Live and Let Die (album)
Encyclopedia
Live And Let Die is the third, and final, studio album by the American hip hop duo Kool G Rap
& DJ Polo, released November 24, 1992, on Cold Chillin'
. The album features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane
, Scarface
, and Bushwick Bill
. The singles "Ill Street Blues," and "On the Run" both received consistent airplay on Yo! MTV Raps
, and BET
's Rap City
upon the album's release.
Warner Bros. Records
eventually refused to distribute Live and Let Die as part of its deal with Cold Chillin' Records
because of the album's lyrical content and cover art. It is not known if a Warner Bros. catalogue number was ever assigned to the release. Live and Let Die remained out of print until it was re-released and remastered with various bonus material in August 2008 by Traffic Entertainment Group, the current owners of the Cold Chillin' catalog. Over the years, several music critics have hailed it as an underground classic, due to Kool G Rap's intricate lyricism, and Sir Jinx
's production.
Compared to the lyrical themes on the duo's previous albums, this album features an even greater focus on hardcore gangsta
and mafioso rap lyrics. The violence and sexual content are much more graphic than on any previous Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album. Most of the songs feature vivid stories of some sort, many of them related to organized crime
(especially the singles "On the Run" and "Ill Street Blues") and violent street crime
("Train Robbery", "Two to the Head"). There are also sex raps ("Operation CB", "Fuck U Man"), horrorcore
stories ("Straight Jacket", "Edge of Sanity"), and even some socio-political commentary similar to Public Enemy
and Boogie Down Productions
("Crime Pays"). The songs "Home Sweet Home", "Fuck U Man", and "Still Wanted Dead or Alive" act as sequels, respectively, to the songs "Streets of New York", "Talk Like Sex", and "Wanted: Dead or Alive" from the previous album.
, and Southern rappers; Scarface
and Bushwick Bill
(from the Geto Boys
). Although the album was originally intended to be released in 1991, its original release encountered several dilemmas due to record label issues, and the album's controversial content. Cold Chillin' Records
, which was Kool G Rap and DJ Polo's main record label, was caught up in a legal battle with fellow Cold Chillin' artist Biz Markie
over sampling rights, and Warner Bros. Records
, which was its distributor, was involved in the Ice-T
"Cop Killer" controversy. Due to Live and Let Dies cover art, and song content, both labels were reluctant to give the album a release, as they didn't want to get themselves into any more legal troubles. While the project was on hold, Kool G Rap spent almost one year re-writing and recording until the LP was finally released in late 1992.
, while Ice Cube was a California citizen - Live and Let Die was recorded in California, and features several non East coast artists, while Kool G Rap was a New York citizen).
s, whose leashes are tied to the legs of a pair of chairs, on top of which are two TNT's (Tactical Narcotics Taskforce agents) in nooses. It insinuates that as Kool G Rap and DJ Polo tease the dogs with the food, they run, pulling out the chairs and strangling the two under covers. The album was eventually shelved
because of this, and remained out of print until it was re-released in August 2008.
, owe it to themselves to get real familiar with this album." Jeff Chang from Trouser press
gave the album a favorable review and complimented the chemistry between Kool G Rap and producer Sir Jinx, as well as the album's overall lyricism and production.
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...
& DJ Polo, released November 24, 1992, on Cold Chillin'
Cold Chillin' Records
Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some important music in the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer-and-crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some...
. The album features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio 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...
, 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:...
, and Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill
Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :...
. The singles "Ill Street Blues," and "On the Run" both received consistent airplay on Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
, and BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's Rap City
Rap City
Rap City may refer to:* Rap City , a hip-hop music video series shown on Black Entertainment Television in the United States* RapCity, a similar yet unrelated program shown on MuchMusic in Canada, sometimes spelled Rap City...
upon the album's release.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
eventually refused to distribute Live and Let Die as part of its deal with Cold Chillin' Records
Cold Chillin' Records
Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some important music in the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer-and-crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some...
because of the album's lyrical content and cover art. It is not known if a Warner Bros. catalogue number was ever assigned to the release. Live and Let Die remained out of print until it was re-released and remastered with various bonus material in August 2008 by Traffic Entertainment Group, the current owners of the Cold Chillin' catalog. Over the years, several music critics have hailed it as an underground classic, due to Kool G Rap's intricate lyricism, and Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
's production.
