The Album (The Firm album)
Encyclopedia
The Album, also known as The Firm: The Album, is the debut studio album
of American hip hop
supergroup
The Firm, released October 21, 1997 on the Interscope
-subsidiary label Aftermath Entertainment
.
(1994), Queensbridge-based emcee Nas
decided to concentrate his efforts in a mainstream direction. Despite its significant impact on hip hop at the time, Illmatic did not experience the larger sales of most major releases of the day, due in part to Nas' shy personality and withdrawal from promoting the record. Nas began to make appearances on other artists' work, including Kool G Rap
's "4,5,6" and "Verbal Intercourse" on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
(1995), which made him the first non Wu-Tang
member to appear on one of their recordings. Nas began to dub himself as Nas Escobar on these guest appearances. Meanwhile, his excessive spending habits had left him with little money, as Nas had to ask for a loan to purchase clothes to wear to the 1995 Source Awards. The success of fellow East Coast
act The Notorious B.I.G.
at the awards show sent a message to Nas to change his commercial approach, resulting in his hiring of Steve "The Commissioner" Stoute
as manager. While Illmatic attained gold status
, Stoute convinced Nas to aim his efforts in a more commercial direction for his second album, after which Nas enlisted production team the Trackmasters
, who were known for their mainstream success at the time.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn
-based female rapper Foxy Brown was brought to the attention of the Trackmasters, who were working on LL Cool J
's Mr. Smith
(1995). After impressing the production team with an on-stage freestyle rap
, she earned a guest appearance on Mr. Smith, contributing a verse to the remix
of "I Shot Ya". Throughout 1995 and 1996, Brown appeared on several platinum and gold singles, including Jay-Z's "Ain't No Nigga
" and the remix of Toni Braxton's "You're Makin' Me High
". Her appearances sparked a recording company bidding war in early 1996, leading to her signing to Def Jam Recordings
. The success of "I Shot Ya" prompted her inclusion, along with rappers AZ
and Cormega
, in collaborating with Nas on the song "Affirmative Action" for his second studio album, It Was Written
(1996). The collaboration came in the wake of the critical success of AZ's debut album Doe or Die
(1995). He initially garnered attention with his appearance on Nas' "Life's a Bitch" (1993). Cormega, whose rapping career had been put on hold due to his incarceration during the early 1990s, was referenced by Nas on "One Love
" (1994), and was released from jail in 1995.
Working with the Trackmasters as producers, Brown released her solo debut Ill Na Na
(1996), which became a chart success and sold over two million copies.
-novel The Firm and the 1993 film adaption of the same name. While it was issued under the title The Album, writers and music critics have referred to the album with such titles as The Firm, Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present the Firm: The Album, and The Firm — The Album, or The Firm: The Album.
Sample credits
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...
of American hip hop
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...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
The Firm, released October 21, 1997 on the Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
-subsidiary label Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
.
Background
Prior to the formation of The Firm, future members and affiliates of the group were at transitional stages of their careers. Following the acclaim of his landmark debut album IllmaticIllmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
(1994), Queensbridge-based emcee Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
decided to concentrate his efforts in a mainstream direction. Despite its significant impact on hip hop at the time, Illmatic did not experience the larger sales of most major releases of the day, due in part to Nas' shy personality and withdrawal from promoting the record. Nas began to make appearances on other artists' work, including Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...
's "4,5,6" and "Verbal Intercourse" on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the solo debut album of American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released August 1, 1995, on Loud Records in the United States...
(1995), which made him the first non Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
member to appear on one of their recordings. Nas began to dub himself as Nas Escobar on these guest appearances. Meanwhile, his excessive spending habits had left him with little money, as Nas had to ask for a loan to purchase clothes to wear to the 1995 Source Awards. The success of fellow East Coast
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
act The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
at the awards show sent a message to Nas to change his commercial approach, resulting in his hiring of Steve "The Commissioner" Stoute
Steve Stoute
Steve Stoute is an author, entrepreneur, advertising executive and American record executive and artist manager.-Music Executive:From 1990 to 1999, Stoute was an executive at several leading labels in the music industry...
as manager. While Illmatic attained gold status
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
, Stoute convinced Nas to aim his efforts in a more commercial direction for his second album, after which Nas enlisted production team the Trackmasters
Trackmasters
The Trackmasters are the successful production duo of Poke and Tone , sometimes credited as Poke & Tone, best known for their commercial hit records in the late 90s and early 2000s. Throughout their career they have worked with various hip-hop and R&B artists including R...
, who were known for their mainstream success at the time.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based female rapper Foxy Brown was brought to the attention of the Trackmasters, who were working on LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
's Mr. Smith
Mr. Smith (album)
-Track Notes:* No Airplay - edited on both the Edited and Explicit Versions of the Album, However the Explicit only backmasks on the song, the Edited version even edits the intro....
