Eye & I
Encyclopedia
Eye & I is the debut album of Canadian rapper
Kardinal Offishall
, released December 1997. It was released independently on Capitol Hill Music
and distributed by St. Clair Entertainment
. The album was critically acclaimed, spawning the single "On wit da Show
".
. About 40 percent of the album's cost was provided by the publishing deal. The only single released from the album was "On wit da Show
", which was accompanied by a music video
. The single also appeared on Kardinal's second studio album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
. In 1998, a music video of the song "Jeevin' (Life)" was also released.
Members of The Circle appear on the album, including Solitair
, Saukrates
and Jully Black
among others. Ro Dolla appears on the album as Afrolistics, Lock Jaw appears as L.J.
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
, released December 1997. It was released independently on Capitol Hill Music
Capitol Hill Music
Capitol Hill Music is a Canadian independent record label, specializing in hip-hop and R&B music.The Toronto-based label was founded in the late 1990s by rapper Saukrates, and his manager Chase Parsons. In 1997, the label released Kardinal Offishall's debut album, Eye & I. Two years later, the...
and distributed by St. Clair Entertainment
St. Clair Entertainment Group
The St. Clair Entertainment Group is a discount distributor of music and entertainment CDs and DVDs, with its corporate head office located in Woodland Hills, California. It was founded in 1985 as a distributor of music special products in Canada...
. The album was critically acclaimed, spawning the single "On wit da Show
On wit da Show
"On wit da Show" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. It was the only single from his debut album Eye & I. The song also appears on his second album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. The original version of the song was released in 1996 as a B-side of "Naughty Dread"...
".
Background
In 1996, Kardinal signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music CanadaWarner/Chappell Music
Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. is an American music publishing company, and a division of the Warner Music Group. The company traces its origins back to 1811 and the founding of Chappell & Company, a music publishing company and instrument shop on London’s Bond Street that, in 1929, began a rapid...
. About 40 percent of the album's cost was provided by the publishing deal. The only single released from the album was "On wit da Show
On wit da Show
"On wit da Show" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. It was the only single from his debut album Eye & I. The song also appears on his second album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. The original version of the song was released in 1996 as a B-side of "Naughty Dread"...
", which was accompanied by a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. The single also appeared on Kardinal's second studio album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1
Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released May 22, 2001 in the United States. Released on MCA Records, the album is his major-label debut. Its a recompilation album, which includes older songs and demos that he used to get signed...
. In 1998, a music video of the song "Jeevin' (Life)" was also released.
Members of The Circle appear on the album, including Solitair
Solitair
Solitair is a Canadian hip-hop MC and producer from Toronto, Ontario. He is currently a member of the Black Jays record label and production team...
, Saukrates
Saukrates
Karl Amani Wailoo , better known by his stage name Saukrates , is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer of Guyanese descent. He is the co-founder of Capitol Hill Music, and lead singer of hip-hop/R&B group Big Black Lincoln...
and Jully Black
Jully Black
Jully Black |Julie]]"; born Jullyann Inderia Gordon; November 8, 1977) is a Canadian R&B singer–songwriter. She has collaborated and written for many artists, including Nas, Missy Elliott, Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Destiny's Child, and Sean Paul.-Life & career:Black was born Jullyann...
among others. Ro Dolla appears on the album as Afrolistics, Lock Jaw appears as L.J.
Reception
The album received rave reviews from music critics. Allmusic stated that Kardinal "blended soul, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, and a wholly inventive approach to beats on his 20-track debut album, Eye & I." Unfortunately, the album was poorly distributed in Canada, and a lack of radio support resulted in the album receiving limited commercial attention. Over 4,000 copies of the album were sold in its first three months of release.Track listing
All songs produced by Kardinal Offishall.| # | Title | Featured guest(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Breakdown (Keep Moving)" | Denosh | 4:42 |
| 2. | "On wid da Show On wit da Show "On wit da Show" is a hip-hop song by Kardinal Offishall. It was the only single from his debut album Eye & I. The song also appears on his second album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. The original version of the song was released in 1996 as a B-side of "Naughty Dread"... " |
4:06 | |
| 3. | "Da Brown" | 4:13 | |
| 4. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:43 | |
| 5. | "Mysteries" | 4:34 | |
| 6. | "P.W.O.T." | Afrolistics | 4:03 |
| 7. | "My Niah" | L.J. | 4:14 |
| 8. | "Madmoizellez" | Wade O. Brown | 4:52 |
| 9. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:10 | |
| 10. | "Make It Happen" | Red-1 Rascalz The Rascalz are a Canadian hip-hop group from Vancouver, British Columbia, who played a crucial role in the artistic and commercial development of Canadian hip hop. The group consists of MCs Red1 and Misfit, and DJ Kemo. Breakdancers, Zebroc and Dedos were also part of the group.Formed in 1991, the... |
4:53 |
| 11. | "W.I. Philosophi" | Miss Raelene | 1:26 |
| 12. | "Sweet Marie" | Nicole Sinclair | 4:02 |
| 13. | "Bellee Buss (Don't Make Me Laugh)" | 3:24 | |
| 14. | "LoLo" | 1:56 | |
| 15. | "King of da Hill" | Tara Chase | 4:32 |
| 16. | "Elle A" | 3:57 | |
| 17. | "Jeevin' (Life)" | Jully Black Jully Black Jully Black |Julie]]"; born Jullyann Inderia Gordon; November 8, 1977) is a Canadian R&B singer–songwriter. She has collaborated and written for many artists, including Nas, Missy Elliott, Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Destiny's Child, and Sean Paul.-Life & career:Black was born Jullyann... |
5:16 |
| 18. | "Naughty Dread Pt. II" | 4:40 | |
| 19. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:30 | |
| 20. | "Friday Night" | 3:18 |
Samples
- "Bellee Buss (Don't Make Me Laugh)" – Contains samples of "Paid in Full (Coldcut Remix)Paid in Full (Eric B. & Rakim song)"Paid in Full" is a song written, produced and recorded by American rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, released as the fifth and final single from their debut album of the same name, Paid in Full....
" 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...
and "Brainstorm" by Gang StarrGang StarrGang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...