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Whoa. Time continues to slip into the future because today marks the 30th anniversary of hip-hop’s very first double LP on Compact disc! We here at Faygoluvers.net are talking about Esham’s legendary “Judgement Day” double LP! An album so influential to Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene, even Insane Clown Posse paid respect towards the double LP by covering its title track “Judgement Day” in honor of Hallowicked 2018! Officially released on Thursday, April 9, 1992, Detroit’s very own Acid Rap Grim Reaper that is Esham the Unholy, proved the wicket shit was destined to flourish among the underworld of hip-hop forever through Judgement Day’s metallic gut ripping approach! Where were you when you first bumped ‘Judgement Day’ Vol 1 and Vol 2 back to back?! What are your favorite ‘Judgement Day’ tracks? Leave your thoughts below!
From Reel Life Productions:
“Originally released as two volumes in April 1992, Judgement Day is rap’s first double album. Although it has been almost totally ignored by the hip-hop establishment, Esham’s sophomore effort stands as a lo-fi rap masterpiece. Even now, the songs come off bold. If it had never been done before, then Esham was interested in trying it. The album features some of the most inventive uses of samples on any rap record from this era — even the commonly used samples appear here raw and invigorated. Esham’s delivery is rough and venomous, the perfect tone for his devilish subject matter. The music manages to unite the savage intent of heavy metal, the raw attack of early hip-hop, and the hallucinatory atmosphere of psychedelic rock. The fact that the production values are rough-hewn only adds to the album’s appeal. Taken as a whole, these thirty tracks represent a thrilling, and often terrifying, listening experience. Be sure not to miss “Nine Dead Bodies,” “Momma Was a Junkie,” “Acid,” “Losing My Religion,” “Judgement Day,” “Living In Incest” and “Finger In the Cake Mix.”
Daniel Jordan (Reel Life Productions Alumni) reacts to “Judgement Day” turning 30:
“I cannot remember if this was the first or second album I ever purchased from Esham. However, it was in the used bin at Rasputin Records in the bay area for only five dollars. I had read about him in murder dog magazine for years so I decided to check him out. I was not disappointed at all. From the descriptive storytelling (How Do I Plead to Homicide?). To the introspective thoughts of a young man during an existential crisis asking the real questions of what happens after death (Fallen Angel)? He encapsulated a magic during the sessions and was able to harness a wave of inspiration that was coming his way. You can tell Esham is in the ultimate flow state while making this record. I’d love to see a remastered 30th-anniversary edition come out because I can play in my car with the booming system!”
From the All Music Guide To Hip-Hop Archives:
Faygoluvers Comments
BZA
Comment posted on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 09:32 pm GMT -5 at 9:32 pm
Has the same problem as all double albums, it would’ve made an amazing single disc
Guest
Comment posted on Monday, April 11th, 2022 12:11 pm GMT -5 at 12:11 pm
The first double album in hip-hop came out four years before Judgement Day. It was He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
Chad T. Carsten
Comment posted on Monday, April 11th, 2022 10:36 pm GMT -5 at 10:36 pm
Yes, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff Released “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper” in 1988 as two vinyls but it was considered as one album, not two separate listening expierences. Matter of fact “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper’ didn’t get fully released in its entirety on CD until September 2017. In the mainstream eyes, they mistakenly count 2 Pac’s 1996 album “All Eyez On Me” as hip-hop’s first double album (quick Google search will show several wrong sources stating this).But “Judgement Day” was out on CD and Vinyl format before Pac too.
Noawareness
Comment posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 04:36 am GMT -5 at 4:36 am
Officially, He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper is the first hip hop double LP. So much so that the CD release had to be edited to fit on a single disc. “Listening appearances” aside, the first hip hop double LP was He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper.
Chad T. Carsten
Comment posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 10:01 am GMT -5 at 10:01 am
Agreed on vinyl. But not on CD :p
Guest
Comment posted on Friday, April 15th, 2022 08:32 am GMT -5 at 8:32 am
“two vinyls but it was considered as one album, not two separate listening expierences”
What does this even mean? An album isn’t “double” unless it uses Esham’s gimmick? Laughable. I’m am glad you edited the article to clarify that Esham did not have the first double album in hip hop but since you are a journalist, I wanted to let you know that the plural of vinyl is “vinyl.” Good luck.
Guest
Comment posted on Friday, April 15th, 2022 08:34 am GMT -5 at 8:34 am
“expierences”
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