De Cartier
Encyclopedia
De cartier is the fourth studio album
by Romanian hip hop group B.U.G. Mafia
, released September 20, 1998, by Cat Music in Romania
. The album went on to sell over 130,000 copies and due to some of its violently charged content, and the group's acerbic statements on drug dealing and Romania's post communist social situation
, De Cartier was the source of much controversy upon its release. The frenzy that arose from this situation was also the source of a massive discreditation campaign by the Romanian media, who capitalized from the subject by intentionally portraying them in a negative light using false information. The pressure that was put on the group after these events occurred was put into words on their 2000 După blocuri
album, making it one of their darkest materials to this day.
, Tataee
was very active in the album's production, though the overall sound differed. Unlike their 1997 effort, which featured a more g-funk
oriented sound, De cartier had more hard edged beats that made use of synthethized strings and electric guitars to orchestrate the dramatic sound that carried throughout the album. Longtime collaborators Camil Beldeanu and Eddy Schneider made fewer appearances playing keyboards for Tataee
, who instead chose to be more hands on with the production of the album, contributing with keyboards on every track. He has stated in various interviews that the group had just bought their own keyboard and that that was one of the reasons he was able to contribute a significant amount to the album's compositions. A number of the tracks also use samples taken from iconic gangsta rap
acts such as Eazy E and Scarface
. Although rough, the album's tracks provided a more introspective and soulful outlook of working-class life in Romania
than the majority of Romanian gangsta rap
artists had showed to that point. With soulful songs such as "Poveste fără sfârşit" (Endless Story), "Ai grijă de şmenaru' tău" (Take Care Of Your Hustler) and "Viaţa-i doar un drum spre moarte" (Life Ain't Nothing But A Way To Die) the album worked its way through the controversy created by the rest of its content, paving B.U.G. Mafia's way to superstardom in Romania
.
The success of the album also drew attention of Romanian pop artist Loredana Groza
who recruited the group for her 1998 hit single "Lumea E A Mea" (The World Is Mine). The music video shot for the song was also the first hip hop
music video to be released in Romania
. The production on the album was generally seen as top-quality for that point in time, with Tataee
's production performing well with his instrumentals and keyboard beats and Cristian Andrei's guitar contributions that added to the album's funk and rock-oriented influences.
, Romania
. Tracks such as "Raid mafiot" (Mobster Raid) and "La vorbitor" (an untranslatable expression, basically meaning jail visit) are concept songs which depict a bank roberry and a conversation during a jail visit respectively while "N'ai fost acolo" (You Weren't There), "Când te loveşti de realitate" (When Reality Hits You) and "Limbaj De Cartier" (Hood Talk) are reserved for responding to critics who felt that the album's lyrics glamorized gang violence and had no factual basis whatsoever. "Limbaj De Cartier" (Hood Talk) is also notable as the first of two times when B.U.G. Mafia
crossed paths professionally with Paraziţii
, arguably their only real competitor in the Romanian music market from a sales point of view, as group producer Cheloo made a guest appearance. The album's best known track, "Poveste Fără Sfârşit" (Endless Story) was partly responsible for the popularity that B.U.G. Mafia
gained during the late 90s, also winning them a "Best Rap Song" trophee at the 1998 Ballantine's
music awards. De cartier is also notable in the group's history for its inclusion of the "La vorbitor" track. The song, which basically means "Jail Visit" in Romanian
, features group member Uzzi writing from a convict
's point of view depicting the harsh reality of the Romanian
prison system. The concept was fairly new at the time and set a milestone in Romanian hip hop
as prisons and incarceration
had only been briefly mentioned in Romanian
gangsta rap. Similarly, "Viaţa-i doar un drum spre moarte" (Life Ain't Nothing But A Way To Die) was dedicated to a friend of the group who had lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Spain
.
Lyrics by Tataee
, Caddy, Uzzi
, Cheloo
, Puya and Don Baxter.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Romanian hip hop group B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia is a Romanian hip hop group from Pantelimon, Bucharest, widely regarded as one of the seminal acts of gangsta rap in Romania. Founded in 1993, it was among the first Romanian hip hop acts.The original line-up consisted of Vlad "Tataee" Irimia, Dragoş "Caddillac" Vlad-Neagu and two...
