Down to Earth is the debut studio album by English rapper Monie Love. It was released on 30 October 1990 on Warner Bros. Records. It peaked at 109 on the Billboard 200 and at 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned three charting singles. "It's a Shame (My Sister)" became Monie's only top-40 hit in the U.S., and peaked at 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Monie in the Middle" and "Down 2 Earth" were both successful on the R&B and hip hop charts.

Critical reception

In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau gave Down to Earth an "A−" and was impressed by Love's proud sensibilities, as she "radiates sisterhood even though she concentrates on the guys, and positivity and tradition" without much culturally or politically conscious lyrics. The New York Times concluded that the album was "a letdown, as it settles for midtempo pop raps with slight insights". Alex Henderson, in a retrospective review for AllMusic, wrote that Love raps well, but lacks worthwhile stories on an otherwise good album. At the 33rd Grammy Awards, "Monie in the Middle" was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance, but lost to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This". The following year at the 34th Grammy Awards, she was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance again for "It's a Shame (My Sister)" but lost to LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out".

Track listing

Note: Tracks 7, 13, 15, 16, and 17 were included in the UK edition but omitted from the U.S. edition.

Samples

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts