Released: October 5, 1992
Genre: hip-hop
Label: Livin’ Large • Tommy Boy
Producer: Grand Daddy I. U. • Grandmaster Flash • Kool G Rap • Large Professor • Mister Cee • Trackmasters
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Roxanne Shanté is one of my favorite legendary female rappers, and rightfully so. The iconic emcee first gained attention in the early 80s, and became a household name after her response to UTFO’s hit record Roxanne, Roxanne…..giving us one of the first diss tracks in the world of hip hop.
Shanté went on to become one of the pioneers and prominent women in the world of hip-hop, releasing classic records like I’m Fly Shanté, Pay Back, Go On Girl, Runaway, Bite This, Have a Nice Day, Live on Stage and Loosey’s Rap with Rick James.
Roxanne Shanté’s follow up to her 1989 debut album Bad Sister, was titled The Bitch Is Back. Released on October 5, 1992 through Livin’ Large Records and Tommy Boy Records. I am devastated that it was her final studio album, because it was a HELL of a way to end your career if you ask me. Shanté meant business when it came to The Bitch Is Back. In her early 20s at the time of the album’s release, Shanté showcases her maturity when it came to her lyricism, and her flow was raw, bold, confident and assertive.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Roxanne Shanté’s The Bitch Is Back:
Intro
Written by Calvin LaBurn
Intro is simply our introduction to the Queen!
Deadly Rhymes (featuring Kool G Rap)
Written by Nathaniel Wilson ∙ William Paul Mitchell ∙ Benny Carter
Deadly Rhymes is the follow up record on the album, reuniting Shanté with band member from the Juice Crew (Kool G Rap,) and the duo just goes bar for bar in an iconic battle rap.
- Deadly Rhymes contains a sample of Buck and The Preacher by New Birth
Big Mama
Written by Lolita Gooden ∙ Ayyub Cave
MAMA? MAMA! I gave birth to most of them emcees!
Shanté shows you why she’s the mother of diss records with Big Mama. Big Mama showcases why Roxanne never gave a hot damn about how can get the business on the mic. When I say everyone caught a stray from Monie Love, Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, MC Lyte, Isis & Salt-n-Pepa. I mean Shanté was a teenager going into a rap battle with UTFO, so we should’ve known she wouldn’t care. She did remind the girlies that she is a battle rapper and that only.
Trick or Treat
Written by Nathaniel Wilson
On Trick or Treat, Shanté gives the women who’s not giving up the pussy for free a VOICE, and it had to be said back then and still does.
Gotta Be Free
Written by Joseph Saddler ∙ Tracey Horton ∙ Hank Redd ∙ Nathan Watts ∙ Deniece Williams ∙ Susaye Greene
Gotta Be Free showcases how Shanté can flow on a slow beat. I love this side of her because it still flows well just like a hardcore rap record. Ah, just great.
- Gotta Be Free contains a sample of Free by Deniece Williams
Dance to This
Written by Ayyub Cave ∙ Gene McFadden ∙ John Whitehead ∙ Victor Carstarphen ∙ Leon Huff
Dance to This is a smooth dance record to vibe to if you wanna dance to our girl’s amazing rhymes.
Dance to This contains a sample of:
- Don’t Let Love Get You Down by Archie Bell & The Drells
Yes, Yes, Y’all
Written by Calvin LaBurn ∙ Duval Clear
Yes, Yes, Y’all is another cold dance number from Shanté! I would’ve been getting down on the dance floor to this one!
Straight Razor
Written by Jean-Claude Olivier ∙ Samuel Barnes ∙ Nathaniel Wilson
Straight Razor is one of my favorite songs from this album, and rightfully so. I love the lyricism on this album and the dialogue like the song was playing on the radio.
Shanté Gets Wicked
Written by Calvin LaBurn ∙ Duval Clear
Shanté Gets Wicked is another one of the gems from this album that I enjoy. It definitely has that New York flavor I love so much.
Brothers Ain’t Shit
Written by Lolita Gooden ∙ Nathaniel Wilson ∙ William Paul Mitchell
I LOVE BROTHERS AIN’T SHIT! From a lyrical perspective, Brothers Ain’t Shit has Shanté expressing to the ladies to be cautious of sneaky, lying, manipulative men. A SONG! I interpret that this song is kinda like a response to Dr. Dre’s Bitches Ain’t Shit. It just makes so much sense!
I discovered the greatness of Roxanne Shanté from my mom, who is a huge hip hop fanatic. The Netflix film based on her life strengthened my love for her, and caused me to dive into her music. Although The Bitch Is Back is considered to be her final studio album, it was truly a way to leave the rap game. Every song had potential to be stellar hip hop classics and continues to sit Shanté at the top of the list when it comes to the best female hip hop legends of all time. -mw
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