In a Word or 2

In a Word or 2 is the second and final album released by rapper Monie Love.^[9] It was released on 23 March 1993 by Warner Bros. Records and was mostly produced by Marley Marl. Prince cowrote and coproduced the title track and "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D."^[10] Monie and producer Aaron "Freedom" Lyles produced the song "I'm a Believer," while producer/remixer Steve "Silk" Hurley was brought in for additional production and remix for the first single "Born to B.R.E.E.D."

In a Word or 2
Studio album by Monie Love
Released	23 March 1993
Recorded	1992–1993
Genre	Hip hop,New Jack Swing
Length	50:27
Label	Warner Bros. Records 45054 Cooltempo/Chrysalis/EMI Records 0946 3 21993 2 4 F2-21993
Producer	Marley Marl^[1] Prince Aaron "Freedom" Lyles Steve "Silk" Hurley
Monie Love chronology
Down to Earth (1990) In a Word or 2 (1993)
Singles from In a Word or 2
"Full Term Love" Released: 1992 "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." Released: 1993 "In a Word or 2" Released: 1993 "Never Give Up" Released: 1993

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]
Chicago Tribune	^[1]
Robert Christgau	^[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[4]
Los Angeles Times	^[5]
Music Week	^[6]
NME	7/10^[7]
Orlando Sentinel	^[8]

Although In a Word or 2 did not chart on the UK Albums Chart or the US Billboard Top 200 Album chart, it reached No. 75 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 36 on the US Top Heatseekers chart. Two singles charted in the US: "Full Term Love" peaked at No. 96 and "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." reached No. 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that "Love's musical voice and singsong delivery are still in effect, but her raps are decidedly more aggressive, lacking the playful air of her first record."^[2] The Encyclopedia of Popular Music called the album "another challenging and articulate set ... informed by Love's recent experience of motherhood."^[4] The Los Angeles Times wrote: "A combination of substance and sass, Monie Love’s second album is tougher and funkier than the pop-hop featured on 1990’s Down to Earth.”^[5] Trouser Press opined that "only 'There’s a Better Way,' a cautionary story about HIV, hits the right mix of music and mind."^[11]

Track listing

1. "Wheel of Fortune"- 3:55
2. "Greasy"- 4:08
3. "Sex U All"- 5:03
4. "Mo' Monie"- 4:14
5. "I'm a Believer"- 3:43
6. "Let a Woman B a Woman"- 4:15
7. "Full Term Love"- 4:44
8. "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D."- 4:06
9. "In a Word or 2"- 3:36
10. "There's a Better Way"- 3:58
11. "4 da Children"- 4:26
12. "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." (Hip-Hop Mix)- 4:12

References

1. May, Mitchell. "Monie Love In A Word Or 2..." chicagotribune.com.
2. "In a Word or 2 - Monie Love | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
3. "Robert Christgau: CG: Monie Love". www.robertchristgau.com.
4. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 349.
5. "MONIE LOVE"In a Word or 2" Warner..." Los Angeles Times. 2 May 1993.
6. Jones, Alan (27 March 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week. p. 31. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
7. Moody, Paul (3 April 1993). "Long Play". NME. p. 28. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
8. Gettelman, Parry (16 April 1993). "Monie Love". Orlando Sentinel.
9. "Monie Love | Biography & History". AllMusic.
10. "SOUND BITES". Tampa Bay Times.
11. "Monie Love". Trouser Press. Retrieved 4 November 2020.