| Don't Sweat the Technique | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Eric B. & Rakim | |
|
Released |
June 23, 1992 |
|
Recorded |
May 1991 - February 1992 |
|
Studio |
The Hit Factory |
|
Genre |
East Coast hip hop, Jazz rap, Conscious hip hop, Hardcore hip hop |
|
Length |
47:21 |
|
Label |
MCA Records |
|
Producer |
|
| Eric B. & Rakim chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Previous |
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990) |
Don't Sweat the Technique is the fourth and final studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. It was released on June 23, 1992 through MCA Records. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory in New York City from May 1991 to February 1992. Production was handled entirely the duo themselves. The album builds on the sounds of their 1990 album Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, with Rakim sounding more aggressive on Eric B's jazzy, soulful production.
The album debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Don't Sweat the Technique released the singles: "Know the Ledge", "Casualties of War" and the title song "Don't Sweat the Technique"
Track listing[]
All songs performed by Rakim.
| No. | Title | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "What's On Your Mind?" | 5:31 |
| 2. | "Teach the Children" | 3:01 |
| 3. | "Pass the Hand Grenade" | 3:14 |
| 4. | "Casualties of War" | 4:02 |
| 5. | "Rest Assured" | 3:36 |
| 6. | "The Punisher" | 4:10 |
| 7. | "Relax with Pep" | 4:00 |
| 8. | "Keep the Beat" | 4:15 |
| 9. | "What's Going On?" | 3:52 |
| 10. | "Know the Ledge" | 3:58 |
| 11. | "Don't Sweat the Technique" | 4:22 |
| 12. | "Kick Along" | 3:26 |
Samples[]
What's On Your Mind?
- "Curious" by Midnight Star
- "Do the Funky Penguin" by Rufus Thomas
Teach the Children
- "Funky Broadway" by James Brown
- "High as Apple Pie - Slice II (Long Version)" by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
Pass the Hand Grenade
- "Headless Heroes" by Eugene McDaniels
- "Jungle Love" by George S. Clinton
Casualties of War
- "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons
- "Breakout" by Johnny Hammond
Rest Assured
- "Life Could" by Rotary Connection
- "Dump the Bump" by Olympic Runners
- "Try a Little Harder" by The Crusaders
- "In the Ghetto" by Eric B. & Rakim
The Punisher
- "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James
- "Gangster Boogie" by Chicago Gangsters
Relax With Pep
- "Able Mable" by Mable John
- "What's Up Front That Counts" by The Counts
- "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
Keep the Beat
- "Joy" by Isaac Hayes
- "Blacks and Blues" by Bobbi Humphrey
What's Going On?
- "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band
- "(I Know) I'm Losing You" by Rare Earth
- "Love Potion-Cheeba-Cheeba" by Mighty Tom Cats
Know the Ledge
- "Let's Dance" and "Celebrate the Good Things" by Pleasure
- "Rise, Sally Rise" by Nat Adderley
- "The Pleasant Pheasant" by Billy Cobham
- "I Feel an Urge" by Syl Johnson
Don't Sweat the Technique
- "Give It Up" by Kool & the Gang
- "Queen of the Nile" by Young-Holt Unlimited
Kick Along
- "Upshot" by Grant Green
- "Come on Feet Do Your Thing" by Melvin Van Peebles