Holy Intellect

Holy Intellect
Studio album by Poor Righteous Teachers
Released	May 29, 1990
Recorded	1989−1990
Genre	Hip hop
Label	Profile Arista 01515-11289
Producer	Tony D Eric IQ Gray
Poor Righteous Teachers chronology
Holy Intellect (1990) Pure Poverty (1991)

Holy Intellect is the debut album by hip-hop group Poor Righteous Teachers, famous for its pro-Five-Percenter messages.^[1][2] It includes "Rock Dis Funky Joint", which sampled "Slippin' into Darkness" by War, a 1970s funk band.

The album is broken down track-by-track by Poor Righteous Teachers in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.^[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]

The Washington Post stated that Poor Righteous Teachers "promote black unity, a 'knowledge of self', which, combined with swinging grooves, tasteful samples and swift rapping, makes for a funky, uplifting experience."^[5] The New York Times noted the "nimble, free-associative raps over riffs that change just often enough".^[6]

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's "100 Best Rap Albums".^[7]

Track listing

• All tracks produced by Tony D, except tracks 8 and 10 produced by Eric IQ Gray

#	Title	Performer (s)
1	"Can I Start This?"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
2	"Rock Dis Funky Joint"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
3	"Strictly Ghetto"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
4	"Holy Intellect"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
5	"Shakiyla"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
6	"Time to Say Peace"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
7	"Style Dropped/Lessons Taught"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
8	"Speaking Upon a Blackman"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
9	"So Many Teachers"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
10	"Word from the Wise"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
11	"Butt Naked Booty Bless"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom
12	"Poor Righteous Teachers"	Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990) Peak position US Billboard 200[8] 142 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[9] 17

Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10] 42

Singles

Year	Song	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	Hot Rap Singles
1990	"Rock Dis Funky Joint"	17	4
1990	"Holy Intellect"	71	16

References

1. Reeves, Marcus (2009). Somebody Scream! Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 86.
2. Leland, John (Mar 3, 1990). "The Trick Is Keeping It Positive". Part II. Newsday. p. 17.
3. Coleman, Brian. Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
4. Andy Kellman. "Holy Intellect Poor Righteous Teachers". AllMusic. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
5. Mills, David (Aug 12, 1990). "Rap and the Righteous; The Hip-Hop Movement's New Message Music". The Washington Post. p. G1.
6. Pareles, Jon (Dec 6, 1990). "'Radical' Rap: Of Pride and Prejudice". The New York Times. p. A1.
7. "100 Best Rap Albums". The Source. No. #100. New York. January 1998. ISSN 1063-2085. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
8. "Poor Righteous Teachers, TLP". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
9. "Poor Righteous Teachers, BLP". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
10. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2021.

External links

• Holy Intellect at Discogs (list of releases)