A-1 Yola (Esham album)

A1 Yola
Studio album by Esham
Released April 19, 2005
Recorded 2004-2005
Genre Hardcore hip hop, underground hip hop
Length 60:14
Label Psychopathic
Esham chronology

Repentance
(2003)		 A-1 Yola
(2005)		 Sacrificial Lambz
(2008)

A-1 Yola is the tenth studio album by Esham. Released in 2005, it was the first hip hop album to be released with a DVD containing music video for each song. A-1 Yola is the final of three albums by the rapper on Psychopathic Records, following Repentance and the compilation Acid Rain.

Lyrics and music

Allrovi wrote, "During the course of A-1 YOLA, Esham takes the form of street hustler, kingpin, vampire, and all sorts of underworld characters, injecting his undiluted personality into each three-to-four-minute sketch. His sonic backdrop remains raw but fresh, drawing an impressive amount of energy out of sparse beats."[1] According to Esham, he was sent receipts from fans who claimed that the album's bass-heavy sound blew out subwoofers, fried amplifiers and shattered rear windshields.[2]

Music videos

The album came with a bonus DVD which contained music videos for almost all of the album's songs, excluding "Enemies", "Gangsta Dedication" and "?".[2] The video for "Justa Hustler" was reissued on the 2007 Psychopathic DVD Psychopathic: The Videos.[3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allrovi [1]

Allrovi wrote, "Fifteen years after a teenaged Esham made his recorded debut, [...] his sordid tales show no sign of losing potency".[1] The album peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200 and #48 on Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.[1]

Track listing

No. TitleProducer(s) Length
1. "Since Day One"  Esham 3:07
2. "Turbulence"  Esham 3:38
3. "Bolivia"  Esham 2:59
4. "Bird After Bird"  Esham 3:40
5. "Justa Hustler" (contains the hidden track "Pill Me")Esham 6:16
6. "Yoca Cola""  Esham 3:33
7. "Fall Into The Fire"  Esham 3:15
8. "Wicket"  Esham 4:03
9. "Enemies"  Esham 3:11
10. "Help Me"  Esham 3:14
11. "Servin'" (contains the hidden track "Full Power")Esham 3:57
12. "Bangin' Dope"  Esham 2:40
13. "One Hundred"  Polar Bear 3:43
14. "Gangsta Dedication"  Marc Live 3:16
15. "Unhappy" (contains the hidden track "President")Esham 3:57
16. "?"  Esham 2:39
17. "Smiley Faces"  Esham 3:19
Total length:
 60:32

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Esham - A-1 Yola". Allrovi. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Smith, Esham A. "Discography". Reel Life Productions. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  3. ↑ Psychopathic: The Videos (DVD). Psychopathic Records. ASIN B000WMA6WI. Retrieved 2009-01-13.