Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
Encyclopedia
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut album of American hip hop
artist Big L
, released March 28, 1995 on Columbia Records
. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York during 1994 to 1995. The title originates from the television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
. Buckwild
, Craig Boogie, Kid Capri
, Lord Finesse
, as well as Showbiz
produced the album. The album produced four singles, but only two charted on Billboard's
charts. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous had slight success upon release, peaking at 149 on the US Billboard 200
chart. The album, which was the only one released by Coleman during his lifetime, initially received moderate reviews from critics.
(D.I.T.C.). The group consisted of Lord Finesse
, Diamond D
, O.C.
, Fat Joe
, Buckwild
, Showbiz and A.G.
He founded Harlem centered rap group Children of the Corn with fellow aspiring MC's Killa Cam
, Murda Mase, and Killa Cam's cousin Bloodshed; when the latter died in a car accident in 1997, the group folded.
In 1993, Big L submitted a four track cassette tape to Columbia Records
, who soon after signed him to their company. The album title is a play on the 1984-95 Television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
" and "Danger Zone" were recorded at Unique Studios (New York City, New York) and the songs "M.V.P.
" and "Street Struck" were recorded at Chung King Studios (New York City, New York). James Niedermeyer worked with Big L
on the album and heavily influenced the lyrics on songs such as "Danger Zone" and "All Black".
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous was produced by mainly members of Big L's group, Diggin' in the Crates Crew
: Buckwild
, Lord Finesse
(who produced most of the album), and Showbiz. Craig Boogie as well as Kid Capri
(who was often referred to as an honorary member of D.I.T.C.) also helped with the production of the album.
, under Columbia
, released a promotional cassette tape in 1994 consisting of four tracks that did not make it to the final album.
discussed the making of the album.
Concerning "Put It On
", he stated:
Concerning "M.V.P.
", he stated:
Concerning "8 Iz Enuff", he said:
Speaking about "Danger Zone", he said:
Commenting on "Street Struck", he said:
and number 22 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
. The album would not peak any higher. It has sold over 200,000 copies since August 2000.
M.F. DiBella of Allmusic compliments "L as a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire," but claimed that production and marketing should have been better.
Steve Juon of RapReviews liked how the album was "jam packed with treats" and complimented how some songs were viewed as "underground hip hop
".
Samples
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist Big L
Big L
Big L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
, released March 28, 1995 on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York during 1994 to 1995. The title originates from the television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous is a television series that aired in syndication from 1984 to 1995. The show featured the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy entertainers, athletes and business moguls....
. Buckwild
Buckwild
Buckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
, Craig Boogie, Kid Capri
Kid Capri
David Anthony Love, Jr , also known by his stage name Kid Capri, is an American musician.He was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA....
, Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.- Career :...
, as well as Showbiz
Showbiz and A.G.
Showbiz and A.G. are an American hip hop duo from The Bronx, New York City. Showbiz is a producer and A.G. is a rapper. The two debuted on Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album in 1990. Show and A.G...
produced the album. The album produced four singles, but only two charted on Billboard's
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
charts. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous had slight success upon release, peaking at 149 on the US Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart. The album, which was the only one released by Coleman during his lifetime, initially received moderate reviews from critics.
Background
Big L began rhyming in 1990 and his first professional appearance came on the B-side of "Party Over Here" by Lord Finesse in 1992. Around this time, L joined Lord Finesse's Bronx-based hip hop collective Diggin' in the Crates CrewDiggin' in the Crates Crew
The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, often collaborating with...
(D.I.T.C.). The group consisted of Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.- Career :...
, Diamond D
Diamond D
Diamond D is a hip hop producer and MC from the Bronx, New York City, and one of the founding members of the legendary D.I.T.C. crew. He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme...
, O.C.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, Buckwild
Buckwild
Buckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
, Showbiz and A.G.
Showbiz and A.G.
Showbiz and A.G. are an American hip hop duo from The Bronx, New York City. Showbiz is a producer and A.G. is a rapper. The two debuted on Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album in 1990. Show and A.G...
He founded Harlem centered rap group Children of the Corn with fellow aspiring MC's Killa Cam
Cam'ron
Cameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
, Murda Mase, and Killa Cam's cousin Bloodshed; when the latter died in a car accident in 1997, the group folded.
In 1993, Big L submitted a four track cassette tape to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, who soon after signed him to their company. The album title is a play on the 1984-95 Television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Recording, production
Recording for Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous mainly took place at Powerplay Studios (Queens, New York); the songs "Put It OnPut It On
-Charts:...