Compared to the lyrical themes on the duo's previous albums, this album features an even greater focus on hardcore gangsta
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...
and mafioso rap lyrics. The violence and sexual content are much more graphic than on any previous Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album. Most of the songs feature vivid stories of some sort, many of them related to organized crime
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
(especially the singles "On the Run" and "Ill Street Blues") and violent street crime
Street crime
Street crime is a loose term for criminal offences taking place in public places. It has moved to occupy the place once held by mugging. According to London's Metropolitan Police Force, street crime is:...
("Train Robbery", "Two to the Head"). There are also sex raps ("Operation CB", "Fuck U Man"), horrorcore
Horrorcore
Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based in horror-themed lyrical content and imagery. While the style is rarely popular, some performers have sold well in the mainstream scene.-Origins:...
stories ("Straight Jacket", "Edge of Sanity"), and even some socio-political commentary similar to Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and his S1W group, DJ Lord , and Music Director Khari Wynn...
and Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions was a hip hop group that was originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, months after the release of BDP's debut album, Criminal Minded. The name of the group, Boogie Down, derives from a nickname for the...
("Crime Pays"). The songs "Home Sweet Home", "Fuck U Man", and "Still Wanted Dead or Alive" act as sequels, respectively, to the songs "Streets of New York", "Talk Like Sex", and "Wanted: Dead or Alive" from the previous album.
Background
Rather than using the same formula that he used on his two previous albums, Kool G Rap decided to give Live and Let Die a cinematic feel with each song telling a different story and providing backdrops for the respective "scenes". He recruited several non-East Coast artists to assist him on the album, such as West Coast rapper Ice Cube and his cohort, producer Sir JinxSir Jinx
Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
, and Southern rappers; 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:...
and Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill
Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :...
(from the Geto Boys
Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
). Although the album was originally intended to be released in 1991, its original release encountered several dilemmas due to record label issues, and the album's controversial content. Cold Chillin' Records
Cold Chillin' Records
Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some important music in the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer-and-crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released some...
, which was Kool G Rap and DJ Polo's main record label, was caught up in a legal battle with fellow Cold Chillin' artist Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
over sampling rights, and Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, which was its distributor, was involved in the Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
"Cop Killer" controversy. Due to Live and Let Dies cover art, and song content, both labels were reluctant to give the album a release, as they didn't want to get themselves into any more legal troubles. While the project was on hold, Kool G Rap spent almost one year re-writing and recording until the LP was finally released in late 1992.
Recording
The recording and writing process began in 1991 in Los Angeles California, and continued into 1992. The album is considered by many to be the "East coast AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted", being that it takes the same approach that Ice Cube took with writing, recording, and collaborating with, and in a coast that he didn't reside; (AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was recorded in New York, and features several non West coast artists, namely Public Enemy and their production team the Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad
The Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
, while Ice Cube was a California citizen - Live and Let Die was recorded in California, and features several non East coast artists, while Kool G Rap was a New York citizen).
Cover art
The original cover was to display Kool G Rap and DJ Polo robbing a bank, with the photo being in black and white through a surveillance camera's perspective. This concept was eventually dismissed, as every bank that they went to would not allow them to take such a graphic photo in their buildings. The second option was to have a photo of Kool G Rap and DJ Polo hopping inside a van with sacks of money and guns. Although this idea was more promising, being that this photo would cost less, and they could easily do it inside a photo studio, there was a new policy that record labels were taking at that time, which didn't allow weapons on album covers. The third and final option was thought of by photographer George Dubose. The cover depicts Kool G Rap and DJ Polo in a warehouse dangling raw meat in front of a pair of rottweilerRottweiler
The Rottweiler is a medium to large size breed of domestic dog that originated in Rottweil, Germany. The dogs were known as "Rottweil butchers' dogs" because they were used to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat and other products to market...
s, whose leashes are tied to the legs of a pair of chairs, on top of which are two TNT's (Tactical Narcotics Taskforce agents) in nooses. It insinuates that as Kool G Rap and DJ Polo tease the dogs with the food, they run, pulling out the chairs and strangling the two under covers. The album was eventually shelved
Shelved
In politics, the term can be used for policy drafts, that have never been officially brought into legislation.In the film industry, a film is considered shelved if it is not released for public viewing after filming has started, or even completed....
because of this, and remained out of print until it was re-released in August 2008.
