Born to Be Wild Tracklist
MC Shan’s Born to Be Wild is the rapper’s third studio album, released in 1988 on Cold Chillin' Records. The album was produced by Marley Marl, who had also worked on Shan’s previous albums, and featured guest appearances from a number of notable hip hop artists, including Chuck D of Public Enemy, Ice-T, and M.C. Hammer.
The album showcases Shan’s signature style of storytelling and clever wordplay over Marley Marl’s distinctive sample-based beats. The album’s standout tracks include “Juice Crew Law,” which features Shan and fellow Juice Crew member Craig G trading verses over a funky beat, and “Words of a Freestyle,” which showcases Shan’s lyrical prowess and improvisational skills.
Although “Born to Be Wild” was not as commercially successful as Shan’s previous albums, it is still regarded as a classic of the Golden Age of hip hop. The album’s raw, unfiltered sound and Shan’s charismatic delivery have influenced generations of rappers who came after him, and it remains a beloved and influential work in the hip hop canon.
