1. Intro 2. One Step 3. Blessed Are Those 4. From Then Till Now 5. Cross My Heart 6. Fake MC's 7. It's Over 8. Crusaids 9. Tai Chi 10. Heavy Mental 11. If You Don't Know 12. Atoms to Adam 13. High Explosives 14. Wisdom 15. B.I.B.L.E. 16. Mystic City 17. Information 18. Science Project 19. Almost There 20. Professional
Of the 6 solo albums of Killah Priest's that I own, this is probably his 2nd best (close with "View From Masada") and behind his great classic "Priest Offerings". As the most famous of the 4 man group, Sunz of Man, he drops some serious lyrics and as always he has some deep thought-provoking songs. With 18 songs on this one, you get 2 almost classics, 4 ok song, and the other 12 are good, some being real good songs. Guests are minimal, rapping on 3 songs and doing hooks on 3 others. Production is pretty good as well. 4th Disciple does 9 songs, True Master & Y Kim each do 3 songs, Arabian Knight, John the Baptist and Killah Priest all do 1 song. A nice album to have from one of the better and more consitant lyricist through the years.
Conscious Underground Hip Hop Classic Submitted on: 2009-01-28
I cannot think for the life of me why some people would review this Dominant Album saying that!"The Beats wasnt up to par",or "It was boring",or"He is not this, or "not that",or some other negative foolish review.
I'll just name a few good beats alone.In which rightly synchronize with these tracks.(Atoms to Adam)It also contains Very Highly Complex Lyrics.If you dont know what particular jewels(Knowledge)in which he's talking about in that track.Then ask someone qualified to break it down to you.Because he's breaking some biblically historical facts down.Then you've the track,(One Step).It's full of knowledge and information.It also has a very nice beat to syncronize.
Here is another one(Bible) It's full of knowledge,wisdom and truth.It also has a nice beat to synchronize.
I could go on and on.However,to true conscious hip hop heads they know how thorough this Album truly is.
These Highly Knowledgable songs are worth playing and listening to- all throughout the year 2000...Example- Bible,From then till now,Blessed are those,Wisdom,Information,Almost there,Mystic City,High Explosives,Etc;
And if people are still behind in knowledge within the year 3000.Then it'll still be worth listening too.(lol)
Those tracks have the right beats to go with what content he's rapping about in the first place.
The Album "Heavy Mental", has both beats and highly informative lyrics in which are full of knowledge.
Anyone in their right calculating mind can agree to this truth.
Again, "Heavy Mental" is an all time highly deserving exalted superior Album.
The Facts:Killah Priest is more concerned about getting knowledge across then his worry about how someone will judge the beat.
When complex rhyming like he does is concerned. You've to take everything into consideration. He wants people to be able to hear what content he's rapping about.Along with having a good beat to listen too. Which he does've.
This just goes to show how you cant please everyone.Their always is some form of negative judgement one way or another.
We're in some troublesome times within the Universal order of things.The times we are in. It helps to take in highly positive informative lyrics. It's not about some satisfying beat that must be heard before giving a perfect rating.
It's about listening to highly knowledgable things in which can change a person's life towards the better. A beat doesnt make a person a better moral,spiritual,ethical, or other positive type of a person,etc;
However, it's the content in which an emcee raps about in which can make growth within the listeners.
Some people miss the entire message of what "Highly Conscious Hip Hop is about".
This is "one" of the most informative and knowledgable Albums to ever hit the market.
It deserves for everyone to truly not only hear it. But to grow and evolve into its vast content towards the purpose of information sharing.
If their was a 100 star rating as the highest! Then i would give this 100 stars.
Killah Priest,KRS-One,The Lost Children Of Babylon, along with certain others; are some of the most highly knowledgeable and skillfully articulating Emcees out there by far. Yes, their are some others. However i'm just naming certain ones from off the top of my doom.
I dont care what other reviewers think.I go by my own freedom of convictions.
