Discography |
No Title Len Rating --- -------------------------------- ---- ------ |
** Albums ** |
The Giancana Story, Koch Ent., 11/26/02, 8 1. Thug For Life 3:23 10 2. Where You At 3:54 1 3. Holla Back 5:24 10 4. It's Nothing 2:35 5 5. Drama 3:15 10 6. Thug Chronicles 3:37 10 7. Blaze Wit Ya'll 4:36 5 8. Black Widow (She's Dressed...) 4:40 10 9. Fight Club (Get Em Up Now) 3:40 10 10. My Life 4:06 10 11. Good Die Young 4:14 10 12. The Streets 3:42 9 13. Gangsta Gangsta 3:33 3 14. My Life (Remix) 5:11 3 |
The Giancana Story (Rawkus Vinyl), Rawkus Ent., 7/??/02, 8 1. How It Feels 3:58 5 2. The Streets 3:34 9 3. Wit Y'all 4:37 5 4. This Is My Life 3:58 2 5. Y'all Niggaz 5:18 10 6. This Means War 3:10 3 7. Holler Back 4:45 10 8. Thug For Life 3:25 10 9. Ordinary Love 3:48 9 10. She's Dressed To Kill 4:42 10 11. Thug Out 3:42 2 12. Only The Good Die Young 4:15 10 13. Rap Is A Villian 3:23 9 14. Why You Gotta Do It Like That 3:43 10 15. Get Em Up Now 3:59 10 16. First Nigga (Remix) 3:07 10 17. Keep Goin 4:19 2 18. Where You At 3:53 1 |
Road To The Riches/Wanted Dead Or Alive, Lanspeed Records, 6/26/01, 10 Disc 1 1. Road To The Riches 4:48 10 2. It's A Demo 4:27 9 3. Men At Work 5:02 10 4. Truly Yours 5:07 9 5. Cars 3:07 6 6. Trilogy of Terror 2:40 5 7. She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not 5:21 8 8. Cold Cuts 3:52 6 9. Rhymes I Express 3:47 5 10. Poison 4:45 7 11. Butcher Shop 3:44 7 Disc 2 1. Streets Of New York 4:18 10 2. Wanted: Dead Or Alive 4:33 10 3. Money In The Bank 5:00 10 4. Bad To The Bone 5:23 10 5. Talk Like Sex 5:12 10 6. Play It Again, Polo 4:09 10 7. Erase Racism 4:30 10 8. Kool Is Back 3:25 10 9. Play It Kool 4:30 10 10. Death Wish 4:04 10 11. Jive Talk 4:36 10 12. The Polo Club 4:01 10 13. Rikers Island 5:33 9 |
Best Of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Lanspeed Records, 10/17/00, 10 Disc 1 1. I'm Fly 5:46 3 2. It's A Demo 3:58 9 3. Rikers Island 5:36 9 4. Rhyme Tyme 6:35 3 5. Poison 4:42 7 6. Road To The Riches 5:15 10 7. Truly Yours 5:12 9 8. Men At Work 5:06 10 9. Butcher Shop 3:46 7 Disc 2 1. Streets Of New York 4:21 10 2. Money In The Bank 5:00 10 3. Bad To The Bone 5:23 10 4. Wanted: Dead Or Alive 4:35 10 5. Talk Like Sex 5:11 10 6. Erase Racism 4:32 10 7. Ill Street Blues 3:48 10 8. On The Run (Dirty Al Capone) 4:13 8 9. F*ck U Man 4:10 7 10. Letters 3:42 3 |
Roots Of Evil, IllStreet/Down Low Music, 10/20/98, 10 1. Intro 1:42 10 2. Hitman's Diary 3:43 10 3. One Dark Night 1:44 7 4. Foul Cats 3:23 10 5. TeKilla Sunrise 4:31 10 6. At Da Wake 1:10 10 7. Home Sweet Funeral Home 2:50 9 8. Mobstas 3:18 8 9. Let Da Games Begin 3:27 10 10. A Thugs Love Story (Ch. 1, 2, 3) 9:33 10 11. Da Bosses Lady 3:54 10 12. Mafioso 2:51 10 13. Thugs Anthem 3:46 10 14. Da Heat 3:34 9 15. Can't Stop Da Shine 3:57 10 16. Cannon Fire 4:11 10 17. Outro 1:05 10 18. Daddy Figure 5:06 7 |
Rated XXX, Cold Chillin', 7/2/96, 8 1. I Ain't Trickin' 4:18 5 2. Under 21 Not Permitted 4:14 10 3. No More Mister Nice Guy 4:26 4 4. Check The Bitch 2:57 4 5. F*&@ U Man (Remix) 4:20 10 6. Talk Like Sex 5:09 10 7. Lifestyles Of The Rich and Famous 4:58 10 8. Enter The Dragon 5:51 8 9. I'm Fly 5:42 3 10. Rhyme Tyme 6:34 3 11. Rikers Island 5:33 9 12. Keep It Swingin' 4:40 10 |
