| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | (B+)[2] |
| Q Magazine | [3] |
And in This Corner… is the third studio album released by MC/DJ duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The album was released in October 1989, reaching #39 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. The album was not released on Compact Disc in the UK. However, it was available on this format in most of Europe.
For the album, the duo took influence from jazz and funk alongside their typical repertoire. They utilized trumpets, saxes, and flutes. Lyrical concepts are fully developed, and set between the comical and crowd concepts. Upon its release, the album was a commercial success as it sold over half a million copies, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. However, compared to the duo's previous work, the album was considered a letdown, only selling half as many copies.[4]
Nevertheless, the album received two Grammy Awards nominations including Best Rap Performance for their first single "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" in 1990 (which lost to Young MC's "Bust a Move") and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the album itself in 1991 (which lost to Quincy Jones, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel & Quincy Jones III's "Back on the Block").
Track listing
- "Then She Bit Me" - 3:35
- "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" - 4:49
- "Jazzy's Groove" - 3:43
- "Everything That Glitters (Ain't Always Gold)" - 4:17
- "You Got It (Donut)" - 4:56
- "The Girlie Had a Mustache" - 4:32
- "The Reverend" - 4:31
- "Who Stole My Car?" - 4:57
- "The Men of Your Dreams" - 4:52
- "Numero Uno" - 4:08
- "Too Damn Hype" - 5:41
- "Jeff Waz on the Beat Box" - 5:42
Samples
Jazzy's Groove
- "The Champ" by The Mohawks
- "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
- "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
- "Nautilus" by Bob James
- "Saturday Night Style" by Mikey Dread
- "Eric B. Is President" by Eric B. & Rakim
- "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy
Jeff Waz on the Beatbox
- "Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is" by The Olympic Runners
- "Sing Sing" by Gaz
- "You'll Like It Too" by Funkadelic
The Girlie Had a Mustache
- "Escape-Ism" by James Brown
- "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins
- "You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks and I'll Be Straight" by Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s
- "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" by Vaughan Mason and Crew
The Reverend
- "Dance to the Music" by Sly & the Family Stone
- "Good Times" by Chic
Too Damn Hype
- "The Big Beat" by Billy Squier
- "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" by Run-DMC
Who Stole My Car?
- "The Grunt" by The J.B.'s
- "Funky President" by James Brown
You Got It (Donut)
- "I Know You Got Soul" by Bobby Byrd
- "Eric B. Is President" by Eric B. & Rakim
Numero Uno
- "Public Enemy No. 1" by Public Enemy
The Men of Your Dreams
- "Change the Beat (Female Version)" by Fab 5 Freddy feat. Beeside
Charts
Chart positions
| Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 77 |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 19 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 39 |
| U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 19 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Ron Wynn (1989-10-31). "And in This Corner... - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "CG: dj jazzy jeff". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Princ - And In This Corner CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 1989-10-31. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
- ^ "And In This Corner..." geniusrap.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ "American album certifications – DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – And in This Corner". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.