, released September 20, 1998, by Cat Music in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. The album went on to sell over 130,000 copies and due to some of its violently charged content, and the group's acerbic statements on drug dealing and Romania's post communist social situation
History of Romania since 1989
- 1989 revolution :1989 marked the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. A mid-December protest in Timişoara against the eviction of a Hungarian minister grew into a country-wide protest against the Ceauşescu régime, sweeping the dictator from power....
, De Cartier was the source of much controversy upon its release. The frenzy that arose from this situation was also the source of a massive discreditation campaign by the Romanian media, who capitalized from the subject by intentionally portraying them in a negative light using false information. The pressure that was put on the group after these events occurred was put into words on their 2000 După blocuri
După blocuri
După blocuri is the fifth studio album by Romanian hip hop group B.U.G. Mafia, released on January 18, 2000, by Cat Music in Romania. Recording sessions for the album took place throughout 1999 at the "Magic Sound" studios in Bucharest. The album features a darker tone than its predecessor, with...
album, making it one of their darkest materials to this day.
Background
The recording sessions for the album began in late 1997 and carried on throughout half of 1998. Similar to IV: Deasupra tuturorIV: Deasupra tuturor
IV: Deasupra tuturor is the third studio album by Romanian hip hop group B.U.G. Mafia. It was released on November 10, 1997, by Cat Music in Romania, receiving universal acclaim from the group's fans as the way the tracks sounded was noticeably different from the previous three albums...
, Tataee
Tataee
Vlad Irimia , primarily known by his stage name Tataee, is a Romanian record producer, rapper, record executive, and music manager. He is one of the founders and the main producer of the well-known Romanian hip hop trio B.U.G...
was very active in the album's production, though the overall sound differed. Unlike their 1997 effort, which featured a more g-funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
oriented sound, De cartier had more hard edged beats that made use of synthethized strings and electric guitars to orchestrate the dramatic sound that carried throughout the album. Longtime collaborators Camil Beldeanu and Eddy Schneider made fewer appearances playing keyboards for Tataee
Tataee
Vlad Irimia , primarily known by his stage name Tataee, is a Romanian record producer, rapper, record executive, and music manager. He is one of the founders and the main producer of the well-known Romanian hip hop trio B.U.G...
, who instead chose to be more hands on with the production of the album, contributing with keyboards on every track. He has stated in various interviews that the group had just bought their own keyboard and that that was one of the reasons he was able to contribute a significant amount to the album's compositions. A number of the tracks also use samples taken from iconic gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
acts such as Eazy E and Scarface
Scarface (rapper)
Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
Production
While making De cartier the group decided to craft an album which would reflect their views on the Romanian society in the late 90s as inhabitants of a working class neighbourhood in BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
. Although rough, the album's tracks provided a more introspective and soulful outlook of working-class life in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
than the majority of Romanian gangsta rap
Romanian hip hop
Romanian hip hop is the hip hop music style that was developed in Romania around 1992. Most notable Romanian hip hop artists come from Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city. The genre is currently growing in popularity in Europe...
artists had showed to that point. With soulful songs such as "Poveste fără sfârşit" (Endless Story), "Ai grijă de şmenaru' tău" (Take Care Of Your Hustler) and "Viaţa-i doar un drum spre moarte" (Life Ain't Nothing But A Way To Die) the album worked its way through the controversy created by the rest of its content, paving B.U.G. Mafia's way to superstardom in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
.
The success of the album also drew attention of Romanian pop artist Loredana Groza
Loredana Groza
Loredana Groza is a Romanian pop singer. Singer, actress, TV hostess and mother, Loredana began her career in the city of Oneşti. She alternated music styles in order to show her wide talents...
who recruited the group for her 1998 hit single "Lumea E A Mea" (The World Is Mine). The music video shot for the song was also the first hip hop
Romanian hip hop
Romanian hip hop is the hip hop music style that was developed in Romania around 1992. Most notable Romanian hip hop artists come from Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city. The genre is currently growing in popularity in Europe...
music video to be released in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. The production on the album was generally seen as top-quality for that point in time, with Tataee
Tataee
Vlad Irimia , primarily known by his stage name Tataee, is a Romanian record producer, rapper, record executive, and music manager. He is one of the founders and the main producer of the well-known Romanian hip hop trio B.U.G...