Also, back to the beats, what good is it to hear a beat if it over-rides and drowns out the lyrics! If a reviewer wants beats dominating over the lyrics, then all they've to do is listen to mainstream!
All you've to do is put in some mainstream garbage in your system where they're concerned more with producing bass, along with rapping about meaningless things; instead of producing actual conscious lyrics.
And to those reviews who said that this album is not worth buying.And they had the nerve to give it a bad review. All i can say to those kind of people is this: If u dont know true knowledgeable hip hop then keep listening to the garbage in which some how doesn't offend u.
The only conclusion in which can be made towards these type of reviews is this: Their must be some aspect and form of knowledge within his deeply rich content in which easily offended your basic mind. So instead of giving the album the ratings it deserved you would rather spew out your own individual purely subjective prejudices in one verbal way or another.
On the other hand: True conscious hip-hop heads are going to just laugh at your wacked comments and judgements of various kind.
This album is worth buying all through the 21st century.Because in reality, most of humanity is that far behind when dealing with truths which are deeply buried from their conscious mind.
The ones here who in which gave bad reviews from their feeble comments like: Bad Beats,Boring,Not the best rapper,To much religious symbolism,mysticism,Etc;
These are the type people who view things from a very narrow minded perspective.
This Album in truth is one of the best by far. He raps about important things like: Example-In one of his deeply informative tracks.He talks about microchips,history of knowledge kept hidden,New World Order Stuff,certain mystical elements,Etc;
If a reviewer cannot appreciate that sort of highly imperative stuff to learn about.Then to such an un-informed person. I would have to say this truth.
You're the ones who Killah Priest is talking to about being lost in this system from your own innate ignorance.
We are in desperate times to learn some truth in which is being lyrically expressed. As oppose to having any weak preconceived notions from your own religious turmoil of subjective reviewing.
Killah Priest is one of the best in the rap game.He also is by far one of the most potent story tellers,mystical poets,Etc;
He doesnt need your bias low ratings in order to be easily seen in true hip hop eyes as one of the greatest emcees in the game.
Killah Priest is constantly rising to the top. He is very multi-talented/multi-faceted and that will speak towards his unlimited legacy alone.
While you low rating reviewers talk your meaningless individual subjectivity. He'll still be clowning on the mic with his deeply thought out poetical and highly conscious lyrics.
So do yourself a favor! "Listen to him and learn something"
"Your ARMS too short to BOX with GOD..." Submitted on: 2008-12-20
Killah Priest is among hip hop's most unique characters, and his 1998 debut "Heavy Mental" might be the best showcase of his one-of-a-kind talent. Here, he was marketed as yet another extended Wu-Tang offshoot, yet proved to be an entity entirely his own with an ingenious LP. Anyone wowed by his infamous "B.I.B.L.E.," originally included on GZA's Liquid Swords and still one of rap's most jaw-dropping songs after fifteen years, will love this further insight into his complex thoughts.
Priest has long been a favorite of mine, a captivating performer and inspiring songwriter. A righteous and philosophical thinker, he incorporates sacred scripture and ancient history into his multi-faceted verses, and his gruff, commanding delivery results in an epic sound enhanced by his strong vocabulary. "Heavy Mental" also includes tracks which explore government conspiracy, outer space, and science for a diverse and stimulating listen. His references and metaphors are impressive, as is his method of adapting multiple perspectives for his tales. Musically, the Wu blueprint is evident with production handled by True Master, Y-Kim the Illfigure, and 4th Disciple, but it is cleverly manipulated to Priest's specifications. For instance, instead of sound bytes from kung-fu movies, Priest incorporates samples from such religious films as "The Ten Commandments."
The album is too long, and there are filler tracks where too-sparse production and monotonous flows beget forgettable results. Priest is an entertainer and a rapper, sometimes bordering on pseudo-intelligence for the sake of artistry. However, Priest provides enough genuinely interesting material to make this album a winner worthy of his huge potential.