4,5,6, Cold Chillin'/Epic Street, 9/26/95, 10 1. Intro 1:02 10 2. 4,5,6 3:21 8 3. It's A Shame 4:04 10 4. Take 'Em To War 3:54 9 5. Executioner Style 4:07 10 6. For Da Brothaz 3:45 7 7. Blowin' Up In The World 4:26 6 8. Fast Life 4:54 10 9. Ghetto Knows 4:29 10 10. It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Mix) 3:10 10 11. Money On My Brain 4:53 6 |
Killer Kuts, Cold Chillin', 3/29/94, 9 1. Road to the Riches 4:48 10 2. Death Wish 4:40 10 3. Streets of New York 4:18 10 4. Ill Street Blues 3:24 10 5. Men At Work 5:02 10 6. Truly Yours 5:07 9 7. Rikers Island 5:33 9 8. Letters 3:40 3 9. On The Run 4:38 4 10. Talk Like Sex 5:12 10 11. Jive Talk 4:36 10 12. Poison 4:45 7 13. Operation CB 4:28 3 14. It's A Demo 4:27 9 15. Wanted: Dead Or Alive 4:33 10 |
Live and Let Die, Cold Chillin', 11/17/92, 4 1. Intro 0:41 3 2. On The Run 4:38 4 3. Live And Let Die 5:14 4 4. Crime Pays 2:14 4 5. Home Sweet Home 2:36 5 6. Train Robbery 4:10 4 7. #1 With A Bullet 2:36 4 8. Operation CB 4:28 3 9. Straight Jacket 3:11 3 10. Ill Street Blues 3:24 10 11. Go For Your Guns 4:35 6 12. Letters 3:40 3 13. Nuff Said 2:45 5 14. Edge Of Sanity 5:11 10 15. F*ck U Man 4:10 7 16. Still Wanted Dead Or Alive 3:26 3 17. Two To The Head 4:46 6 |
Wanted: Dead Or Alive, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1990, 10 1. Streets Of New York 4:18 10 2. Wanted: Dead Or Alive 4:33 10 3. Money In The Bank 5:00 10 4. Bad To The Bone 5:23 10 5. Talk Like Sex 5:12 10 6. Play It Again, Polo 4:09 10 7. Erase Racism 4:30 10 8. Kool Is Back 3:25 10 9. Play It Kool 4:30 10 10. Death Wish 4:04 10 11. Jive Talk 4:36 10 12. The Polo Club 4:01 10 13. Rikers Island 5:33 9 |
Road To The Riches, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1989, 9 1. Road To The Riches 4:48 10 2. It's A Demo 4:27 9 3. Men At Work 5:02 10 4. Truly Yours 5:07 9 5. Cars 3:07 6 6. Trilogy of Terror 2:40 5 7. She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not 5:21 8 8. Cold Cuts 3:52 6 9. Rhymes I Express 3:47 5 10. Poison 4:45 7 11. Butcher Shop 3:44 7 |
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** Singles ** |
The Streets/First Nigga/Thug For Life, Rawkus Ent., 2001 1. The Streets (Clean) ?:?? 9 2. The Streets (Dirty) ?:?? 9 3. The Streets (Instrumental) ?:?? 10 4. Thug For Life (Clean) ?:?? 9 5. First Nigga (DJ Premier Remix Clean) ?:?? 6 6. First Nigga (DJ Premier Remix Dirty) ?:?? 7 7. First Nigga (Instrumental) ?:?? 5 8. Thug For Life (Dirty) ?:?? 10 The Streets, Rawkus Ent., 2001, 10 1. The Streets (Radio) ?:?? 9 2. The Streets (Dirty) ?:?? 9 3. The Streets (Instrumental) ?:?? 10 Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous, Cold Chillin', ??/??/96 1. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Album) ?:?? 10 2. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Instrumental) ?:?? 10 Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous, Cold Chillin', ??/??/96 1. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Vocal) ?:?? 10 2. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Dub) ?:?? 10 3. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Instrumental) ?:?? 10 4. Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous (Accapella) ?:?? 10 Can't Stop The Shine, IllStreet/Down Low Music, ?/??/99 1. Can't Stop The Shine (Clean) ?:?? 10 2. Can't Stop The Shine (Album) ?:?? 10 3. Can't Stop The Shine (Acapella) ?:?? 10 4. Can't Stop The Shine (Instru.) ?:?? 10 5. Thug's Anthem (Clean) ?:?? 