's production performing well with his instrumentals and keyboard beats and Cristian Andrei's guitar contributions that added to the album's funk and rock-oriented influences.
Lyrics
The lyrics on the album were mainly written by the group themselves. Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized crime, but the artists argued that the group was simply showing the reality of living in the working class areas of BucharestBucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. Tracks such as "Raid mafiot" (Mobster Raid) and "La vorbitor" (an untranslatable expression, basically meaning jail visit) are concept songs which depict a bank roberry and a conversation during a jail visit respectively while "N'ai fost acolo" (You Weren't There), "Când te loveşti de realitate" (When Reality Hits You) and "Limbaj De Cartier" (Hood Talk) are reserved for responding to critics who felt that the album's lyrics glamorized gang violence and had no factual basis whatsoever. "Limbaj De Cartier" (Hood Talk) is also notable as the first of two times when B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia is a Romanian hip hop group from Pantelimon, Bucharest, widely regarded as one of the seminal acts of gangsta rap in Romania. Founded in 1993, it was among the first Romanian hip hop acts.The original line-up consisted of Vlad "Tataee" Irimia, Dragoş "Caddillac" Vlad-Neagu and two...
crossed paths professionally with Paraziţii
Parazitii
Paraziţii is a Romanian three-man rap and hip hop group founded in 1994. It consists of Cheloo , Ombladon , and FreakaDaDisk .The group is largely known for their dark beats and political humorous lyricism.-History:The group was subject to multiple restrictions by the Romanian National Audiovisual...
, arguably their only real competitor in the Romanian music market from a sales point of view, as group producer Cheloo made a guest appearance. The album's best known track, "Poveste Fără Sfârşit" (Endless Story) was partly responsible for the popularity that B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia
B.U.G. Mafia is a Romanian hip hop group from Pantelimon, Bucharest, widely regarded as one of the seminal acts of gangsta rap in Romania. Founded in 1993, it was among the first Romanian hip hop acts.The original line-up consisted of Vlad "Tataee" Irimia, Dragoş "Caddillac" Vlad-Neagu and two...
gained during the late 90s, also winning them a "Best Rap Song" trophee at the 1998 Ballantine's
Ballantine's
Ballantine's is a range of blended scotch whiskies distilled by George Ballantine & Son Ltd in Dumbarton, Scotland.The Ballantine's flavour is dependent on 50 single malts, four single grains and in particular the fingerprint malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie...
music awards. De cartier is also notable in the group's history for its inclusion of the "La vorbitor" track. The song, which basically means "Jail Visit" in Romanian
Romanian language
Romanian Romanian Romanian (or Daco-Romanian; obsolete spellings Rumanian, Roumanian; self-designation: română, limba română ("the Romanian language") or românește (lit. "in Romanian") is a Romance language spoken by around 24 to 28 million people, primarily in Romania and Moldova...
, features group member Uzzi writing from a convict
Convict
A convict is "a person found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court" or "a person serving a sentence in prison", sometimes referred to in slang as simply a "con". Convicts are often called prisoners or inmates. Persons convicted and sentenced to non-custodial sentences often are not termed...
's point of view depicting the harsh reality of the Romanian
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
prison system. The concept was fairly new at the time and set a milestone in Romanian hip hop
Romanian hip hop
Romanian hip hop is the hip hop music style that was developed in Romania around 1992. Most notable Romanian hip hop artists come from Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city. The genre is currently growing in popularity in Europe...
as prisons and incarceration
Incarceration
Incarceration is the detention of a person in prison, typically as punishment for a crime .People are most commonly incarcerated upon suspicion or conviction of committing a crime, and different jurisdictions have differing laws governing the function of incarceration within a larger system of...
had only been briefly mentioned in Romanian
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
gangsta rap. Similarly, "Viaţa-i doar un drum spre moarte" (Life Ain't Nothing But A Way To Die) was dedicated to a friend of the group who had lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Track listing
All song titles, notes, samples, writing and production credits are according to the album booklet.Lyrics by Tataee
Tataee
Vlad Irimia , primarily known by his stage name Tataee, is a Romanian record producer, rapper, record executive, and music manager. He is one of the founders and the main producer of the well-known Romanian hip hop trio B.U.G...
