The music of "Murder Rap", as produced by Dr. Dre, consists of an ominous siren sound, and backwards, looped drum beats.[3]Allmusic's Alex Henderson says that the song's lyrics "let listeners know exactly what life in South Central was like."[4]
Reception
In his Allmusic review, Alex Henderson wrote that "The imaginative Dre's input as a producer is consistently beneficial", saying that the music "comes alive" as a result of Dr. Dre's input.[4] Regarding Above the Law's lyrical content, Henderson wrote, "the Angelenos had some freshness."[4] A review of the song by Frank Owen in Spin praised Dr. Dre's production, saying that the producer "has a remarkable talent for making noise funky, and he shows it to great effect".[5] However, Owen criticized Above the Law as lyricists, writing, "they present this hardcore life without any of the dandy charm that Big Daddy Kane or Oran 'Juice' Jones bring to it."[5]Vibe praised the song as "a breathtaking assembly", complimenting the music and Cold 187um's raps.[3]
Legacy
In 1998, the song was included on the compilation Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary: Decade of Game.[2] In 2002, Insane Clown Posse released a cover of the song on their album The Wraith: Shangri-La.[6] This version of the song appeared as the B-side of ICP's single "Hell's Forecast". In 2006, ICP's cover was remixed for The Wraith: Remix Albums by Filthee Immigrants.[6] Insane Clown Posse's cover of the song led to a professional relationship between ICP and Cold 187 um, and he later signed to Psychopathic Records as a solo rapper.[7]
