Retrospective Review: In Control, Volume 1 by Marley Marl
Marley Marl set the tone in delivering the first-ever hip-hop compilation album.
The debate about acknowledgment lingers persistently in hip-hop, especially among veterans. We often reflect regretfully on the diluted influence of DJs within hip-hop, harking back to the golden days when the DJ’s name took precedence over the MC’s on record jackets and albums. However, an often overlooked reality in hip-hop’s evolution phases is that producers rarely received their due acclaim. The reason possibly lies within the blurred distinctions between producers and engineers back then. But today, it’s hard to remember that in the early days, a hip-hop song’s producer was merely a name relegated to the credits’ small print.
Marlon “Marley Marl” Williams claims the title of hip-hop’s first “super producer.” He released In Control, Volume 1, a groundbreaking, producer-led compilation rap album, which included songs from well-established rappers and emerging talent. Born and raised in the notorious Queensbridge housing projects, Marley Marl started his journey manning turntables at talent shows and house parties all over New York City. His mentor was the renowned WBLS DJ, Mr. Magic, who played a crucial role in bringing hip-hop hits into mainstream radio. Marley continued DJing and producing, landing his first significant success as a beat-maker with Lolita “Roxanne Shanté” Gooden’s reply track to the popular UTFO single “Roxanne, Roxanne,” dubbed “Roxanne’s Revenge.” He then finessed his cousin Shawn “MC Shan” Moltke’s hit single “The Bridge.”
Marley stretched the boundaries of preserving the traditional hip-hop sound, pioneering sampler manipulation instead of adhering strictly to drum machines and keyboards. Soon, Marley was instrumental in assembling the Juice Crew, a collective of gifted MCs; he established his record label, Cold Chillin’, and even pinched an exclusive radio show on WBLS aptly named “In Control.” As In Control, the album, made waves in the market, Marley was living a dream. In 1988, he had been at the helm of iconic debut albums like Biz Markie’s Goin’ Off and Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live the Kane.
In addition, he produced various singles for Kool G Rap and was looking to preserve the successful momentum by indulging in another Marley Marl venture. Regardless, Marley Marl has admitted that In Control incorporated primarily what could best be described as “extras.” The album contains unheard tracks previously recorded by Marley and alternate versions of songs destined for future releases. Even so, most of the material was top-drawer and effectively showcased Marley’s rare ability to spot talent.
Marley concentrated on grooming the next generation of Juice Crew talents like Craig G, Tragedy, and Masta Ace once In Control had launched; despite not being legally old enough to enter into recording contracts with Cold Chillin’, teens Craig G and Tragedy demonstrated exceptional professional maturity during their performances. To open the album, Craig G’s debut single “Droppin’ Science,” where he lays down verses like:
“You’re steppin’ to us? You need traction / Or you’ll be another sucker missing in action.”
Tragedy had been collaborating with Marley for quite a few years since the release of In Control. Despite barely making it out of his juvenile years, Tragedy had already been rapping and producing songs under Marley’s supervision from age 12. He also regularly found himself in conflict with the law. Yet, Marley could help Tragedy channel his issues into creating music that reflected his potent talent. “The Rebel,” one of In Control’s standout songs, sees Tragedy delivering lyrically complex rhymes that could easily linger with seasoned MCs in their prime.
Masta Ace made his industry debut with “Keep Your Eyes On the Prize,” in which he skillfully intertwines self-assured arrogance with social commentary. Ace drops bars on his superior poetic talent and encourages his listeners to live life positively, respect their forebears, and rebuke those who exploit others’ grief and desolation for personal gain. Marley and Ace’s association began after Ace bagged the first prize in a local skating rink contest, and the reward was studio time with Marley. Their bond was so strong during their initial session that Marley decided to bring in Ace permanently.
There’s some ambiguity about the project that “We Write the Songs” was initially slated for, but it can be verified that the collaboration between Biz Markie and Heavy D was one of In Control’s highlights. The two legends complement each other well - Biz’s iconic slurred delivery balanced out Heavy D’s crisp verses over a percussion-driven track, adding a personable touch of humor to the song.
But the album’s gem is “The Symphony,” the only song recorded explicitly for In Control. After completing a photo shoot for the album, Marley invited everyone to the studio to make a track. The results were compelling – the song rightly gained its reputation as one of the most incredible group tracks ever. Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, and Big Daddy Kane contributed some of their best verses to this track. Built around the unforgettable piano sample of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle,” the beat Marley produced is one of hip-hop’s most renowned and distinctive beats of all time.
Choosing the best verse from the four formidable MCs is a Herculean task. Ace and Craig G do a fantastic job asserting themselves amid an assembly of renowned talent. Kool G Rap’s verse is revered by many as the song’s high point. The story goes that he rapped for so long that Marley ran out of tape and was forced to trim his verse. Despite the verse shortening, what remains is a hallmark performance – exemplary of G Rap’s legendary status. This isn’t to disregard Big Daddy Kane, who ends the track. Using his trademark smooth-yet-rugged flow, Kane delivers some of the song’s most memorable rhymes.
Side B of In Control, unfortunately, loses its initial momentum. Ace, Craig G, and Tragedy each get their solo tracks but still need to outshine their previous contributions. Tragedy’s “Live Motivator,” albeit an impressive lyrical exercise, is ironically overshadowed by a cheesy synthesizer-based replay of Collage’s “Get In Touch With Me.”
“Duck Alert” by Craig G stands out as the dominant track in the album’s second half. Initially used as a promo for the “In Control” radio show, it doubles up as a continuation of Marley’s fallout with other hip-hop radio personalities. Craig targets DJs Chuck Chillout and Red Alert for criticism over a loop from James Brown’s “Funky President,” punctuating the beat with well-timed scratches.
Despite the album beginning to lose steam towards the end, it continues to deliver robust entries by two eminent Juice Crew members, MC Shan and Roxanne Shanté. The album draws close with Shanté’s faux-Electro style track “Wack It,” a tongue-in-cheek diss track to JJ Fad, which is equally laughable and unforgettable. After In Control, Marley continued his successful run, leading productions in Shan’s Born to Be Wild and Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s debut album Road to the Riches. Marley became part of Mama Said Knock You Out in its entirety when LL Cool J chose him to help restart his career after a rough patch with creativity.
There’s no denying that Marley had a discerning knack for talent. The three MCs that debuted in In Control had successful careers in their rights. Tragedy transformed into Intelligent Hoodlum, then Tragedy Khadafi, and is now a revered veteran MC from Queensbridge. Craig G released numerous quality albums and is considered one of the greatest freestyle/battle rappers ever. Masta Ace has had the most consistent musical career of any artist in the Juice Crew and continues to make good music today.
Reflecting on In Control, Volume 1, the assembled talent pool, even after all these years, is awe-inspiring. These iconic artists owe their success to Marley Marl’s ability to spot and nurture talent. He was instrumental in their musical evolution and provided exceptional beats to accompany their abilities. This combination of Marley’s vision, mastery of his craft, and creation of legendary sounds have earned him the reputation of a hip-hop legend and solidified his position as one of the greatest producers ever.