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Pawns in the Game

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For the book entitled "Pawns in the Game", see William Guy Carr.
Pawns in the Game
Studio album by
Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples
ReleasedMarch 27, 1990
Recorded1989–1990
StudioSkyywalker Recording Studio (Liberty City, FL)
GenrePolitical hip hop
LabelLuke/Atlantic Records
Producer
Professor Griff chronology
Pawns in the Game
(1990) 		Kao's II Wiz*7*Dome
(1991)
Singles from Pawns in the Game
  1. "Pawns in the Game"
    Released: 1990
  2. "The Verdict"
    Released: 1990
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauC[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

Pawns in the Game is the only studio album by the American musician Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples, which included Life (Sean Peacock), Patrick X (Sean Smith), B-Wyze (Robert L. Harding, Jr.), Jim "Obie" O'Brien (John Michael O'Brian), and JXL (Jason Wicks). It was released in 1990 via Luke/Atlantic Records.[6] The recording sessions took place at Skyywalker Recording Studio in Liberty City. The production was mainly handled by Griff, with co-producers O'Brien, Beatmaster Clay D (Clay Dixon) and Kerwin "Sleek" Young. Luke Skyywalker served as the executive producer.

The album peaked at number 127 on the Billboard 200 and number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The title track and "The Verdict" were the only singles released. "Pawns in the Game" entered the Billboard rap singles chart at number 4.

Due to comments made by Griff prior to the album's recording, Pawns in the Game was not carried by every national record chain.[7]

Critical reception

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The Chicago Tribune wrote that "although the music is good, and Griff and his crew are proficient rappers, Pawns in the Game is missing the urgency and spunk that fuel Public Enemy`s recordings."[8] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide called the album "morally irritating."[4] Trouser Press wrote that "although its strong rhythm tracks are gripping enough, the baldly proselytic Pawns in the Game isn’t about entertainment."[9] The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that there are "enough hard beats built into the backing tracks to cover for Griff's sometimes shaky delivery."[5]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Richard Griffin, Sean Peacock, Sean Smith, Robert Harding, John Michael O'Brian and Jason Wicks

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Pawns In The Game"
2:27
2."The Verdict"
  • Professor Griff
  • Beat Master Clay D.
4:28
3."Suzi Wants To Be A Rock Star"
  • Professor Griff
  • Beat Master Clay D.
5:17
4."Real African People 'Rap' Part 1"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
3:44
5."Pass The Ammo"
  • Professor Griff
  • Beat Master Clay D.
4:28
6."Real African People 'Rap' Part 2"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
1:21
7."Love Thy Enemy"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
3:59
8."Rap Terrorist"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
  • Jim "Obie" O'Brien
2:33
9."1-900 Ste Oreo Type"
  • Professor Griff
  • Beat Master Clay D.
4:08
10."Last Asiatic Disciples"
  • Professor Griff
  • Beat Master Clay D.
4:13
11."The Word Of God Griff On Duty"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
3:15
12."The V Amendment"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
  • Jim "Obie" O'Brien
3:50
13."The Interview"
  • Professor Griff
  • Kerwin "Sleek" Young
  • Jim "Obie" O'Brien
4:06
14."It's A Blax Thanx"Professor Griff3:15

Charts

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Chart (1990) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[10] 127
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] 24

References

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  1. ^ Heilman, Dan. "Pawns in the Game - Professor Griff & the Last Asiatic Disciple | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: Album: Professor Griff and the Last Asiatic Disciples: Pawns in the Game". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 669.
  4. ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 904.
  5. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 564.
  6. ^ Baker, Greg (July 11, 1990). "The Education of Professor Griff". Miami New Times.
  7. ^ Harrington, Richard (April 15, 1990). "THE SINGLE-MINDED PROFESSOR" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  8. ^ Tanzilo, Robert. "PROFESSOR GRIFF AND THE LAST ASIATIC DISCIPLES". chicagotribune.com.
  9. ^ "Public Enemy". Trouser Press. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Billboard 200 Chart: Week of May 12, 1990". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart: Week of May 19, 1990". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
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