"One Step" is a masterpiece, a song that ingeniously utilizes an infamous sample that Killah Priest laces with wise verses about religion, government conspiracy, and life. This song shows him at his best, exploring a wide range of unusual subjects over great production and bringing inspirational energy. "Tai Chi" is a chilling gem with apprehensive lyrics from Sunz of Man and an eerie backing by 4th Disciple with keyboards and vocals. ODB makes a noteworthy appearance on "If You Don't Know," and "Atoms to Adam" and "High Explosives" are both excellent stylistically and substantially. The nice "Wisdom" cleverly gives way to an extended version of the aforementioned "B.I.B.L.E." in all its glory. The message of religious realization and theological soul-searching in this track is timeless, and the sample is ingenious. Priest's references and rhymes are hip hop at its finest--effective, inspiring, and endlessly artistic. "Mystic City" and "Information" are great songs ripe with social relevance, paranoid imagery, and strong production. Perhaps most stunning is "Science Project," where Priest attributes urban decay to government experiments. This song is terrifying and ominous, enhanced by 4th Disciple's distant beat and Hell Razah's guest. Closers "Almost There" and "The Professional" are both memorable.
There are parts of Priest's huge catalog that are redundant and overblown, but "Heavy Mental" still hits like the day it was released. Rarely is music this simultaneously enjoyable and legitimately thought-provoking. I highly recommend "Heavy Mental" to any listeners, who will definitely find something they dig about this LP.
Interesting Knowledge...(Rating: 9 out of 10- -4.5 stars) Submitted on: 2008-10-13
Suns Of Man/Wu-Tang's extended family member Killah Priest might be one of the most diverse lyricists that people may ever hear. His lyrics expand from storytelling, to project life, to religion. Especially on the latter, as one may believe that he has actually studied the Bible all throughout his life, before recording his album. Almost every verse has a good concept behind it, as to get listeners to learn, as well as expand their knowledge basis. After making an impact on "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth" on The Genius' Liquid Swords, expect his whole album to have similar content throughout.
The songs that are great standouts are the fierce "Cross My Heart" with Inspetah Deck and The Genius. Followed is the deep "Fake MC's". My favorite track here is "Tai Chi" with Hell Razah, 60 Second Assassin, and Father Lord. The track has an deep (and somewhat disturbing sounding) piano loop that works very well. Following that track is the spoken word "Heavy Mental", where Killah Priest goes for over four minutes. Things keep going on with the deep sounding "If You Don't Know" with ODB. Another favorite of mine is "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth", as it's no different from the version that appeared on The Genius' album. Towards the end is the story telling "Science Project". Priest kicks more knowledge on "Almost There". And the album closes off with a solid "The Professional".
Killah Priest's debut is full of deeply thought lyrics, and dark sounding production. This album may end up growing on some people, as it did on myself. When it does, it will be enjoyed by fans of the Wu, Suns Of Man, IV Horsemen, and other Killah Priest related fans. Back in '98, this album slipped through the cracks, due to the change in what hip hop was becoming around that time. Killah Priest wasn't following trends back in that time, which was probably the reason why this album was ignored. I recommend you pick this up, because it is definitely recommended. Peace.
Top 5 Tracks:
1. Tai Chi (featuring Hell Razah, 60 Second Assassin, and Father Lord)
2. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
3. Cross My Heart (featuring The Genius and Inspectah Deck)
4. Science Project (featuring Hell Razah)
5. If You Don't Know (featuring ODB)
Honorable Mention:
1. Heavy Mental
2. It's Over
3. High Explosives
Great for its time Submitted on: 2008-02-29
Was put together in '98 - so we're looking at a 10 year old album here. The "Priest" is a gun on the lyrics, rattling them off and for that alone is worth the buy.
Very good solo debut
Conscious Underground Hip Hop Classic