(1995). After impressing the production team with an on-stage freestyle rap
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
, she earned a guest appearance on Mr. Smith, contributing a verse to the remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of "I Shot Ya". Throughout 1995 and 1996, Brown appeared on several platinum and gold singles, including Jay-Z's "Ain't No Nigga
Ain't No Nigga
"Ain't No Nigga" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's debut album Reasonable Doubt . It features a long verse of rapping from a then 16-year old Foxy Brown.-Background:...
" and the remix of Toni Braxton's "You're Makin' Me High
You're Makin' Me High
"You're Makin' Me High" is the lead single from Toni Braxton's second studio album, Secrets . A joint collaboration between the Grammy Award-winning producer Babyface and Bryce Wilson resulted in this mid-tempo song...
". Her appearances sparked a recording company bidding war in early 1996, leading to her signing to Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
. The success of "I Shot Ya" prompted her inclusion, along with rappers AZ
AZ (rapper)
Anthony Cruz , better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.In a countdown of the 10...
and Cormega
Cormega
Cory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
, in collaborating with Nas on the song "Affirmative Action" for his second studio album, It Was Written
It Was Written
It Was Written is the second studio album by American rapper Nas, released July 2, 1996 on Columbia Records in the United States. Following the moderate sales success of his acclaimed debut album, Illmatic , Nas chose to focus his efforts in a more mainstream direction...
(1996). The collaboration came in the wake of the critical success of AZ's debut album Doe or Die
Doe or Die
Doe or Die is the debut studio album by rapper AZ, released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others....
(1995). He initially garnered attention with his appearance on Nas' "Life's a Bitch" (1993). Cormega, whose rapping career had been put on hold due to his incarceration during the early 1990s, was referenced by Nas on "One Love
One Love (Nas song)
"One Love" is a song by American hip hop rapper Nas, released October 25, 1994 on Columbia Records. It was issued as the fifth and final radio single in promotion of his debut studio album Illmatic . The song was produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, who also contributed vocals for the chorus...
" (1994), and was released from jail in 1995.
Working with the Trackmasters as producers, Brown released her solo debut Ill Na Na
Ill Na Na
Ill Na Na is the debut album by American rapper Foxy Brown. It was released in the United States on November 19, 1996, and on September 29, 1997 in the United Kingdom. The album spawned Brown's first hit single, "I'll Be", featuring hip-hop artist Jay-Z...
(1996), which became a chart success and sold over two million copies.
Album title
According to critic Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews, the title of the album, as well as the group's name, was inspired by John Grisham's 1991 legal thrillerLegal thriller
The legal thriller is a sub-genre of thriller and crime fiction in which the major characters are lawyers and their employees. The system of justice itself is always a major part of these works, at times almost functioning as one of the characters...
-novel The Firm and the 1993 film adaption of the same name. While it was issued under the title The Album, writers and music critics have referred to the album with such titles as The Firm, Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present the Firm: The Album, and The Firm — The Album, or The Firm: The Album.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | Dr. Dre Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records... , Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 2 | "Firm Fiasco" 8 (AZ, Foxy Brown, Nas) | Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 3 | "Phone Tap (Intro)" | |
| 4 | "Phone Tap"1 (AZ, Nas, Nature) | Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 5 | "Executive Decision" 13 (AZ, Nas, Nature) | Curt Gowdy Curt Gowdy Curtis Edward "Curt" Gowdy was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally-televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:The son of a manager for the Union Pacific railroad,... , Trackmasters Trackmasters The Trackmasters are the successful production duo of Poke and Tone , sometimes credited as Poke & Tone, best known for their commercial hit records in the late 90s and early 2000s. Throughout their career they have worked with various hip-hop and R&B artists including R... |
| 6 | "Firm Family" 9 (Nature) (featuring Dr. Dre) | Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 7 | "Firm All Stars" 7 (Foxy Brown) (featuring Pretty Boy Pretty Boy Pretty Boy may refer to:* Prettyboy Reservoir in Baltimore County, Maryland, USA* Pretty Boy Floyd, nickname for American gangster and bank robber Charles Arthur Floyd* "Pretty Boy", nickname for boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.... ) |
Trackmasters |
| 8 | "Fuck Somebody Else (Intro)" | |
| 9 | "Fuck Somebody Else" ² (Foxy Brown) | Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 10 | "Hardcore"³ (Foxy Brown, Nas) | Trackmasters |
| 11 | "Untouchable"10 (featuring Wizard) | Dr. Dre, Mel-Man Mel-Man Melvin Breeden, better known as Mel-Man, is a producer from Norfolk, Virginia. He is the President/CEO of Big Cat Records.-Early life:... |
| 12 | "Five Minutes to Flush (Intro)"4 | |