" and "Danger Zone" were recorded at Unique Studios (New York City, New York) and the songs "M.V.P.
M.V.P. (song)
"M.V.P." is a song recorded by American rapper Big L. The track was produced by Lord Finesse for L's debut studio album, Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous . The song was written by Coleman, M.D. DeBarge, R. Hall, and E. Jordan. The song was released in 1995 as the second single from the album...
" and "Street Struck" were recorded at Chung King Studios (New York City, New York). James Niedermeyer worked with Big L
Big L
Big L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
on the album and heavily influenced the lyrics on songs such as "Danger Zone" and "All Black".
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous was produced by mainly members of Big L's group, Diggin' in the Crates Crew
Diggin' in the Crates Crew
The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, often collaborating with...
: Buckwild
Buckwild
Buckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
, Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.- Career :...
(who produced most of the album), and Showbiz. Craig Boogie as well as Kid Capri
Kid Capri
David Anthony Love, Jr , also known by his stage name Kid Capri, is an American musician.He was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA....
(who was often referred to as an honorary member of D.I.T.C.) also helped with the production of the album.
Release, promotion, marketing
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous was released on March 28, 1995. Prior to the release, Big LBig L
Big L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
, under Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, released a promotional cassette tape in 1994 consisting of four tracks that did not make it to the final album.
Composition
In a 2010 interview with HipHop DX to commemorate the album's 15th year anniversary and its re-issue by Traffic Entertainment, Lord FinesseLord Finesse
Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.- Career :...
discussed the making of the album.
Concerning "Put It On
Put It On
-Charts:...
", he stated:
[Columbia Records] wanted something with a hook that would be kinda catchy, and something they could get radio play with. Like, everything [L] did was dark, and it was gangsta, and it was . . . what was the [popular style at the time]? Horror-core. So they needed something bright, something friendly. And "Put It On" just matched everything perfect."
Concerning "M.V.P.
M.V.P. (song)
"M.V.P." is a song recorded by American rapper Big L. The track was produced by Lord Finesse for L's debut studio album, Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous . The song was written by Coleman, M.D. DeBarge, R. Hall, and E. Jordan. The song was released in 1995 as the second single from the album...
", he stated:
That song came about because L wanted a commercial, R&B loop that everybody could recognize. And me remembering that [DeBarge] record, and also remembering how Kid Capri used it way back when he did – I forgot which record he did, but he had that [song], and I’m like, "Damn, well maybe we could reinvent that right there." And L heard the loop and was like, "Yeah, that’s it!" But, [with] Diggin’, we had to have the right drums, the right everything [to go with a sample], and we dressed it up in a way where we tried to keep it Hip Hop.
Concerning "8 Iz Enuff", he said:
With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, "How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?" [And he was like], "Don’t worry, I got this."
Speaking about "Danger Zone", he said:
At the time it was somebody by the name of David Kahne [working as L’s A&R at Columbia]. He was like the person who was responsible for getting L signed, and he loved all that devil’s son shit. [Says in nasally white-guy voice] "Oh wow, this is great!" It’s like, "Are you serious?" Because we had to make [L] change a line in "Devil’s Son" because it was [like], "You’re too out-of-order." What was the line . . . "I’m killin’ chumps for the cheapest price / I’m rollin’ with Satan," [and instead of then saying "not Jesus Christ"] it was "F Jesus Christ." But we made him change it to "Not Jesus Christ." [We were] like, "Yo, what the fuck are you doing?!"
Commenting on "Street Struck", he said:
That was Sony [that wanted him to make something more positive]. [They were like], "You so dark on this album, we need something positive we can push. This album is too dark: you got "All Black", you got "Danger Zone", you done came out with "Devil’s Son". We really don’t wanna push that as your image. You have to do something that’s gonna balance it." And that’s [when] we started doing more conceptual, conscious songs like "Fed Up Wit The Bullshit", "Street Struck", and "M.V.P." and "Put It On."
Commercial performance
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous debuted at number 149 on the US Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and number 22 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
. The album would not peak any higher. It has sold over 200,000 copies since August 2000.
Critical response
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous received mixed to favorable reviews by music critics. It earned a 4 mics rating from The Source, claiming "[Big L] comes with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run".M.F. DiBella of Allmusic compliments "L as a master of the lyrical stickup undressing his competition with kinetic metaphors and a brash comedic repertoire," but claimed that production and marketing should have been better.
Steve Juon of RapReviews liked how the album was "jam packed with treats" and complimented how some songs were viewed as "underground hip hop
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
".
