4,5,6

4,5,6
Studio album by Kool G Rap
Released September 12, 1995 (1995-09-12)
Recorded 1994-1995
Genre Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, mafioso rap, hardcore hip hop
Label Cold Chillin'/Epic Street/Sony
EK 57808
Producer Dr. Butcher
Naughty Shorts
T-Ray
Buckwild
Kool G Rap chronology
Live and Let Die
(1992)
(Kool G Rap & DJ Polo)		 4,5,6
(1995)		 Roots of Evil
(1998)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Billboard Favorable[2]
Rhapsody Favorable[3]
Rolling Stone [4]
The Source [5]
Trouser Press Favorable[6]
Vibe Favorable[7]

4,5,6 is the solo debut by hip hop artist Kool G Rap, released in September 1995 on Cold Chillin' Records. The release followed his break-up with DJ Polo in 1993. The album was mostly received neutrally among critics, but was warmly accepted by underground fans. Despite the album's dark, grimy street sound, it peaked at number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and also featured two crossover hits, with the title track "4,5,6", and "Fast Life". The album features guest appearances from B1, MF Grimm, and Nas (who also appeared on the front cover), as well as production from Dr. Butcher, Naughty Shorts, T-Ray, and Buckwild of D.I.T.C. It would also be Cold Chillin' Records' final release before it went defunct in 1997.

Contents

Track listing

# Title Producer(s) Performer (s) Sample(s)
1 "Intro" Dr. Butcher *Interlude*
2 "4,5,6" Dr. Butcher Kool G Rap
3 "It's a Shame" Naughty Shorts Kool G Rap
4 "Take 'Em to War" T-Ray Kool G Rap, B1, MF Grimm
5 "Executioner Style" Dr. Butcher Kool G Rap
6 "For Da Brothaz" T-Ray Kool G Rap
  • "Soulsides" by Art Farmer
7 "Blowin' Up in the World" Buckwild Kool G Rap
8 "Fast Life" Buckwild Kool G Rap, Nas
9 "Ghetto Knows" Naughty Shorts Kool G Rap
10 "It's a Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)" Dr. Butcher Kool G Rap
11 "Money on My Brain" Dr. Butcher Kool G Rap, B1, MF Grimm
12 "Fast Life (Remix) (Bonus)" Salaam Remi Kool G Rap, Nas

Album singles

Single information
"Fast Life"
  • Released: November 14, 1995
  • B-Side: "4,5,6"
"It's a Shame"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-Side: "It's a Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)"

Album chart positions

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1995 4,5,6 24 1

Singles chart positions

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Rhythmic Top 40
1995 "It's a Shame" - - - 27 -
"Fast Life" 74 42 7 18 -
1996 "4,5,6" 21 11 - - 25

See also

References

  1. ^ "4,5,6 Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r224057. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  2. ^ "Kool G Rap review". Billboard. http://books.google.com/books?id=Pw0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34&dq=kool+g+rap&as_pt=MAGAZINES#v=onepage&q=kool%20g%20rap&f=false. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  3. ^ "4,5,6 Information". Rhapsody. http://www.rhapsody.com/kool-g-rap/4-5-6. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  4. ^ "Kool G Rap Information in the Rolling Stone Album Guide". Rolling Stone. http://books.google.com/books?id=lRgtYCC6OUwC&pg=PA672&dq=#v=snippet&q=kool%20g%20rap&f=false. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  5. ^ "4,5,6 Information". The Source. http://www.tower.com/4-5-6-kool-g-rap-cd/wapi/111834883. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  6. ^ "4,5,6 Information". Trouser Press. http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=kool_g_rap_and_dj_polo. Retrieved 27 April 2011. 
  7. ^ "4,5,6 Information". Vibe. http://books.google.com/books?id=aywEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA180&dq=#v=onepage&q=kool%20g%20rap%204%2C5%2C6&f=false. Retrieved 27 April 2011.