Off the Books

"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in both 12 inch and CD format in 1997. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, the first on-record performance by Cuban Link, and a notable early verse from Big Punisher. (Big Pun's first on-record performance was the B-Side to Fat Joe's "Envy" single, "Firewater" with Fat Joe, Raekwon and Armageddon.) Lyrics from Psycho Les's verse were later sampled in "The Rep Grows Bigga" by Gang Starr and two Beatnuts songs: "No Escapin' This" and "Slam Pit". The track's beat samples "Break that Party and Opening" by Melvin Van Peebles, "Sign Song" by Buddy Baker, "Get out of My Life, Woman" by George Semper and "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band.

"Off the Books" was the most commercially successful single from Stone Crazy; it reached #86 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the first Beatnuts single to appear on the pop chart. Tom Doggett of RapReviews.com explains the source of the song's success:

[The first] verse turned a lot of heads, and had plenty to do with Pun blowing up. What isn't always remembered was the Sesame Street flute sample that inspired him, laid over the uptempo drums and wailing vocal snippet. "Off The Books" is brilliant, one of the most accessible rap songs ever made. Thugs will be pleased with the vicious verses, and yet any club will still get hopping with one spin.^[1]

Its popularity landed it on two Beatnuts hits compilations: Beatnuts Forever and Classic Nuts, Vol. 1. It can additionally be found on the soundtracks of two films, 1998's Butter and 2001's Blazin', as well as Big Pun's 2001 album Endangered Species and various hip hop compilation albums.

An "Off the Books" music video, which highlights the lavish lives lived by each rapper, also on the video, Angie Martinez & Fat Joe appeared together at the restaurant. This video was directed by Chris Robinson.

Single track list

CD single

"Off the Books (Album Version)"
"Off the Books (Instrumental)"
"Bless the M.I.C."
"Intermission"
"Get Funky (Remix)"

12" vinyl

A-Side

"Off the Books (Clean Version)" (3:34)
"Off the Books (Dirty Version)" (3:34)

B-Side

"Off the Books (T.V. Track)" (3:34)
"Off the Books (Instrumental)" (3:34)
"Off the Books (Acapella)" (3:25)

References

↑ Doggett, Tom (2004-11-23). "Stone Crazy Review". RapReviews.com. Retrieved 2008-06-27.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

The Beatnuts

Psycho Les Juju Al' Tariq

Albums	The Beatnuts: Street Level Stone Crazy A Musical Massacre Take It or Squeeze It The Originators Milk Me

Compilations	World Famous Classics Beatnuts Forever Classic Nuts, Vol. 1 U.F.O. Files

EPs	Intoxicated Demons: The EP Remix EP: The Spot

Singles	"Reign of the Tec" "No Equal" "Props Over Here" "Hit Me with That" "Hellraiser (Remix)" "Find That" "Do You Believe?" "Off the Books" "Here's a Drink" "Watch Out Now" "Se Acabo" "No Escapin' This" "Let's Git Doe" "We Got the Funk" "Buying out the Bar" "Work that Pole" "Simple Murder" "Ya Betta Believe It" "Hot" "Find Us" "It's Nothing"

Featured singles	"Pre of Cash" "Out for the Cash" "Who the Trifest?" "Can't Relate" "Very Good My Friends" "Duck Season"

Related	The Beatnuts discography Psycho Therapy (The Soundtrack)

Big Pun

Discography

Albums	Capital Punishment Yeeeah Baby

Compilations	Endangered Species

Singles	"I'm Not a Player" "Still Not a Player" "You Came Up" "It's So Hard" "100%" "How We Roll"

Featured singles	"Off the Books" "Banned from T.V." "Feelin' So Good"

Other songs	"Beware" "Top of the World, Part II"

Related articles	Terror Squad Fat Joe Loud Records

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