10 6. Thug's Anthem (Album) ?:?? 10 7. Thug's Anthem (Acapella) ?:?? 10 8. Thug's Anthem (Instru.) ?:?? 10 Foul Cats, IllStreet/Down Low Music, 9/1/98 1. Foul Cats (Radio Edit) 3:25 10 2. Foul Cats (Instrumental) 3:24 10 3. Foul Cats (Album Version) 3:25 10 4. Foul Cats (Acapella) 3:13 10 Poison, Prism, 1988 1. Poison (Hip Hop Version) ?:?? 7 2. Poison (Dub Version) ?:?? 10 3. Poison (Radio Version) ?:?? 7 Road To The Riches, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros, 1989 ??. Road To The Riches ?:?? ?? ??. Butcher Shop ?:?? ?? Truly Yours, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros, 1989 1. Truly Yours (Remix Vocal) ?:?? 9 2. Truly Yours (Dub) ?:?? 9 3. Cold Cuts (LP Version) ?:?? 6 Streets Of New York, Cold Chillin', 1990 1. Streets Of New York (Album) 4:18 10 2. Streets Of New York (Dub) ?:?? 10 3. Streets Of New York (Long Version) ?:?? 10 4. Poison (Album Version) 4:45 7 Erase Racism, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1990 1. Erase Racism 4:30 10 2. Wanted: Dead Or Alive (Remix) ?:?? 8 3. Wanted: Dead Or Alive (Dub) ?:?? ?? 4. Wanted: Dead Or Alive (Instr.) ?:?? 8 Bad To The Bone, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1990 1. Bad To The Bone (Street Remix) ?:?? 10 2. Bad To The Bone (Radio Remix) ?:?? 10 3. Bad To The Bone (Dub) ?:?? 10 Bad To The Bone, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1990 1. Bad To The Bone (Street Remix) ?:?? 10 2. Bad To The Bone (Radio Remix) ?:?? 10 Bad To The Bone, Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros., 1990 ??. Bad To The Bone ?:?? 10 ??. Wanted Dead Or Alive (Remix) ?:?? 8 Ill Street Blues, Cold Chillin', 1992 1. Ill Street Blues (Illest Version) 3:49 10 2. Ill Street Blues (Acappella) 3:27 6 3. F*@k U Man 3:49 7 4. Ill Street Blues (Instrumental) 4:01 10 On The Run, Cold Chillin', 1992 1. On The Run (Dirty Al Capone) 4:12 8 2. On The Run (Instr. Al Capone) 4:12 9 3. On The Run (Acapella Al Capone) 4:03 6 4. On The Run (Dirty Untouchable) 4:20 9 5. On The Run (Instr. Untouchable) 4:21 10 6. Straight Jacket (LP Version) 3:11 3 It's A Shame, Cold Chillin'/Epic Street, 1995 1. It's A Shame (Original) 3:54 10 2. It's A Shame (Acappella) 3:54 10 3. It's A Shame (Instrumental) 3:54 10 It's A Shame, Cold Chillin'/Epic Street, 1995 1. It's A Shame (Soul Mix) ?:?? 10 2. It's A Shame (Soul Instrumental) ?:?? 10 3. It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Mix) ?:?? 10 4. It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Instr.) ?:?? 10 5. It's A Shame (Acappella) ?:?? 10 Fast Life, Cold Chillin'/Epic Street, 1995 1. Fast Life (Original) 4:54 10 2. Fast Life (Instrumental) ?:?? 9 3. Fast Life (Accapella) ?:?? 6 4. 4,5,6 (Original) 3:21 8 5. 4,5,6 (Instrumental) ?:?? 8 Fast Life, Cold Chillin'/Epic Street, 1995 1. Fast Life (Original Mix) ?:?? 10 2. Fast Life (Acappella) ?:?? 6 3. Fast Life (Instrumental) ?:?? 9 4. It's A Shame (Soul Mix) ?:?? 10 5. It's A Shame (Soul Instrumental) ?:?? 10 6. It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Mix) ?:?? 10 7. It's A Shame (Da Butcher's Instr.) ?:?? 10 Death Threat, Delicious Vinyl, 1992 ??. Death Threat (LP Version) ?:?? 6 ??. Death Threat (Heavies Mix) ?:?? ?? ??. Death Threat (Clean Version) ?:?? ?? Fast Life, Epic Street 12" Sampler, 1996 ??. Fast Life (Norfside Mix) ?:?? ?? ??. Fast Life (Norfside Instrumental) ?:?? ?? It's A Demo, Cold chillin' 12", 1886, 1998 ??. It's A Demo ?:?? ?? ??. I'm Fly ?:?? ?? Rikers Island, Cold chillin' 12", 1987 ??. Rikers Island ?:?? ?? Talk Like Sex, Cold chillin' 12", 2/26/98 1. Talk Like Sex 5:12 10 2. F*ck U Man 4:10 7 |
