Nas and Ill Will Records Present QB's Finest
Encyclopedia
Nas and Ill Will Records Present QB's Finest is a 2000 collaborative album; the second release from rapper Nas' new Ill Will Records
imprint, distributed by Columbia Records
. It featured Nas and a number of other rappers from the Queensbridge housing projects, including Mobb Deep
, Nature, Nashawn, Littles, The Bravehearts
, and Cormega
, who had briefly reconciled a longtime feud with Nas.
The album also featured guest appearances from QB hip-hop legends Roxanne Shante
, and MC Shan
and Marley Marl
, both of whom appeared on the lead single "Da Bridge 2001" (based on Shan & Marl's 1986 classic "The Bridge"). "Da Bridge 2001" also featured a response from Nas to Memphis Bleek
, in which Nas calls out most of the Roc-a-Fella Records roster, including Bleek, Damon Dash
, Beanie Sigel
, and Jay-Z
. The album's biggest hit single was "Oochie Wally
", a club
anthem recorded by The Bravehearts
.
Though numbered correctly in the liner notes, the original compact disc
pressing erroneously combined tracks one and two during mastering, throwing off the count for the rest of the tracks by one number (i.e. "We Live This" is track two, "Real Niggas" is track three, and so on). Later, corrected masters feature the "Oochie Wally" remix (which features Nas in addition to the Bravehearts) in place of the original.
"Self Conscience" contains a sample from The Exorcist theme
Ill Will Records
Ill Will Records was an American vanity record label founded by Nasir "Nas" Jones. The label was named after Willie Graham, Nas' childhood neighbor and best friend, was shot dead on May 23, 1992 when both were teenagers...
imprint, distributed by 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...
. It featured Nas and a number of other rappers from the Queensbridge housing projects, including Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
, Nature, Nashawn, Littles, The Bravehearts
The Bravehearts
Bravehearts are an East Coast hip-hop group from the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. The group's roster originally included Jungle , Wiz , and Horse . Horse left the group in 2002, and Jungle and Wiz carried on as a duo...
, 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 :...
, who had briefly reconciled a longtime feud with Nas.
The album also featured guest appearances from QB hip-hop legends Roxanne Shante
Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté is an American hip-hop pioneer. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and her association with the Juice Crew....
, and MC Shan
MC Shan
MC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:...
and Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
, both of whom appeared on the lead single "Da Bridge 2001" (based on Shan & Marl's 1986 classic "The Bridge"). "Da Bridge 2001" also featured a response from Nas to Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
, in which Nas calls out most of the Roc-a-Fella Records roster, including Bleek, Damon Dash
Damon Dash
__NOINDEX__...
, Beanie Sigel
Beanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
, and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn 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...
. The album's biggest hit single was "Oochie Wally
Oochie Wally
Oochie Wally is the second single from the album QB's Finest. The single is a collaboration with Nas & The Bravehearts.-Chart positions:"Oochie Wally" was crossover hit in the U.S. as it peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100....
", a club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
anthem recorded by The Bravehearts
The Bravehearts
Bravehearts are an East Coast hip-hop group from the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. The group's roster originally included Jungle , Wiz , and Horse . Horse left the group in 2002, and Jungle and Wiz carried on as a duo...