Track listing
Note- A promotional cassette tape that was released by Sony in 1994 features four songs that did not make the retail version: "Devil's Son", "Times Iz Hard", "I Shoulda Used a Rubba", and "School Dayz".
Samples
- "Put It On" — "Vibrations" by Buster WilliamsBuster WilliamsCharles Anthony Williams is an American jazz bassist.-Biography:Williams has gained prestige among jazz musicians as a solid supportive player. Since the early 1960s, he has made subtle swing, a precise rhythm and superb technique the landmark of his playing...
- "M.V.P." — "Stay with Me" by DeBarge; "On the Bugged Tip" by Big Daddy KaneBig Daddy KaneAntonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
- "No Endz, No Skinz" — "Rubber Jam" by The Rubber Band; "Four Aces" by Paul HumphreyPaul HumphreyPaul Nelson Humphrey is an American jazz and funk/R+B drummer.He worked as a session drummer in the 1960s for jazz artists such as Wes Montgomery, Les McCann, Kai Winding, Charles Mingus, Lee Konitz, Blue Mitchell and Gene Ammons.As a bandleader, he recorded under the name Paul Humphrey and the...
, Shelly ManneShelly ManneShelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
, Willie BoboWillie BoboWillie Bobo was the stage name of William Correa , an American jazz percussionist.-Biography:William Correa grew up in Spanish Harlem, New York City. He made his name in Latin Jazz, specifically Afro-Cuban jazz, in the 1960s and '70s, with the timbales becoming his favoured instrument...
, & Louis Bellson
- "8 Iz Enuff" — "Soul Travelin" by Gary Byrd; "UFO" by ESGESG (band)ESG are a band that emerged from the South Bronx, New York, U.S. in the early 1980's. Trouser Press called it "one of the most dynamic bands that New York could offer at the top of the '80s." ESG have been influential across a wide range of musical genres, including hip hop, post punk, disco,...
; "Fuck Compton" by Tim DogTim DogTim Dog is an American rapper from the Bronx, New York who rose to prominence during the early '90s with his debut LP Penicillin on Wax and the celebrated "diss" record "Fuck Compton". Tim had already appeared on songs with the Ultramagnetic MCs and went on to form a duo, Ultra, with member Kool...
- "Da Graveyard" — "Represent" by Showbiz and A.G.Showbiz and A.G.Showbiz and A.G. are an American hip hop duo from The Bronx, New York City. Showbiz is a producer and A.G. is a rapper. The two debuted on Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album in 1990. Show and A.G...
- "Times Iz Hard" — "In The Ghetto" by Eric B. & RakimEric B. & RakimEric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre...
- "Fed Up with the Bullshit" — "Between The Sheets" by Isley Brothers; "Ain't No Half Steppin'" by Big Daddy Kane
- "Let 'Em Have It "L" — "Nautilus" by Bob James
Personnel
Credits for Lifestylez of da Poor & Dangerous adapted from Allmusic.- BuckwildBuckwildBuckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
- producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Dino Zervous - engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Big LBig LBig L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
- vocals - Craig Boogie - producer
- Mike Boogie - vocals
- Buddah Bless - vocals
- Herb McGruffMcGruff (rapper)Herbert Brown, better known as McGruff, is an American rapper from Harlem.McGruff originally started his career as a member of the rap group, Children of the Corn, alongside Big L, Cam'ron and Mase, all of whom would go on to have successful careers in the music industry...
- vocals - ShowbizShowbiz-Charts and certifications:-Release history:-Personnel:Muse*Matthew Bellamy – vocals; guitars; piano; Hammond organ on "Falling Down", "Unintended" and "Escape"; mellotron on "Muscle Museum" and "Unintended", Wurlitzer electric piano on "Fillip" and "Hate This & I'll Love You"; synthesizers...
- producer - Trooper J. - vocals
- Twan - vocals
- Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
- vocals - Tony Dawsey - mastering
- Danny Clinch - photography
- Michelle Willems - art direction, design
- Cam'ron - vocals
- John Shrive - engineer
- Party Arty - vocals
- Terra - vocals
- Kid Capri - producer
- Chris Conway - engineer
- Lord FinesseLord FinesseLord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.- Career :...
- vocals, producer
Charts
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
149 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
22 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | March 28, 1995 | Columbia Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
|
| France | March 28, 1995 | Sony | |
| Canada | June 18, 2001 | Sony | |
| United Kingdom | October 6, 2009 | Sony |