece Flower" by John Dankworth

JFK 2 LAX

• "It's Time to Breakdown" by The Supremes

Itz a Set Up

• "Beyond Yesterday" by Les McCann

Moment of Truth

• "Let's Fall in Love All Over" by Billy Paul
• "Who's Gonna Take The Weight?" by Gang Starr

B.I. Vs. Friendship

• "Come Live With Me" by Isaac Hayes
• "Who's Gonna Take The Weight?" by Gang Starr

Militia

• "Main Title (Dark Shadows Theme)" by Robert Cobert

Rep Grows Bigga

• "Come Dancing" by Jeff Beck
• "Off The Books" by The Beatnuts
• "DWYCK" by Gang Starr (Vocals by Guru)
• "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang Clan
• "Fakin' Jax" by I.N.I.
• "Refuse to Lose" by Non Phixion

What I'm Here 4

• "Little Green Apples" by Young-Holt Unlimited
• "R. S. V. P." by Nat Adderley

She Knowz What She Wantz

• "Sunnin' and Funnin'" by MFSB
• "Itzsoweezee (HOT)" by De La Soul

New York Strait Talk

• "It's My Thang" by EPMD
• "Bastards" by Ruthless Bastards

My Advice 2 You

• "I Love You More Than You Will Know" by Cold Blood

Make 'Em Pay

• "Livin' Proof" by Group Home
• "You're Something Special" by Five Special

Betrayal

• "Deliver the Word" by War

Next Time

• "A Good Man is Gone" by Monk Higgins & the Specialites
• "I Shot Ya (Remix)" by LL Cool J

In Memory Of...

• "Here's that Rainy Day" by Paul Horn  & Nexus 
• "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)" by The Notorious B.I.G.

Album singles

Chart positions

Album

Singles

Chart positions from Billboard magazine