The Infamous

Infobox Album
Name = The Infamous


Type = studio
Artist = Mobb Deep


Released = April 25 1995
Recorded = mid 1994 – early 1995
Battery Studios, NYC
Platinum Island Studios, NYC
Firehouse Studios, NYC
Unique Recording, NYC
Genre = East Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, Hardcore rap
Length = 66:51
Label = Loud/RCA/BMG Records
07863-66480
Producer = Prodigy
Havoc
Q-Tip (credited as The Abstract)
Schott Free (executive)
Matt Life (executive)
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:zefibkk9jakv link]
*"The Source" Rating|5|5 June 1995 (p. 71)
*Rapreviews.com rating-10|9 [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_theinfamous.html 2001]
*"Entertainment Weekly" (B+) 5 May, 1995 (p. 71)
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/285279/review/6067930/theinfamous link]
Last album = "Juvenile Hell" (1993)
This album = "The Infamous" (1995)
Next album = "Hell on Earth" (1996)Singles
Name = The Infamous
Type = studio
single 1 = Shook Ones Pt. II
single 1 date = 1995
single 2 = Survival of the Fittest
single 2 date = 1995
single 3 = Temperature's Rising
single 3 date = 1995

"The Infamous" is the second album by Queensbridge hip hop duo Mobb Deep. Embedded with hypervisual lyricism, dark soundscapes, and gritty narratives, it marked Mobb Deep's transition from a relatively unknown rap duo to an influential and commercially successful one.

Acclaim

"The Infamous" garnered much acclaim and was, by some, considered to be a cornerstone of New York hardcore rap.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:23rx287t05ja |title = "The Infamous" at Allmusic.com |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006] Publications usually gave it its highest possible ratings, such as Allmusic, which gave it five stars.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:23rx287t05ja |title = "The Infamous" at Allmusic.com |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006] 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.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mobbdeep/albums/album/285279/review/6067930/the_infamous |title = "The Infamous" at Rollingstone.com |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006] "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.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.mobbdeepworld.com/discography.php |title = MobbDeepWorld.com |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = June 25 |accessyear = 2006] It was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 26, 1995.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp |title = Gold and Platinum Database Searach at Riaa.com |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006]

"The Infamous" has received many accolades since its 1995 release. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine's 100 Best Hip-Hop Albums.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.rocklist.net/source.htm |title = 100 Best Hip-Hop Albums at rocklist.net |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006] 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.cite web |last = |first = |url = http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/061024/A3580.htm |title = The Infamous at Acclaimedmusic.net |format = |work = |publisher = |accessdate = December 31 |accessyear = 2006]

Musical Style

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. 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.

Influence

"The Infamous" was an important contribution to a regional stylistic change. Along with artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep's songs were often dark stories of crime and poverty in the city streets. Consequently, the New York style of production greatly changed from upbeat and jazz-influenced, into raw, gritty, stripped-down, and minimalist beats. This style of production, often characterized by low-fidelity drum samples and heavily filtered bass lines under melodic loops, would soon be recognized nationally as unique to New York City.

Track listing

References