, Caddy, Uzzi
Uzzi
Uzzi is a biblical name meaning "the Lord is my strength".People with this name:biblical:* , the son of Bukki, a descendant of Aaron * , a grandson of Issachar...
, Cheloo
Parazitii
Paraziţii is a Romanian three-man rap and hip hop group founded in 1994. It consists of Cheloo , Ombladon , and FreakaDaDisk .The group is largely known for their dark beats and political humorous lyricism.-History:The group was subject to multiple restrictions by the Romanian National Audiovisual...
, Puya and Don Baxter.
| # | Title | Time | Songwriters | Producers | Additional performers | Additional credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro"' | 2:10 | V.Irimia, A.Demeter, D.Vlad-Neagu, E.Schneider | Tataee, co-produced by Caddy, Uzzi & Eddy Schneider |
|
|
| 2 | "Ghici cine s'a întors"' | 3:49 | V.Irimia, A.Demeter, D.Vlad-Neagu | Tataee, co-produced by Caddy |
|
|
| 3 | "Pentru '98" | 4:32 | A.Demeter, V.Irmia, D.Vlad-Neagu, C.Beldeanu, C. Andrei | Tataee | Iuliana "July" Petrache, Andreea |
|
| 4 | "Când te loveşti de realitate"' | 4:47 | D.Vlad-Neagu, V.Irimia, V.Sârbu, C.Andrei | Tataee, co-produced by Uzzi & Caddy |
|
|
| 5 | "Viaţa'i doar un drum spre moarte" | 5:18 | V.Irimia, D.Vlad-Neagu, C.Beldeanu, C.Andrei | Caddy | Cătălina Toma |
|
| 6 | "Raid mafiot 2"' | 3:07 | A.Demeter, D.Vlad-Neagu, V.Irimia, G.Mitran | Tataee, co-produced by Uzzi |
|
|
| 7 | "N'ai fost acolo"' | 4:22 | V.Irimia, D.Vlad-Neagu, A.Demeter, G.Mitran | Tataee |
|
|
| 8 | "Hai să fim HIGH"' | 4:17 | A.Demeter, V.Irimia, D.Gardescu, E.Schneider | Tataee, co-produced by Uzzi & Caddy | Puya, Cătălina Toma |
|
| 9 | "Poveste fără sfârşit" | 5:24 | V.Irimia, D.Vlad-Neagu, A.Demeter, C.Beldeanu, C.Andrei, G.Mitran | Tataee | Cătălina Toma |
|
| 10 | "Sânge latin" | 3:52 | D.Vlad-Neagu, V.Irimia, A.Demeter, C.Beldeanu | Tataee |
|
|
| 11 | "1, 2, 3"' | 3:27 | A.Demeter, V.Irimia, D.Vlad-Neagu, S.Istrati | Tataee & Caddy | Don Baxter, Gunja |
|
| 12 | "De cartier"' | 4:24 | D.Vlad-Neagu, A.Demeter, V.Irimia | Tataee |
|
|
| 13 | "La vorbitor"' | 4:06 | V.Irimia, A. Demeter, C.Beldeanu, C.Andrei | Tataee, co-produced by Don Baxter |
|
|
| 14 | "Ai grijă de şmenaru' tău"' | 4:39 | V.Irimia, D.Vlad-Neagu, A.Demeter, C.Beldeanu | Tataee | Cătălina Toma |
|
| 15 | "Limbaj de cartier"' | 5:42 | V.Irimia, A.Demeter, D.Vlad-Neagu, C.Ion, C.Andrei | Tataee, co-produced by Uzzi & Caddy | Cheloo Parazitii Paraziţii is a Romanian three-man rap and hip hop group founded in 1994. It consists of Cheloo , Ombladon , and FreakaDaDisk .The group is largely known for their dark beats and political humorous lyricism.-History:The group was subject to multiple restrictions by the Romanian National Audiovisual... , Puya |
|
Samples
- "N'ai fost acolo" contains an interpolation of "Homies & Thugs (Remix)" by ScarfaceScarface (rapper)Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
- "Raid mafiot 2" contains a sample form "Ruthless Villain" by Eazy-EEazy-EEric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
External links
- De cartier at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...