"Ain't No such things as half-way crooks..."
Apr 19, 2009 at 7:00 AM Official Sunday workout song !!! "Shook Ones" by Mobb Deep. This album --"the Infamous" is a classic.
The Infamous garnered much acclaim and was, by some, considered to be a cornerstone of New York hardcore rap. The record was originally given a rating of 4.5 mics out of 5 in The Source in 1995. Publications usually gave it its highest possible ratings, such as Allmusic, which gave it five stars. One writer for Rolling Stone magazine said that with the help of Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep elevated the spirit of New York hip-hop to the highest that it had been since the mid-1980's. The Infamous also received positive commercial acclaim upon release: it spent 18 weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart, peaking at #18, and spent 34 weeks on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, peaking at #3. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 26, 1995.
The Infamous has received many accolades since its 1995 release. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. It also found its way on to Blender magazine's 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die in 2003 and Vibe's 51 Albums representing a Generation, a Sound, and a Movement in 2004.
The album's haunting style, defined by its evocative melodies, sullen rhymes, and rugged beats, followed the recent success of Wu-Tang Clan and reflected the dark side of New York City's urban landscape in a manner that garnered special recognition and critical praise. In The Source, Dimitry Leger wrote "Havoc and Prodigy, two 20-year-olds from the Queensbridge Housing Projects, never crack a smile on the album's sinister cuts, but nevertheless paint vivid scenes of roughneck life with a humorous deadpan". Furthermore, the album helped redefine the sound of the hardcore hip-hop genre using its production style—which incorporated eerie piano loops, distorted synthesizers, eighth-note hi-hats, and sparse bass lines.
The album also features several notable Mobb Deep songs, including "Survival of the Fittest," "Up-North Trip," "Temperature's Rising," "Give up the Goods (Just Step)," "Drink Away the Pain," and "Eye for an Eye" (featuring Nas and Raekwon). However, the focal point of the album is "Shook Ones Pt. II," a street anthem that has since become Mobb Deep's signature song.
Reader Comments (2)
I loved that song. I continue to be thoroughly impressed with not only the ecko brand ( bought 2 shirts yesterday lol) but also what you are doing for art and artist, just left complex.com and read articles from comicbooks to entrepreneurs ( also caught the part about advertising). Being ab artist and entreprenuer myself I am gratefull for your success and how you have given back and opened the door for others. Peace
C-note
not to forget: this single song (and pt.2) is the start and final punchline of Eminems "8 Mile" movie