Balance
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 20, 2003 (2003-05-20)
GenreHip Hop
Length59:22
LabelCoup D'État
Producer
Akrobatik chronology
Balance
(2003)
Absolute Value
(2008)
Singles from Balance
  1. "Hypocrite"
    Released: 2002
  2. "Remind My Soul"
    Released: 2003

Balance is the first studio album by Boston rapper Akrobatik. It was released on May 20, 2003 by Coup D'État. It ranked at number 4 on CMJ's "Hip-Hop 2003" chart.[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Pitchfork7.2/10[3]
PopMatters[4]
RapReviews.com9/10[5]
Tiny Mix Tapes[6]

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd of Pitchfork gave the album a 7.2 out of 10, saying, "The Edan and Fakts One cuts work best with Akrobatik's style, complimenting his relatively straightforward delivery with complex, isolated drumming which sometimes unravels simple breakbeats only to embellish them with surprising, firework-clatter drum fills, confident bass buzz, and quirky funk."[3] Dave Heaton of PopMatters gave the album 8 stars out of 10, describing it as "the work of an artist who not only has important things to say but a talent at articulating those thoughts through his music."[4] Christopher R. Weingarten of CMJ New Music Report wrote, "Within the span of 15 tracks, he tackles misogyny, yearns to follow the proud heritage of the civil rights movement, peacefully breaks up some on-stage static, bemoans environmental destruction and still finds the time to verbally smack suckers."[7]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Prelude to Balance"T. the Beat Specialist2:00
2."Balance"DJ Fakts One3:49
3."Hypocrite"DJ Fakts One2:48
4."The Hand That Rocks the Cradle"Edan2:35
5."Remind My Soul"Illmind4:00
6."Front Steps"DJ Sense4:00
7."Feedback" (featuring Diamond D)Diamond D3:25
8."Cooler Headz"DJ Therapy3:55
9."Wreck Dem" (featuring Mr. Lif)Akrobatik3:13
10."The Bonecrusher"DJ Therapy3:34
11."Woman Pt. II"DJ Revolution4:36
12."Always Bet on Ak"Da Beatminerz3:17
13."Limelight"DJ Therapy4:02
14."Time"The Accomplice4:00
15."Here and Now"D-Tension10:10
Total length:59:22

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

  • Akrobatik – vocals, production (9)
  • T. the Beat Specialist – production (1)
  • DJ Fakts One – production (2, 3), turntables (9)
  • Edan – production (4)
  • Illmind – production (5)
  • DJ Sense – production (6)
  • Diamond D – vocals (7), production (7)
  • DJ Therapy – production (8, 10, 13), turntables (8, 10)
  • Mr. Lif – vocals (9)
  • DJ Revolution – production (11), turntables (11)
  • Da Beatminerz – production (12)
  • DJ Evil Dee – turntables (12)
  • The Accomplice – production (14)
  • D-Tension – production (15)
  • Mark Donahue – mastering
  • Sam Wilson – art direction
  • Tim Linberg – additional design
  • Maya Hayuk – photography

References

  1. "Hip-Hop 2003 (Covering 1/7/2003 to 12/9/2003)". CMJ New Music Report: 20. December 29, 2003.
  2. "Balance - Akrobatik". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Shepherd, Julianne Escobedo (May 15, 2003). "Akrobatik: Balance". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Heaton, Dave (May 19, 2003). "Akrobatik: Balance". PopMatters. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  5. Juon, Steve (April 24, 2003). "Akrobatik :: Balance :: Coup d'Etat Entertainment". RapReviews.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  6. Wolfman. "Akrobatik - Balance". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  7. "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report: 9. May 19, 2003.
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