The Infamous

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The Infamous
The Infamous cover
Studio album by Mobb Deep
Released April 25, 1995
Recorded 1994-1995
Genre East Coast hip hop
Length 66:51
Label Loud Records
Producer(s) Mobb Deep
Q-Tip
Schott Free
Matt Life
Professional reviews
Mobb Deep chronology
Juvenile Hell
(1993)		 The Infamous
(1995)		 Hell On Earth
(1996)


Perhaps one of the most influential hip hop albums of the East Coast hardcore rap genre, The Infamous is Mobb Deep's breakthrough album. Embedded in hypervisual lyricism, dark soundscapes, and gritty narratives, it marked Mobb Deep's transition from a relatively unknown regional rap duo to an influential underground phenomenon.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The album's haunting style, defined by its evocative melodies, sullen rhymes, and rugged beats, reflected the dark side of New York City's urban landscape in a manner that garnered special recognition and critical praise. Furthermore, the album helped redefine the sound of the Hardcore rap genre with its atmospheric production style —which incorporated eerie piano loops, distorted synthesizers, and sparse bass-lines. The album also features several notable Mobb Deep songs, including Survival of the Fittest, Up North Trip, Temperature's Rising , Give Up The Goods (Just Step), Drink Away The Pain, and Eye for an Eye (featuring Nas and Raekwon). However, the focal point of the album is Shook Ones Pt. II: a street anthem that has since become Mobb Deep's signature song.

[edit] Critical Reception

[edit] Initial reception

Upon the release of The Infamous, it garnered much acclaim, and some already considered it to be a cornerstone of New York hardcore rap.[1] Publications usually gave it their highest possible ratings, such as All Music Guide, which gave it five stars.[1] One writer for Rolling Stone magazine said that with the help of Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep elevated the spirit of New York hip hop to the highest that it has been since the mid-1980's.[2] The Infamous also received positive commercial acclaim upon release: it spent 18 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart, peaking at #18, and spent 34 weeks on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, peaking at #3.[3] The Infamous was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 26, 1995.[4]

[edit] Retrospection

The Infamous has received many accolades since its 1995 release. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums.[5] It has also found its way onto Blender magazine's "500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die" in 2003 and Vibe's "51 Albums representing a Generation, a Sound and a Movement" in 2004.[6]

[edit] Significance

[edit] East Coast hip hop

[edit] Track listing

# Title Producer(s) Performer(s)
1 "The Start Of Your Ending" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
2 "The Infamous Prelude" Prodigy
3 "Survival Of The Fittest" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
4 "Eye For A Eye" Havoc Havoc, Nas, Prodigy, Raekwon
5 "Just Step Prelude" Big Noyd, Prodigy
6 "Give Up The Goods" Q-Tip Big Noyd, Havoc, Prodigy
7 "Temperature's Rising" Havoc, Q-Tip Crystal Johnson, Havoc, Prodigy
8 "Up North Trip" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
9 "Trife Life" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
10 "Q.U.-Hectic" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
11 "Right Back At You" Havoc, Prodigy, Schott Free Big Noyd, Ghostface Killah, Havoc, Prodigy, Raekwon
12 "The Grave Prelude"
13 "Cradle to the Grave" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
14 "Drink Away The Pain" Havoc, Prodigy, Q-Tip Havoc, Prodigy, Q-Tip
15 "Shook Ones Pt. II" Havoc Havoc, Prodigy
16 "Party Over" Havoc, Matt Life Big Noyd, Havoc, Prodigy

[edit] 2004 Re-issue

The Infamous was rereleased in 2004 with a remastered audio quality and two bonus tracks:

  1. "Shook Ones Pt. I (Original Version)"
  2. "Survival Of The Fittest (Remix)"

[edit] Album singles

Audio samples of The Infamous
Single cover Single information
"Shook Ones Pt. II"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side:
"Survival Of The Fittest"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side:
"Temperature's Rising"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side: "Give Up The Goods"

[edit] Album chart positions

Chart positions from Billboard magazine (North America)

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1995 The Infamous #18 #3

[edit] Singles chart positions

Chart positions from Billboard magazine (North America)

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1995 Shook Ones Pt. II #59 #52 #7 #7
1995 Survival of the Fittest #69 #60 #10 #6
1995 Temperature's Rising - - #33 #9

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b The Infamous at allmusic.com. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
  2. ^ The Infamous at rollingstone.com. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
  3. ^ MobbDeepWorld.com. Retrieved on June 25, 2006.
  4. ^ Gold and Platinum Database Searach at riaa.com. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
  5. ^ 100 Best Rap Albums at rocklist.net. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
  6. ^ The Infamous at acclaimedmusic.net. Retrieved on December 31, 2006.
 v • d • e Mobb Deep
Members
Havoc | Prodigy
Albums
Juvenile Hell | The Infamous | Hell On Earth | Murda Muzik | Infamy | Free Agents | Amerikaz Nightmare | Blood Money
Prodigy albums
H.N.I.C. | Return of the Mac | H.N.I.C. 2
Havoc albums
Kush
Compilations
Infamous Allegiance | The Mix Tape Before 9/11 | Life of the Infamous: The Best of Mobb Deep | The Infamous Archives
Singles
"Peer Pressure" | "Hit It From The Back" | "Shook Ones Pt. II" | "Survival Of The Fittest" | "Temperature's Rising" | "Drop A Gem On 'Em" | "Hell On Earth" | "G.O.D. Pt. III" | "Still Shinin'" | "Quiet Storm" | "Quiet Storm (Remix)" | "It's Mine" | "U.S.A." | "Burn" | "Hey Luv" | "Get Away" | "Pray For Me" | "Solidified" | "The Illest" | "Double Shots" | "Got It Twisted" | "Real Gangstaz" | "Throw Your Hands" | "Win Or Lose" | "Got It Twisted (Remix)" | "Have A Party" | "Put 'Em In Their Place" | "Give It To Me" | "Creep"
Prodigy singles
"Keep It Thoro" | "Rock Dat Shit" | "Y.B.E." | "Stuck on You"
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