Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Pity the Fool

Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks is an album by the American musician Mr. Len, released in 2001.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
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Pity the Fool
Studio album by
Mr. Len
Released2001
GenreHip-hop
LabelMatador
Mr. Len chronology
What the Fuck/Straight
(2000) 		Pity the Fool
(2001) 		Class X, A Tribute to Company Flow
(2003)

Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks is an album by the American musician Mr. Len, released in 2001.12

Production

Mr. Len wanted to create serious, dark tracks as well as light-hearted, goofy ones.3 The album contains the first solo contributions from Jean Grae.4 "Taco Day", one of Grae's tracks, is about a high school shooting; the first version contained samples from Philip Glass's soundtrack to Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, which Matador Records was unable to license.56 Mr. Len acknowledged that he did not attempt to clear the samples, stating that he most often risks it due to financial concerns.7 Matador was forced to recall the album.7 The album title refers to the smacks one would inflict on a childhood friend for saying something stupid.8

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar9
Pitchfork8.2/1010
RapReviews7/105
Spin7/1011

Pitchfork said, "The interludes cut up the beat nicely, keeping the horns sounding persistent and fresh. Len is clearly in touch with his ass, and makes it known with his mastery of beat-dynamics, modulating them by adding choruses, bridges, or just letting a bassline drop out of the mix, to leave only a breakbeat."10 The Star-Ledger noted the "scrambled, old-school party tunes, distorted and deeply funky, harrowing confessions and rage-filled feminist battle rhymes".8 Spin stated that the album "sounds like an exuberant, rum-soaked Irish wake."11 The Times praised the "X-rated wordplay" of "Girl (Got to Give It to Me)".12

Amy Phillips, in The Village Voice, called "Taco Day" "the closest to a female version of Eminem I've ever heard."13 AllMusic concluded that "Pity the Fool is incredibly ambitious; it almost seems as if Mr. Len is trying to condense any and everything a DJ can do into one not-so-tidy package."9 Chuck Eddy listed Pity the Fool among the best albums of 2001.14

Track listing

No.TitleArtistLength
1."This Morning"The Juggaknots 
2."Get Loose"MassInfluence 
3."The Hurt"Jean Grae featuring Murs 
4."Untitled"  
5."Straight"Q-Unique of the Arsonists 
6."Girl (Got to Give It to Me)"Lord Sear 
7."Taco Day"Jean Grae featuring the Melon Bayside High Drama Club 
8."Force Fed"Agents of Man featuring Amplifire 
9."Untitled"  
10."Bring It to Me"D-Stroy 
11."What the F@$k?!? (Gritty Version)"Mr Live 
12."Untitled"  
13."Love Venom"The Brewin & Jean Grae 
14."Dummy Snacks"Mr Live & Chubb Rock 
15."Untitled"  
16."Family Matters"Kice of Course & Steady Roc 
17."Untitled"Jean Grae 
References

References

  1. Coleman, Brian (March 2001). "Hip-Hop: News". CMJ New Music Monthly. No. 91. p. 85.
  2. The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop (2nd ed.). Rough Guides. 2005. p. 68.
  3. "Raw Talent: Mr. Len". Muzik. No. 79. December 2001. p. 27.
  4. Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 51. Thomson Gale. 2005. p. 40.
  5. Standing, Oli (June 4, 2002). "Mr. Len Pity the Fool". RapReviews. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  6. Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. 2018. p. 494.
  7. McLeod, Kembrew; Kuenzli, Rudolf, eds. (2011). Cutting Across Media: Appropriation Art, Interventionist Collage, and Copyright Law. Duke University Press. p. 164.
  8. Stetler, Carrie (October 28, 2001). "The eclectic Mr. Len". The Star-Ledger. p. 4.16.
  9. "Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks Review by Martin Woodside". AllMusic. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  10. Haywood, Brad (November 11, 2001). "Pity the Fool: Experiments in Therapy Behind the Mask of Music While Handing Out Dummy Smacks". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  11. Ryan, Chris (December 2001). "Reviews". Spin. Vol. 17, no. 12. p. 160.
  12. Chick, Stevie (October 20, 2001). "Mr. Len". The Times. p. Play 13.
  13. Phillips, Amy (September 4, 2002). "Opening up". The Village Voice. Vol. 47, no. 36. p. 80.
  14. Eddy, Chuck (March 5, 2026). "150 Best Albums of 2001". Poplar Mucilage. Retrieved May 12, 2026.