A Lesson to Be Learned

A Lesson to Be Learned is the debut album by RBL Posse, the Hunters Point, San Francisco group of Black C, Mr. Cee and Hitman, released in September 1992 by In-A-Minute Records. It is one of the defining records of 90s San Francisco street rap.

The story

The trio formed in 1991 and quickly became Hunters Point’s loudest voice. “Don’t Give Me No Bammer” was the breakout, reaching No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart, while “G’s by the 1, 2, 3’s” linked them with East Palo Alto’s Totally Insane. The album reached No. 60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart without major-label backing.

Sound and production

In-A-Minute’s in-house sound gave the record slow, heavy funk grooves and dark keys under the group’s hard-edged storytelling. T.C., who produced much of the label’s catalog, handled production on part of the album.

Legacy

Mr. Cee was killed in 1996 and Hitman in 2003, leaving Black C to carry the name. Original In-A-Minute pressings are now sought-after pieces of Bay Area rap history.