Description
Originally intended to arrive ahead of the 1992 U.S. presidential election, Paris’ second album was deliberately delayed by the music industry and ultimately withheld until after voters went to the polls. The postponement only intensified the reaction when the record finally surfaced, as Sleeping with the Enemy ignited widespread debate due to its uncompromising political stance.
Two tracks in particular drew national attention: “Bush Killa,” a confrontational revenge narrative aimed at then-president George Bush, criticizing systemic neglect of marginalized communities, and “Coffee, Donuts & Death,” a furious condemnation of police corruption and brutality. Together, the songs positioned the album as a prophetic warning ahead of the unrest that would soon erupt in Los Angeles.
Under pressure from media scrutiny and shareholders at Time Warner, Warner subsidiary Tommy Boy Records refused to release the project. Undeterred, Paris took matters into his own hands, issuing the album through his own Scarface Records.
Bold, defiant, and fiercely committed to free expression, Sleeping with the Enemy pushed the boundaries of political rap and solidified Paris’ reputation as one of hip hop’s most fearless and reflective voices.
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