Album Notes

Brooklyn N.Y. – Mista Lawnge, of the popular 90s group Black Sheep, which released its first Hip Hop album in 1991 A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing will release a new album this month called The Class of ‘89. Using the revised stage name of Mr. Long, this new release is Long’s solo quest for a more “creative and diverse” music genre.

“Today’s Rap is a scratched record focused almost exclusively to street commentary about money, cars, drugs, jail and death,” said Long, who has spent the past 6 years on stage with Black Sheep doing club dates and national tours.

“Being ‘Whack’ is the new dope,” said Long. “I call it a glorification of the ignorance of small minds – where rhymes are about materials things, sex and the underworld and not enough about ‘causes’.”

The Class of ‘89 is Long’s response to a following of fans over the last decade continue to flock to Black Sheep’s concerts seeking the old sound “when Hip Hop was music.” The Album represents Long’s desire to give listeners variety. A variety that swept the Hip Hop airwaves in the 80s and early 90s from artists as diverse as Public Enemy, NWA and 2 Live Crew on one end of the spectrum to GangStar, Black Sheep and Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth on the other end.

‘I am not saying there is no room for lyrics about crime and punishment or sex,” said Long. “I understand why they do what they do because people without money in general like to escape their reality and fantasize about material wealth. This desire was prevalent when I came into the GAME!”

‘My problem is that today’s Rap music does not give those drawn to Rap music any productive ways to get what they desire. I grew up in the hood and I empathize with hustling,” said Long.

“The Class of ’89 is a return of leadership to the Rap generation. Mainstream America may not have related to or understood Hip Hop and its breakthrough in popularity in the 1980s. But it was accepted and even appreciated because the artists displayed talent and creativity through this genius form of expression called Hip Hop,” concluded Long.

Producers, DJs and Hip Hop fans are calling this new album a ‘revival’ and tribute to the true spirit of Hip Hop. Featuring tracks like “I wish you would”, “Quality time”, and “Lickin’ & Stickin’”. The Class of ‘89 will be available as of June 2006 online at mrlongmusic.com. (KEEP IT HIP HOP!)