A Prince Among Thieves is the second studio album by hip hop artist Prince Paul. A Prince Among Thieves was well received by music critics. Music essayist Robert Christgau has called it "the closest thing to a true rock opera you've ever heard". Background The concept follows the story of an aspiring young emcee named Tariq, played by emcee Breezly Brewin, who needs to collect money to record a demo tape before a meeting with Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA. The story follows a desperate Tariq, who skips work at his low-paying job and turns to his friend True, played by emcee Big Sha, who introduces him to drug dealing. The two make their way through the drug world, a police ambush, jail, and, finally, a deadly showdown. The album features cameos by Kool Keith, Big Daddy Kane, Chubb Rock, Biz Markie, De La Soul, Everlast, Sadat X, Xzibit, Kid Creole, Special Ed, Chris Rock, RZA and Buckshot. While recording, Prince Paul tried to get Vanilla Ice to appear on the album delivering a verse as one of the convicts in the jail scene, but was turned down by Ice's manager. A single version and video in the style of a film trailer was also produced. Although conceived as a story that would be filmed, a movie never came about. In a 2013 interview, Prince Paul said: Track listing Sample credits "Pain" samples "Pain" by The Watts Prophets. "Steady Slobbin'" samples "Reach Out" by Average White Band. "What U Got" samples "I'll Play the Blues for You" by Albert King. "The Other Line" samples "You Better Get It" by Joe Tex. "Weapon World" samples "Get Outta My Life Woman" by The New Apocalypse. "War Party" samples "Love Without Sex" by Gwen McCrae. "Macula's Theory" samples "Wind, Blow Her Back My Way" by Syl Johnson. "More Than U Know" samples "I Like It (Corn Flakes) by Extra T's. "Mood for Love" samples "Impeach the President" by The Honeydrippers. "The Men in Blue" samples "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss. "Handle Your Time" samples "Having You Around" by Skull Snaps and "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by The Whatnauts. "You Got Shot" sample "Midnight Theme" by Manzel and "Brooklyn Zoo" by Ol' Dirty Bastard. Personnel The cast Tariq: Breezly Brewin True: Big Sha Mother: Monkey Officer O'Maley Bitchkowski: Everlast Crazy Lou: Kool Keith Mr. Large: Chubb Rock Mr. Large Security: Ken (Special K)