** Guest Appearances/Tracks on other Artist's Albums and Singles ** |
Da Beatminerz, Brace 4 Impak, EMD/Priority, 7/31/2001 ?? Chine XL, I Told You So, Metro, 9/11/2001 ?? Bowtie, Son of a Junkie, Flight Risk, 5/29/2001 ?? Smut Peddlers, Talk Like Sex Pt. 2, Eastern Conference Records, 5/22/2001 Talk Like Sex Pt. 2 DJ Muggs, Real Life, Ruff Life Records, 12/5/2000 Real Life Truck Turner, Symphony 2000, Jive Records, 8/24/1999 Symphony 2000 B-1, Cardinal Sins, Rawkus Records, ??/??/?? Cardinal Sins DJ JS1, Take A Loss, Yosumi Records, 6/6/2001 Take A Loss Cb4, Soundtrack, UNI/MCA, ??/??/1993 Sweat Of My Balls Mo B Dick, Gangsta Harmony, EMD/Priority, 4/27/1999 Mo B's Theme Oz, TV Soundtrack, EMD/Avatar, 1/9/2001 Oz Theme 2000 Various Artists, Hip Hop For Respect, EMD/Priority, 4/25/2000 One Four Love Pt. 1 The Fast and the Furious, ??, ??, ??/??/?? The Streets Black & White, Soundtrack, Sony/Columbia, 3/28/2000 Dramacide Yukmouth, Thug Lord: New Testament, EMD/Virgin, 3/27/2001 Thug Money Tony Touch, ??, ??, ??/??/?? Class of '87 Smut Peddlers, Porn Again, EMD/Priority/Rawkus Ent., 2/13/2001 Talk Like Sex Pt. 2 Nature, ??, ??, ??/??/?? Friend of Mine Angie Martinez, Up Close & Personal, WEA/Elektra Entertainment, 4/17/2001 Live From The Streets Half-A-Mill, Million, Warlock Records, 4/25/2000 Thug Onez Easy Mo Bee, Now Or Never-Odyssey 2000, EMD/Priority, 5/9/2000 N.Y.C. D'Angelo, ??, ??, 1995 Brown Sugar (Remix) Big Punisher, Endangered Species, Loud, 3/27/2001 Wishful Thinking Big L, Big Picture, EMD/Priority/Rawkus Ent., 7/11/2000 Fall Back Chine XL, ??, ??, ?? Let 'Em Live Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, Reflection Eternal, EMD/Priority/Rawkus Ent., 10/17/00 Ghetto Afterlife DJ Muggs, Soul Assassins Chapter 2, Virgin, ??/??/?? Real Life Ghost Dog-Way Of The Samurai, Soundtrack, Sony/Epic, 4/11/00 Cakes Various Artists, Discover The Rhythm Of Hip Hop, Drum Rhythm (HOL), 12/1/99 Take 'Em to War Various Artists, Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2, EMD/Priority/Rawkus Ent., 12/7/00 Legendary Street Team Funk Master Flex Big Kap, The Tunnel, Def Jam, 1999 QBG Various, Beats and Rhymes: Hip Hop...Part I, Rhino Records, 10/28/97 Erace Racism Various, 80's Underground Rap: Don't Believe The..., Rhino Records, 5/19/98 The Symphony Part I Original Soundtrack, Turf Stories, Sony/Columbia, 5/11/99 Break A B**ch Sway & King Tech, This or That, Interscope Records, 6/15/99 The Anthem 3 To The Dome Noreaga, N.O.R.E., Penalty Recordings, 7/14/98 40 Island Ice Cube, Featuring...Ice Cube, Priority Records, 12/16/97 Two To The Head Bookie, Stressin', Fo' Life Records, 10/26/99 Bedtime Stories Gooch, A Lot On It, Geffen Records, 6/17/97 ?? Mobb Deep, Murda Muzik, Loud/RCA Records, 6/15/99 The Realest Various, Rag G Style, Priority Records, 5/30/95 Two To The Head Papoose & AZ, Thug Connection, ??, 6/8/99 Thug Connection MC-Shan, Pee-Nile Reunion, Livin' Large, 11/30/93 Pee-Nile Reunion Roxanne Shante, Greatest Hits, Cold Chillin', 1995 Deadly Rhymes Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard, Give 'Em The Finger, Giant, 10/12/1993 