Guerillas in tha Mist is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Da Lench Mob, who originally appeared on Ice Cube's debut solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. The titular "Guerillas in tha Mist" was a hit at the release of the album. The album was produced by Ice Cube, who is also featured throughout the album though uncredited. The album peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200,[3] number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[4] and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 18, 1992, indicating US sales of over 500,000 units.[5] The single "Freedom Got an A.K." peaked at number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs.[6]

Guerillas In Tha Mist
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 22, 1992
RecordedJune 1991 – April 1992
StudioEcho Sound (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length41:24
Label
ProducerIce Cube (also exec.)
Da Lench Mob chronology
Guerillas In Tha Mist
(1992)
Planet of da Apes
(1994)
Singles from Guerillas in tha Mist
  1. "Guerillas in tha Mist"
    Released: August 19, 1992[2]
  2. "Freedom Got an A.K."
    Released: November 1992

The album title is a pun on the popular movie title Gorillas in the Mist and guerrilla warfare. In the post-Los Angeles riot atmosphere of the album's release, the title was also perceived as a clever reference to a comment made by one of the police officers who had arrested Rodney King. Laurence Michael Powell, one of King's arresting officers, had described through radio message a domestic disturbance involving two blacks as something straight from Gorillas in the Mist. Powell's comment was considered highly racist, comparing black people to gorillas, and was used against the officer during the Rodney King trial.[7]

Commercial performance

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The album was certified gold on December 18, 1992, selling over 500,000 copies.[8]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [9]
Los Angeles Times    [1]
RapReviews8/10[10]
The Source     [11]

The Los Angeles Times praised the "snarling raps, sharp humor, canny observations and fast, funky beats."[1]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Capital Punishment in America"1:55
2."Buck the Devil"4:28
3."Lost in tha System"3:34
4."You and Your Heroes"2:59
5."All on My Nut Sack"4:33
6."Guerillas in tha Mist"4:25
7."Lenchmob Also in the Group"1:47
8."Ain't Got No Class" (featuring B-Real)3:35
9."Freedom Got an A.K."3:03
10."Ankle Blues"2:47
11."Who Ya Gonna Shoot wit That"2:43
12."Lord Have Mercy"3:40
13."Inside the Head of a Black Man"1:55
Total length:41:24

Notes

  • Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 featured uncredited vocals by Ice Cube.

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (1992–93) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200[12] 24
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[13] 4
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales[14] 10

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hunt, Dennis (Oct 11, 1992). "In Brief". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 64.
  2. ^ "Da Lench Mob "Guerillas In The Mist" [HD]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  3. ^ "Da Lench Mob Guerillas In Tha Mist Chart History". Billboard 200. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  4. ^ "Da Lench Mob Guerillas In Tha Mist Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Da Lench Mob Freedom Got An A.K. Chart History". Hot Rap Songs. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Doug Linder (1991-03-03). "Kingkeyfigures". Law.umkc.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  8. ^ a b "American album certifications – Da Lench Mob – Guerillas In Tha Mist". Recording Industry Association of America.
  9. ^ Swihart, Stanton. "Guerillas in tha Mist Da Lench Mob". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  10. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (June 9, 2009). "Da Lench Mob Guerillas in tha Mist". RapReviews. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  11. ^ B., Jimmy (November 1992). "Record Report: Da Lench Mob – Guerillas in the Mist". The Source. No. 38. New York. pp. 63–64.
  12. ^ "Music". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  13. ^ "Da Lench Mob Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
  14. ^ "Da Lench Mob Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
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