This compilation comprises five tracks from Shanté's uneven debut Bad Sister, six from her merciless sequel, The Bitch Is Back, plus an over-produced new song and the deathless hit single, "Roxanne's Revenge," teenage... more » Lolita Gooden's smart-ass riposte to U.T.F.O.'s "Roxanne, Roxanne." Shanté has attitude in her veins, and nobody else can come up with a dis as devastating as hers. When she turns her attention to dance tracks, though, it's not as effective as when she's tearing new orifices in MCs she doesn't like (meaning any who aren't named Roxanne Shanté). But then there's her voice, a high-grade sandpaper wonder, breathlessly racing through her catalog of snaps, like a bratty little sister who's fought her way all the way up to the throne. --Douglas Wolk« less
This compilation comprises five tracks from Shanté's uneven debut Bad Sister, six from her merciless sequel, The Bitch Is Back, plus an over-produced new song and the deathless hit single, "Roxanne's Revenge," teenage Lolita Gooden's smart-ass riposte to U.T.F.O.'s "Roxanne, Roxanne." Shanté has attitude in her veins, and nobody else can come up with a dis as devastating as hers. When she turns her attention to dance tracks, though, it's not as effective as when she's tearing new orifices in MCs she doesn't like (meaning any who aren't named Roxanne Shanté). But then there's her voice, a high-grade sandpaper wonder, breathlessly racing through her catalog of snaps, like a bratty little sister who's fought her way all the way up to the throne. --Douglas Wolk
CD Reviews
Not bad, but her best tracks aren't here
03/16/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a lost opportunity. Roxanne Shante's best tracks were the three singles she released before her first album. Only the first one, 'Roxanne's Revenge' is here, and it was always the weakest of the three. If you want to hear Shante at her very best, then the two following single releases 'Queen Of Rox: Shante Rox On' and the apocalyptic 'Bite This' are the tracks to find. It's incredible that they're not on here. The tracks that are here are some average tracks from her debut album, (in which she went for the mainstream and lost what made her good), and better ones from the second album, which included her fourth and last classic track, 'Big Mama'. Not bad overall, and better this than nothing, but without those two singles, this is a very flawed compliation."
Good effort 4 stars
09/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am still a big fan of Shante even though she is no longer in the business. I have reviewed this and I can say honestly say it is not worth 5 stars. The problem with this is not album content, it is Shante's career. The people behind all of this were not with her and that is why most of the people who were also on the label are not around or floundering (see Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G. Rap, Craig G, Master Ace, T.J. Swann, Cold Chillin Records, Livin' Large Records). They had talent, but no guidance, no business mind and that is why none of them are in the game anymore and I blame that on the heads of the aofrementioned record labels. I love Shante, but the people guiding her career need to be drawn and quartered. I will give it 4 stars."
Good, but could have been better
12/05/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Roxanne Shante', by no doubt is one of the Queens of hip hop and I have always loved her work. This is a great album and it showcased many of her early hits, but I just wished that this greatest hits collection could have included some of her freestyles that she used to do at her concerts. She used to battle the Cold Crush Brothers, UTFO, Real Roxanne, and others. Other than that, this was a great album for many of her fans to hear."
Glad this work will go into posterity
05/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Was extremely pysched this CD was out. Its been maybe a decade since my wife and I heard a bootleg of a live performance of Roxanne Shante's Roxanne's Revenge. I was a little worried that it wouldn't hold up to the memory of it but found the CD to be excelent. The afore mentioned cut is orchestrated a little thin in the old school turntable/sequencer manner that sounds a little dated now and the cut sounds more studio and less raw then the cut on vinyl. The other tracks on the disk do have a rewarding density to the turntable work and Roxanne has a more mature but still real and bratty Girl Power voice... different from the sultry type voice of "I'll steal your man!" type female MCs. Her voice is richer than when she was 14 but still has the breathless destinctive quality with a trace of Italian American NYC intonation that my wife picked out. It is a strong sexy voice, she disses rival MCs fierce but its what she is willing to put out about the common man and boy/girl relations that makes her lyricks stand out. She still sings about holding her own and you believe she gotta right to. Only thing that bugged me was the gaybaiting dissing of bull daggers but I guess no one is 100% PC. Very righteous. A very good buy."
The REAL queen of rap!
07/31/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this cd is a definate must have for old school rap fans! shante is the leader in the female rap ring!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1