Critical response
Although Live and Let Die didn't receive the same amount of commercial success, and attention as some of Kool G Rap's other releases, it is widely favored among fans and critics alike. Andy Kellman of Allmusic gave the album 4 ½ out of 5 stars, and stated; "A strong case could be made for Live and Let Die as Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's crowning achievement." He also went on to say that "The album is one story after another that draws you in without fail, and they come at you from several angles. Whether pulling off a train heist, venting sexual frustration, analyzing his psychosis, or lording over the streets, G Rap is a pro at holding a captive audience. All die-hard East Coast rap fans, especially followers of 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...
, owe it to themselves to get real familiar with this album." Jeff Chang from Trouser press
Trouser press
A trouser press, sometimes referred to as a Corby Trouser Press, is an electrical appliance used to smooth the wrinkles from a pair of trousers...
gave the album a favorable review and complimented the chemistry between Kool G Rap and producer Sir Jinx, as well as the album's overall lyricism and production.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producers | Samples | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | Sir Jinx Sir Jinx Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:... , 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... |
|
0:41 |
| 2 | "On the Run" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Ray Bryant Raphael Homer "Ray" Bryant was an American Jazz pianist and composer.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ray Bryant began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School... Joe Farrell Joseph Carl Firrantello , known as Joe Farrell, was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. He is best known for a series of albums under his own name on the CTI record label and for playing in the initial incarnation of Chick Corea's Return to Forever.-Biography:Farrell was born in Chicago... |
4:40 |
| 3 | "Live and Let Die" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Parliament A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which... |
5:16 |
| 4 | "Crime Pays" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
|
2:17 |
| 5 | "Home Sweet Home" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
|
2:37 |
| 6 | "Train Robbery" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
4:12 | |
| 7 | "# 1 with a Bullet" (feat. Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane Antonio 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... ) |
Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
The Chi-Lites The Chi-Lites are a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period not to come from Memphis or Philadelphia... |
2:36 |
| 8 | "Operation CB" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Parliament A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which... |
4:28 |
| 9 | "Straight Jacket" | 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... |
3:11 | |
| 10 | "Ill Street Blues" | Trackmasters |
Joe Williams Joe Williams may refer to:* Cyclone Joe Williams , Negro Leagues baseball pitcher, a.k.a. "Smokey Joe" Williams* Joe Williams , achieved prominence in the late 1950s* Big Joe Williams , delta blues singer... |
3:46 |
| 11 | "Go For Your Guns" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
4:37 | |
| 12 | "Letters" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Joe Tex Joseph Arrington, Jr. , better known as "Joe Tex", was an American Southern soul singer-songwriter, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s... |
3:40 |
| 13 | "Nuff Said" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
2:47 | |
| 14 | "Edge of Sanity | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Jimmy Smith (musician) Jimmy Smith was a jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument... |
5:12 |
| 15 | "Fuck U Man" | Trackmasters |
Hamilton Bohannon Hamilton Bohannon is an American percussionist, band leader and record producer, who was one of the leading figures in 1970s disco music... 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... & DJ Polo |
4:01 |
| 16 | "Still Wanted Dead or Alive" | Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
|
3:24 |
| 17 | "Two to the Head" (feat. 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:... , Bushwick Bill Bushwick Bill Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :... , Ice Cube) |
Sir Jinx, Kool G Rap |
Funkadelic Funkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... |
4:46 |
Personnel
- Kool G Rap - performer, producer
- Big Daddy Kane - performer
- Ice Cube - performer
- Scarface - performer
- Bushwick Bill - performer
- Sir Jinx - producer
- Trackmasters - producer
- George DuBose - photography
Album
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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... |
185 |
| Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | 18 |
| Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
6 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Rap Singles | Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | ||
| 1993 | "On the Run" | 19 | 30 |
| "Ill Street Blues" | 26 | — |
External links
- Live and Let Die 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...