Dear TAN: Which Gang Starr Album Should I Buy?

I once started a neverending interview, but now we're switching to a "Dear TAN" feature. Send your questions/letters to theassimilatednegro [at] gmail [dot] com.

In this edition: G-A-N-G to the Starr, son.

Dear TAN,

If i were to buy only one Gang Starr album, which should it be?

TC

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Dear TC,

oooh...

well they have a fairly comprehensive double album of their hits -- Full Clip -- you can't go wrong with that.

looking on itunes, apparently they have another greatest hits album, i haven't peeped it myself, but it's 20 tracks to 30+ on the other, and a little cheaper. again, figure those are the best bets.

But if you're looking for a real album, to achieve that authentic Gang Starr experience, you have to choose between Hard To Earn and Daily Operation. my vote would be Hard to Earn, I think that's their most complete album. But you lose Ex Girl to Next Girl and Take It Personal, and I'd shed a tear if I could never hear those songs again....

Then again, presuming you're an Obama lover, and if we go along with hip hop paving the way for Obama, you might want to go ahead and cop both those albums and chalk it up as back pay. Maybe tell your negro friends (i know a black person isn't asking which gang starr album to buyy) that you put 5 on it (+ another $15 for inflation) on some hip hop reparations tip. That would be thoughtful, generous, and provide some multi-cultural oriented entertainment/chatter for your next cocktail party (soundtracked by Gang Starr of course).

Also, make sure you drop that extra wisdom about "Dwyck" on that girl you have your eye on, she''ll surely be impressed.

good luck!

-TAN

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UPDATE:


Dear TAN,

man..

i'm all about going with the full albums. i like getting the feel of a whole album as opposed to just hits.

well, think i might go "with hard to earn" since it has your jam Dwyck on it and mass appeal. probably will go with moment of truth too. everyone online is apparently in love with "moment of truth". a hundred hip hop fans can't be wrong, can they? wait...

other than winning the new yorker caption contest, contributing a "dear TAN" is a major life goal of mine. that would be sweet. guide us to hip hop greatness.

thanks man

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no, thank you TC, for allowing me the opportunity to further spread the love that is primo production. if you close your eyes while listening, you might see the synchronized neck-snapping of a million TANs who came up on this ...enjoy, assimilate and be merry! and thanks for the note.