93 'til Infinity

93 'til Infinity is the classic debut album by Souls of Mischief. The group consists of four members (A-Plus, Opio, Phesto D, and Tajai) and is a subgroup of the hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics.

1 Album information
2 Reception
3 Track listing
4 Album singles
5 Album Chart Positions
6 Singles Chart Positions
7 Credits
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Album information

The sound of their debut is characteristic of the distinct style explored by the collective, including a rhyme scheme based on internal rhyme and beats centered around a live bass and obscure jazz and funk samples. 93 'til Infinity is often heralded as the best album to come out of the Hiero Golden Age, a period in the early-to-mid-nineties during which the collective released several critically acclaimed albums (including Del tha Funkee Homosapien's No Need for Alarm and Casual's Fear Itself) and rose to national prominence.

93 'til Infinity was propelled into success by its title track and lead single, which reached #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also featured singles "That's When Ya Lost" and "Never No More" which reached the Hot Rap Singles, but never charted on The Billboard Hot 100. According to All Music Guide author Steve Huey, "Although the title cut is an underappreciated classic, 93 'til Infinity makes its greatest impression through its stunning consistency, not individual highlights."^[1] Huey also goes on to remark that 93 'til Infinity is "one of the most slept-on records of the '90s".

[edit] Reception

93 'til Infinity has been hailed by many critics for its genre defying subject matter, funky production and charismatic rapping. Although it was not as popular as other West Coast hip hop albums at the time of its release, it is garnered with much acclaim. It is the most acclaimed Souls of Mischief album in many critics' eyes. Suzann Vogel of Philadelphia Weekly gives much praise to it in this quote:

“

At the pinnacle of the G-funked gangsta era, Souls of Mischief took the low road of emotional complexity. Hailing from Oakland, Calif., the foursome's distinctive lyrical mapping, infectious beats and subtle melodies on their debut rerouted gun-toting wannabes back to the underground and vaulted record-label Hieroglyphics to indie legend. MCs Tajai, Opio, Phesto and A-Plus exhibited a surprising charisma between them while undoing ghetto esteem. Their world of boredom, girls, weed, books, lounging and, of course, violence was a more easily understood reality for those caught between Pete Rock's tragedy, De La Soul's hippie aesthetics and Tupac's marginalizing glamour. Follow-up releases by Souls fell pathetically flat of achieving 'Til Infinity's harmony, and MCs have since broached personal topics of greater depth. Still, the genre-altering release possesses one undeniable truth: Reality's never sounded so good.

”

^[2]

Steve Huey of All Music Guide also gives 93 'til Infinity much praise calling it "the best single album to come out of Oakland's Hieroglyphics camp" as well as saying how "[Souls of Mischief] completely redefined the art of lyrical technique for the West Coast, along with fellow standard-bearers Freestyle Fellowship, the Pharcyde, and Hiero founder Del tha Funkee Homosapien."^[3]

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums. The track was also included in the compilation remix album Another Late Night: Zero 7, released in 2002.

[edit] Track listing

"Let 'Em Know" (produced by Domino)
"Live and Let Live" (produced by Domino)
"That's When Ya Lost" (produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien)
"A Name I Call Myself" (produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien)
"Disseshowedo" (produced by Domino and Jay Biz)
"What a Way to Go Out" (produced by Domino)
"Never No More" (produced by A-Plus)
"93 'til Infinity"(produced by A-Plus)
"Limitations" (featuring Casual)(produced by Jay Biz)
"Anything Can Happen"(produced by A-Plus)
"Make Your Mind Up" (produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien)
"Batting Practice" (produced by Casual)
"Tell Me Who Profits" (produced by Domino)
"Outro" (produced by Domino)

[edit] Album singles

Single information
*"93 'Til Infinity"* "93 'Til Infinity" was the first single from Souls of Mischief. It contains samples from "Heather" performed by Billy Cobham. Released: 1993 B-side: "Disseshowedo"
*"That's When Ya Lost"* Released: May 10, 1993 B-side: "I Ain't Trippin' (Remix)", "Let 'Em Know"
*"Never No More"* Released: 1994 B-side: "Make Your Mind Up", "Good Feeling"

[edit] Album Chart Positions

Year	Album	Chart positions
		Billboard 200	Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1993	93 'til Infinity	#85	#17

[edit] Singles Chart Positions

Year	Song	Chart positions
Year	Song	Billboard Hot 100	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	Hot Rap Singles	Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1993	"93 'Til Infinity"	#72	#65	#11	#20
1993	"That's When Ya Lost"	-	-	#24	-
1994	"Never No More"	-	-	#46	#15