On today in 1991, Trenton’s personal Poor Righteous Lecturers, Clever Clever, Tradition Freedom, and DJ Father Shaheed, dropped their sophomore album Pure Poverty on Profile Data, following up their acclaimed debut Holy Mind.

Largely produced by New Jersey beatsmith Toney Dofat (higher often called Tony D), the 13-track undertaking didn’t break into the mainstream the best way their first album did. By the early ’90s, main labels have been shifting advertising and marketing {dollars} away from acutely aware Hip Hop and pushing “gangsta rap” acts as a substitute. That very same 12 months, DJ Quik’s Quik Is the Title went gold in simply 4 months on the exact same label, whereas teams like PRT obtained much less of a push.

Nonetheless, Pure Poverty delivered highly effective data that resonated with followers of substance and elegance. Standouts included “Shakiyla,” a heartfelt dedication to Black girls; “The Nation’s Anthem,” their very own spin on the 5% Nation’s anthem; and the head-nodding, knowledge-laced “Strategies of Dropin’ Psychological.” The album carried on PRT’s custom of sharp lyricism and teachings rooted within the Nation of Gods and Earths, cementing their place in Hip Hop’s acutely aware motion.

At the moment, we salute Clever Clever, Tradition Freedom, and Tony D for persevering with to raise the tradition — and we ship a supreme relaxation in peace to Father Shaheed, who tragically handed away in a motorbike accident in 2014 at simply 45 years previous. Pure Povertyoor righteous academics stays a timeless reminder of Hip Hop’s revolutionary spirit and the significance of message music within the tradition.