A Prince Among Thieves


A Prince Among Thieves is the second studio album by hip hop artist Prince Paul. A Prince Among Thieves was well received by music critics. Music essayist Robert Christgau has called it "the closest thing to a true rock opera you've ever heard".

Background

The concept follows the story of an aspiring young emcee named Tariq, played by emcee Breezly Brewin, who needs to collect money to record a demo tape before a meeting with Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. The story follows a desperate Tariq, who skips work at his low-paying job and turns to his friend True, played by emcee Big Sha, who introduces him to drug dealing. The two make their way through the drug world, a police ambush, jail, and, finally, a deadly showdown.
The album features cameos by Kool Keith, Big Daddy Kane, Chubb Rock, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Everlast, Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole, Special Ed, Chris Rock, RZA and Buckshot.
While recording, Prince Paul tried to get Vanilla Ice to appear on the album delivering a verse as one of the convicts in the jail scene, but was turned down by Ice's manager.
A single version and video in the style of a film trailer was also produced. Although conceived as a story that would be filmed, a movie never came about. In an interview, Prince Paul said:

Track listing

#TitleProducerPerformer Length
1"Tariq's Dilemma "*Interlude*0:38
2"Pain"Prince PaulSha, Breeze2:14
3"How It All Started"*Interlude*1:19
4"Steady Slobbin'"Prince PaulBreeze2:55
5"Just Another Day"*Interlude*2:19
6"What U Got "Prince PaulSha, Breeze2:29
7"The Hustles On"*Interlude*1:38
8"MC Hustler"Prince PaulHorror City3:51
9"The Call"*Interlude*0:52
10"The Other Line"Prince PaulBreeze, Heroine2:51
11"Crazy Lou's Hideout"*Interlude*1:49
12"Weapon World"Prince PaulKool Keith3:27
13"My Big Chance"*Interlude*1:54
14"War Party"Prince PaulHorror City3:10
15"Count Macula"*Interlude*0:22
16"Macula's Theory"Prince PaulBig Daddy Kane2:36
17"Mr. Large"Prince PaulChubb Rock, Biz Markie1:06
18"Can You Handle It"*Interlude*0:21
19"Put the Next Man On"Prince PaulBreeze, Sha, Superstar3:46
20"I Was In"*Interlude*0:41
21"My First Day"*Interlude*2:29
22"More Than U Know"Prince PaulDe La Soul4:24
23"Room 69"*Interlude*1:49
24"Mood For Love"Prince PaulNewkirk, Sweet Dee, Breeze3:16
25"The Bust"*Interlude*0:45
26"The Men in Blue"Prince PaulEverlast3:33
27"Central Booking"*Interlude*2:04
28"Handle Your Time"Prince PaulSadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole3:53
29"The Rev"*Interlude*0:29
30"Sermon"*Interlude*1:01
31"Showdown"*Interlude*2:56
32"You Got Shot"Prince PaulSha, Breeze3:07
33"Every Beginning Must Have an Ending"*Interlude*1:43
34"The New Joint "*Interlude*0:56
35"A Prince Among Thieves"Prince PaulSha4:42

;Sample credits

The cast

;Album
;Singles
YearSongHot Rap Singles
1999"More Than U Know"45