Rare and Unreleased

iTunes Review

Coming out of Trenton, New Jersey, Poor Righteous Teachers were one of many groups (alongside Brand Nubian, Wu-Tang, and X-Clan), that embraced and spread messages of the Nation of Gods and Earths, also called Five Percenters, in their music. Comprised of Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom, and Father Shaheed, they released three albums during their major label heyday in the early nineties, and dropped several choice singles — "Rock Dat Funky Joint," "Shakiylah," "Time To Say Peace," and "Easy Star" among others — but never really broke through to the mainstream. Regardless, they have a loyal following of older heads and new fans, pulled in by their unique reggae-fied rhyme styles, neck-bending beatwork, and ardently positive, pro-Black lyrics. This EP includes six super-obscure tracks, all produced by the immensely skilled and woefully underrated Tony D (R.I.P.). Though the sound quality isn't top-notch, the songs are amazing, just as good if not better than their signature hits. The extra-hype "Styles Dropped (U.K. Mix)" and chime-laced "Steady Slangin (Project Mix)" are especially dope.