In Control, Volume 1

In Control, Volume 1 is the debut studio album by American hip hop record producer Marley Marl, of the Juice Crew.^[1] It was released on September 20, 1988, through Cold Chillin' Records with distribution via Warner Bros. Records.

In Control, Volume 1
Studio album by Marley Marl
Released	September 20, 1988 (1988-09-20)
Genre	East Coast hip hop golden age hip hop
Label	Cold Chillin' Warner Bros.
Producer	Marley Marl
Marley Marl chronology
In Control, Volume 1 (1988) In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure) (1991)
Singles from In Control, Volume 1
"The Symphony" Released: 1988 "Droppin' Science" Released: 1988

The album compiles ten studio recordings by fellow Juice Crew members and artists affiliated with Marley Marl. It showcased his style of hip hop production and sampling at a time when he became one of the first super-producers in hip hop music.^[2] The album is broken down track-by-track by Marley Marl in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.^[3]

The opulent cover stood in contrast to Marley Marl's real living conditions: "I was still living in the projects. I was paying like $110 a month for my rent, free electricity. So New York City Housing Authority kind of co-produced some of my earlier hits".^[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
Robert Christgau	B+[6]

Chris Witt of AllMusic wrote that: "Marley Marl's groundbreaking production and the strength of the various MCs showcased on In Control, Vol. 1 make the album a must for anyone even remotely interested in hip-hop's history."^[5] Ira Robbins of Trouser Press noted that "the album's diversity is to its credit, but Marl gives too much play to second-string rhymers, leaving the LP's few highlights (such as the Biz twigging Barry Manilow in 'We Write the Songs' and Shanté playing cute word games in 'Wack Itt') adrift on a sea of verbal boreplay."^[7]

In 2022, Rolling Stone placed In Control, Volume 1 at number 171 on their list of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. The magazine's writer Christopher R. Weingarten said, "Not just a showcase for the funkiest producer of the early sampling era, not just the first attempt by a rap producer to step out as an artist, but a platform for the entire Juice Crew umbrella, easily the most powerful and virtuosic rap crew of the late Eighties."^[8]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Droppin' Science" (featuring Craig G)	Craig Curry Marlon Williams	4:59
2.	"We Write the Songs" (featuring Heavy D and Biz Markie)	Dwight Myers Marcel Theo Hall Williams	5:25
3.	"The Rebel" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)	Percy Chapman Williams	3:46
4.	"Keep Your Eye on the Prize" (featuring Master Ace and Action)	Duval Clear Williams	5:42
5.	"The Symphony" (featuring Master Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane)	Clear Curry Nathaniel Wilson Antonio Hardy Williams	6:06
6.	"Live Motivator" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)	Chapman Williams	4:45
7.	"Duck Alert" (featuring Craig G)	Curry Williams	4:12
8.	"Simon Says" (featuring Master Ace and Action)	Clear Williams	4:02
9.	"Freedom" (featuring M.C. Shan)	Shawn Moltke Williams	4:27
10.	"Wack Itt" (featuring Roxanne Shante)	Lolita Gooden Williams	4:45

Personnel

• Marlon "Marley Marl" Williams – main artist, producer, mixing
• Craig "Craig G" Curry – featured artist (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
• Marcel "Biz Markie" Hall – featured artist (track 2)
• Dwight "Heavy D" Myers – featured artist (track 2)
• Percy "Tragedy Khadafi" Chapman – featured artist (tracks: 3, 6)
• Duval "Masta Ace" Clear – featured artist (tracks: 4, 5, 8)
• Action – featured artist (tracks: 4, 8)
• Nathaniel "Kool G Rap" Wilson – featured artist (track 5)
• Antonio "Big Daddy Kane" Hardy – featured artist (track 5)
• Shawn "MC Shan" Moltke – featured artist (track 9)
• Lolita "Roxanne Shanté" Gooden – featured artist (track 10)
• George DuBose – photography
• James Colosimo – logo design

Charts

Chart (1988)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[9]	163
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10]	25