.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | 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... |
The Bravehearts The Bravehearts Bravehearts are an East Coast hip-hop group from the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. The group's roster originally included Jungle , Wiz , and Horse . Horse left the group in 2002, and Jungle and Wiz carried on as a duo... |
| 2 | "Da Bridge 2001" | Marley Marl Marley Marl Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:... , L.E.S. |
Capone Capone-N-Noreaga Capone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column... , 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 :... , Marley Marl Marley Marl Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:... , MC Shan MC Shan MC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:... , Millennium Thug, Mobb Deep Mobb Deep Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones... , 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... , Nature, Tragedy Khadafi Tragedy Khadafi Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,... |
| 3 | "We Live This" | Havoc | Big Noyd Big Noyd TaJuan Perry, better known as Big Noyd, is an American emcee from the Queensbridge projects in the New York City borough of Queens. He is closely affiliated with Mobb Deep, and he is featured on all of their albums... , Havoc, Roxanne Shante Roxanne Shanté Roxanne Shanté is an American hip-hop pioneer. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and her association with the Juice Crew.... |
| 4 | "Real Niggas" | L.E.S. | Nas, Ruc |
| 5 | "Find Ya Wealth" | L.E.S. | Nas |
| 6 | "Straight Outta Q.B." | L.E.S. | 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 :... , Jungle, Poet |
| 7 | "Oochie Wally Oochie Wally Oochie Wally is the second single from the album QB's Finest. The single is a collaboration with Nas & The Bravehearts.-Chart positions:"Oochie Wally" was crossover hit in the U.S. as it peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.... (Remix)" |
Ez Elpee | Nas, The Bravehearts The Bravehearts Bravehearts are an East Coast hip-hop group from the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. The group's roster originally included Jungle , Wiz , and Horse . Horse left the group in 2002, and Jungle and Wiz carried on as a duo... |
| 8 | "Our Way" | Scott Storch Scott Storch Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox... |
Capone-N-Noreaga Capone-N-Noreaga Capone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column... , Iman Thug |
| 9 | "Fire" | L.E.S. | Nature |
| 10 | "Power Rap" (Freestyle Interlude) | Havoc | Prodigy Prodigy (rapper) Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep.... |
| 11 | "Street Glory" | L.E.S. | Nas, Pop |
| 12 | "We Break Bread" | L.E.S. | Chaos, Craig G., Littles, Lord Black |
| 13 | "Money" | Alchemist The Alchemist (producer) Alan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California... |
Mr. Challish |
| 14 | "Self Conscience" | The Infinite Arkatechz | Nas, Prodigy |
| 15 | "Die 4" | Plain Truth | Infamous Mobb Infamous Mobb Infamous Mobb, also known as IM3, is a hip hop group from Queensbridge in Queens, New York, composed of members Ty Nitty, Twin Gambino and Godfather Pt.III. They are an integral part of the Queensbridge hip hop scene, which includes rappers like Nas, Cormega and Mobb Deep, and began with the Juice... |
| 16 | "Kids in Da P.J.'s" | The Infinite Arkatechz | Millennium Thug, Nas, The Bravehearts |
| 17 | "Teenage Thug" (Bonus Track) | Al West | Millennium Thug, Nas |
Though numbered correctly in the liner notes, the original compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
pressing erroneously combined tracks one and two during mastering, throwing off the count for the rest of the tracks by one number (i.e. "We Live This" is track two, "Real Niggas" is track three, and so on). Later, corrected masters feature the "Oochie Wally" remix (which features Nas in addition to the Bravehearts) in place of the original.
Samples
- "Da Bridge 2001" contains a sample from "The Bridge" by MC ShanMC ShanMC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:...
- "Find Ya Wealth" contains a sample from "Solstice" by Brian BennettBrian BennettBrian Laurence Bennett OBE, is an English drummer, pianist, composer, arranger and record producer of popular music. He is best known as the drummer of the UK rock and roll group, The Shadows....
- "Straight Outta Q.B." contains a sample from "Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A. Cormega's verse contains many recycled lyrics from Ice CubeIce CubeO'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
's verse on the original song. - "Oochie Wally" contains a sample from "Bambooji" by GongGong (band)Gong is a Franco-British progressive/psychedelic rock band formed by Australian musician Daevid Allen. Their music has also been described as space rock. Other notable band members include Allan Holdsworth, Tim Blake, Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage, Francis Moze, Mike Howlett...
- "Money" contains a sample from the theme song of "PhantasmPhantasm (film)Phantasm is a low-budget "cult classic" horror film produced in 1977 and released in 1979. The film was directed, written, photographed, co-produced and edited by Don Coscarelli...
" by Fred Myrow
"Self Conscience" contains a sample from The Exorcist theme
Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
| 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... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 2001 | QB Finest | #53 | #10 |
Singles chart positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||||
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | Rhythmic Top 40 | Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks Top 40 Tracks is a defunct airplay chart from Billboard Magazine. It was created in 1998, when Billboard Magazine changed the airplay profile of The Hot 100 Airplay to include more R&B, Country, and Rock stations to its profile . To preserve the notion of the former chart, Top 40 Tracks was... |
||
| 2001 | Da Bridge 2001 | - | - | #17 | - | - |
| 2001 | Oochie Wally Oochie Wally Oochie Wally is the second single from the album QB's Finest. The single is a collaboration with Nas & The Bravehearts.-Chart positions:"Oochie Wally" was crossover hit in the U.S. as it peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.... |
#26 | #11 | #2 | #6 | #36 |