Arabian Prince – Innovative Life
Surprising electro roots from a pioneer of gangsta rap
If Arabian Prince is not a name you are familiar with then it’s time to get acquainted. Alongside Dr Dre, he was one of the founding members of the multi-platinum selling N.W.A. - the group who pioneered the gangsta rap phenomenon. Ironically, the group's success far over-shadowed his own much-loved early electro-rap work, meaning some of this material has rarely been heard until now. This album serves as an anthology, with all the tracks recorded between 1984 and 1989. The sharply delivered lyrics of tracks like Panic Zone and Innovator are hard-edged, but the synth-driven melody is ethereal and distant. It gives a great insight into what West Coast electro could have been if the rap phenomenon hadn’t eclipsed it to obscurity. With more and more hip-hop/electro crossovers like Chromeo and Kid Sister reigniting this 80s sound, Arabian Prince’s work is just as relevant now as it was on its first release. [Emma Kilday]