[2] The music of "Murder Rap", as produced by Dr. Dre, consists of an ominous siren sound, and backwards, looped drum beats.
[3] Allmusic's Alex Henderson says that the song's lyrics "let listeners know exactly what life in South Central was like.
"[4] A review of the song by Frank Owen in Spin praised Dr. Dre's production, saying that the producer "has a remarkable talent for making noise funky, and he shows it to great effect".
[5] However, Owen criticized Above the Law as lyricists, writing, "they present this hardcore life without any of the dandy charm that Big Daddy Kane or Oran 'Juice' Jones bring to it.
[6] Insane Clown Posse's cover of the song led to a professional relationship between ICP and Cold 187 um, and he later signed to Psychopathic Records as a solo rapper.