| 13 | "Five Minutes to Flush"5 (Nature) | Dr. Dre, Chris "The Glove" Taylor |
| 14 | "Desperados (Intro)" | |
| 15 | "Desparados"12 (Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, Nature) (featuring Canibus Canibus Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties... ) |
Curt Gowdy, Trackmasters |
| 16 | "Firm Biz Firm Biz "Firm Biz" is the first single by the Hip hop supergroup The Firm from their singular collaborative LP The Album. The song was produced by L.E.S, who based the song's track on a sample of Teena Marie's 1981 hit "Square Biz". "Firm Biz" also features a chorus performed by former En Vogue singer Dawn... "6 (AZ, Foxy Brown, Nas) (featuring Dawn Robinson Dawn Robinson Dawn Robinson is an American R&B/soul/Dance-pop singer best known for her work as a member of hit Urban/Dance-pop group, En Vogue.... ) |
L.E.S. L.E.S. (producer) Leshan David Lewis, better known as L.E.S., is a hip hop producer commonly associated with Nas. His first production credit was for Nas' popular song "Life's a Bitch" from the Illmatic album in 1994. He soon produced a single, "Sugar Hill", for AZ's album Doe Or Die... |
| 17 | "I'm Leaving"11 (Nature) (featuring Noreaga N.O.R.E. Victor Santiago, Jr., best known by his stage name N.O.R.E. or Noreaga , is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent... ) |
Trackmasters |
| 18 | "Throw Your Guns" (AZ) (featuring Half-A-Mil Half-A-Mil Jasun Ward better known by his stage name, Half a Mill was a Brooklyn-based, American rapper who was shot dead in his home in the Albany Projects in Brooklyn, New York on October 24, 2003.-Discography:... ) |
Trackmasters |
Sample credits
- 1 Samples "Petite Fleur" by Chris Barber's Jazz BandChris BarberDonald Christopher 'Chris' Barber is best known as a jazz trombonist. As well as scoring a UK top twenty trad jazz hit he helped the careers of many musicians, notably the blues singer Ottilie Patterson, who was at one time his wife, and vocalist/banjoist Lonnie Donegan, whose appearances with...
- ² Samples "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else" by The Jones GirlsThe Jones GirlsThe Jones Girls were an R&B trio of sisters from Detroit, Michigan. They first recorded for GM Records in 1968, then recorded for Philadelphia International Records with Gamble & Huff.-History:...
- ³ Samples "Your Love (Encore)" by Cheryl LynnCheryl LynnLynda Cheryl Smith , known better by her professional name Cheryl Lynn, is a female African-American disco, R&B and soul singer known best for her 1978 disco song, "Got to Be Real".-Early career:...
- 4 Samples "Hard to Handle" by Etta JamesEtta JamesEtta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
- 5 Samples "Five Minutes Of Funk" by WhodiniWhodiniWhodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1981. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee.-Early years:Whodini was among the first hip-hop groups to...
- 6 Samples "Square Biz" by Teena MarieTeena MarieMary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
- 7 Samples "Turn Off the Lights" by Young Larry
- 8 Samples "A Ma Fille" by Charles AznavourCharles AznavourCharles Aznavour, OC is an Armenian-French singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat. Besides being one of France's most popular and enduring singers, he is also one of the best-known singers in the world...
- 9 Samples "Come On Sexy Mama" by The MomentsThe MomentsThe Moments may refer to:*The Moments, an American R&B vocal group later known as Ray, Goodman & Brown*The Moments , an English group of the early 1960s who featured Steve Marriott...
- 10 Samples "Mother Nature" by The TemptationsThe TemptationsThe Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
- 11 Samples "I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane" by John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
- 12 Samples "Dune" by Wasis DiopWasis DiopWasis Diop is a Senegalese musician of international renown, known for blending traditional Senegalese folk music with modern pop and jazz...
- 13 Samples "Ô Corse île d'amour" by Tino RossiTino RossiTino Rossi was a singer and film actor.Born Constantino Rossi in Ajaccio, Corsica, France, he became a tenor of French cabaret and one of the great romantic idols of his time. Gifted with an operatic voice, a "Latin Lover" persona made him a movie star as well...
Singles
| Single information |
|---|
| "Firm Biz Firm Biz "Firm Biz" is the first single by the Hip hop supergroup The Firm from their singular collaborative LP The Album. The song was produced by L.E.S, who based the song's track on a sample of Teena Marie's 1981 hit "Square Biz". "Firm Biz" also features a chorus performed by former En Vogue singer Dawn... "
|
| "Phone Tap" (promo only)
|
Chart positions
| Charts (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
8 |
| U.S. 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... |
1 |
| U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 1 |
Chart procession and succession
See also
- List of number-one albums of 1997 (U.S.)
- List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)
External links
- The Album 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...
- Nas: Battle Ready (see 1997 section)
- Dre. forms label, expands, The Firm
- [ Foxy single success]
- Dre backlash
- [ AZ bio]
- [ Cormage bio, Diss cormega, strained relationship, album never issued and grudge]
- Platinum
- Firm Foundation at NY Daily News
- Pop stardom, Dismissed
- Disband after sales
- Dre bad year, then eminem
- ego trip
- Like Nas, AZ began relying on ...
- Cassette