I'm Not Playin'
Encyclopedia
I'm Not Playin' is the first and only album recorded by the hip-hop duo Ultimate Force, which consisted of emcee Master Rob and DJ-producer Diamond D
. The group was discovered and sponsored by Jazzy Jay
in the late 1980s, and the album was recorded in his studio in the Bronx, New York, between 1988 and 1990. Ultimate Force was signed to Strong City at the time, but due to label politics and the shuttering of distributor Uni Records
, the album was shelved and for the longest time the only available material from the duo was the 12" single "I'm Not Playin'", considered somewhat of an underground classic.
The rights of the Strong City catalogue were eventually acquired by Traffic Entertainment Group, and the album was finally released in the middle of 2007. I'm Not Playin' was produced by Diamond D
and all vocals were handled by Master Rob, Diamond D had not yet started rhyming. Guest appearances come from a young Fat Joe
who appeared on two songs, which are actually the earliest recordings of his. The CD release is a double-disc that includes the accapellas and instrumentals of all of the album's tracks.
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...
. The group was discovered and sponsored by Jazzy Jay
Jazzy Jay
Jazzy Jay born in Beaufort, South Carolina, United States, November 18, 1961), also known as The Original Jazzy Jay or DJ Jazzy Jay, is a pioneering American hip hop DJ and producer. He has collected roughly 400,000 records.-Background:...
in the late 1980s, and the album was recorded in his studio in the Bronx, New York, between 1988 and 1990. Ultimate Force was signed to Strong City at the time, but due to label politics and the shuttering of distributor Uni Records
Uni Records
Uni Records was a record label owned by MCA Inc. The brand, which long featured a distinct UNi logo, was established in 1966 by MCA executive Ned Tanen and developed by music industry veteran Russ Regan...
, the album was shelved and for the longest time the only available material from the duo was the 12" single "I'm Not Playin'", considered somewhat of an underground classic.
The rights of the Strong City catalogue were eventually acquired by Traffic Entertainment Group, and the album was finally released in the middle of 2007. I'm Not Playin' was produced by 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...
and all vocals were handled by Master Rob, Diamond D had not yet started rhyming. Guest appearances come from a young 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....
who appeared on two songs, which are actually the earliest recordings of his. The CD release is a double-disc that includes the accapellas and instrumentals of all of the album's tracks.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Another Hit" | Diamond D, Jazzy Jay | Master Rob |
| 2 | "C'Mon" | Diamond D | Fat Joe, Master Rob |
| 3 | "Girls" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 4 | "I Gotta Go" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 5 | "I'm in Effect" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 6 | "Oh, Shit" | Diamond D | Gizmo, Saladeem, Fat Joe, Kid Seville, Master Rob |
| 7 | "I'm Not Playin'" | Jazzy Jay, Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 8 | "One of the All-Time Greats" | Diamond D, Jazzy Jay | Master Rob |
| 9 | "Revolution of the Mind" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 10 | "Smooth as Suede" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
| 11 | "Supreme Diamond D" | Diamond D, Jazzy Jay | Master Rob |
| 12 | "Tuff (So Damn)" | Diamond D | Master Rob |
Album singles
| Single information |
|---|
"I'm Not Playing"
|
| "Girls"
|