''The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel'' is the second studio album by
hip hop
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...
supergroup Gravediggaz
Gravediggaz were an American Hip hop music, hip hop group from New York. Known for their Black comedy, dark sense of humor and abrasive, menacing soundscapes, Gravediggaz blended hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap with horror elements to pioneer t ...
. Released on September 16, 1997,
via
Gee Street,
V2 and
BMG Records, the album has a more socially conscious sound and is considerably calmer than its predecessor; it features heavy production input by the
RZA and his production team
the Wu Elements.
In contrast to the group's debut album,
Prince Paul had less involvement in the production of this album. He did produce the
outro and the skit preceding "Hidden Emotions." He was still billed as an official member of the group, however, and appeared on the cover and inserts of the album.
Two singles were released from the album, "Dangerous Mindz" and "The Night the Earth Cried," though neither made it to the ''Billboard'' charts.
Critical reception
''
Spin'' called the album a "fanciful dystopia," writing that "each rap suggests a creative act of desperation."
Rolling Stone (9/18/97, p. 104) – 3 stars (out of 5) – "...an exotic, multilayered soundscape that is often melancholic, but also melodic....the Gravediggaz deliver plenty to sink your pick into."
Entertainment Weekly (10/31/97, p. 108) – "...guest rappers Killah Priest, Omen, and Hell Razor spin oblique horror stories from ghetto hell over bruising beats by RZA and Prince Paul." – Rating: B
Vibe (11/97, p. 149) – "This second offering from Gravediggaz...finds the Wu-Tang boardsman moving away from production and immersing himself fully in the power of words....RZA is a master MC."
Option (11-12/97, p. 100) – "Individually, it seems the Gravediggaz are trying to outdo each other (and every other MC) by writing and rapping denser, more complex rhymes than anybody....they maintain remarkable flow."
Melody Maker (09/13/97, p. 50) – "...machetes injustice, decapitates the real criminals, and burys the lot of 'em in a festering, snake-filled pit."
Rap Pages (11/97, p. 110) – "There's a lifetime supply of meta-force wordplay for the heads, enough braggadocio for the hard-core and plenty of hooks for the pop quadrant."
Track listing
Track listing information is taken from the official
liner notes
Liner notes (also sleeve notes or album notes) are the writings found on the sleeves of LP record albums and in booklets that come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or cassette j-cards.
Origin
Liner notes are descended from the prog ...
.
Notes
* "Fairytalez" features background vocals by
Kelis Rogers.
* "What's Goin' On" features background vocals by
Blue Raspberry.
Samples
* "Unexplained" contains a sample of "Wild Flower" by
New Birth
To be born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelical Christianity, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is d ...
.
* "Fairytalez" contains a sample of "Themes From
Montreal Olympics" by
The Salsoul Orchestra.
* "Never Gonna Come Back" contains a sample of "Love Serenade" by
Barry White.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, The
1997 albums
Gravediggaz albums
Gee Street Records albums
V2 Records albums
Albums produced by Prince Paul (producer)
Albums produced by True Master
Albums produced by 4th Disciple