This Is How We... DJ Shadow, Psyence Fiction, Pgd/Full Frequency Range, 9/29/98 Guns Blazing Various, Juice Crew Story, Cold Chillin', 3/24/95 It's A Demo Road To The Riches Symphony Vol. 1 Marly Marl, House Of Hits, Cold Chillin', 1995 Symphony Vol. 1 Poison Symphony Vol. 2 The Poetess, Simply Poetry, Interscope, 8/30/92 Love Hurts Ali Dee, Bring It On, EMI/Capitol, 2/23/93 ?? Heavy D & the Boyz, Nuttin But Love, UNI/MCA, 5/24/94 ?? Ruffa, A Diamond In The Ruff, UNI/MCA, 9/24/96 Representin' Money B, Folk Music: Music by My Folks Fo' My Folks, ??, 1996 One Hoe Fat Joe, Represent, Relativity/Combat/Ruthless, 8/10/93 You Must Be Out Of Your F*in' Mind Heavy D & the Boyz, Peaceful Journey, UNI/MCA, 7/2/91 Don't Curse M.O.P., Firing Squad, Relativity/Combat/Ruthless, 10/22/96 Stick To Ya Gunz Frankie Cutlass, Politics & Bullsh*t, Relativity/Combat/Ruthless, 2/11/97 Know Da Game Pete Rock, Soul Survivor, BMG/RCA, 11/10/98 Truly Yours '98 Original Soundtrack, Colors, WEA/Warner Brothers, 4/26/88 Butcher Shop Brand New Heavies, Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1, BMG/Delicious Vinyl, 1992 Death Threat Various, Pass The Mic - Posse Album, Priority, 5/31/96 Symphony Vol. 1 |
Photography |
Wanted Dead Or Alive 1 - (Wanted_Dead_Or_Alive_01.jpg) |
Videography |
My Life Can't Stop The Shine On The Run Ill Street Blues Road To The Riches Fast Life Streets of New York Symphony Part 1 Don't Curse The Anthem |
Biography |
PROLOGUE TO KOOL G RAP: THIS IS AN EDITORIAL
Understand, I mean no disrespect. By the same token, I would appreciate
if you, the hip hop community, would set aside your programmed notion of
who the "best" rapper is. Please release yourself from the conditioning
via radio spins, corporate marketing, your fleeting childhood, record
sales and other concepts that confuse you. Being the best has to do with
none of that. The following does.
Tell me what rapper has been killin' from 1984 until 2001 and has never
spit a wack verse. What rapper lyrically competed (and survived) in the
acclaimed Golden Era of Rap along the likes of Big Daddy Kane and Rakim?
What rapper pioneered the New York State of mind style of street hip hop
(before Criminal Minded)? Who's style of hip hop is most alive today,
heavily influencing the modern greats like Nas, B.I.G., Big Pun, Canibus
and others? There is only one name that answers every one of these
questions.
KOOL G RAP.
Earlier than people care to recall, G Rap united the thugged out mentality with
the rapid-fire, yet fluid flow. Truly, he was the first volcanic emcee, the
hard rock that could (and can) flow with anybody, from any period in hip hop.
G Rap's journey has not been without valleys, but there has never been a
question of his lyrical mauling of competion, even though some of the beats
couldn't compete. Road to the Riches. Wanted Dead or Alive. Live and Let Die.
456. Roots of Evil. And now, through a deal with Rawkus Records, Kool G Rap
births The Giacana Story, his most anticipated album ever.
We spoke with G, who is calm, cool and collected about his position in the
game. (Even though we weren't. You better recognize the best! - Jigsaw)
Allhiphop.com: You have never seemed to get bitter when the chips were
down even though you are certainly one, if not the best ever.
Kool G Rap: I'm one of those people that never let anger chew me up inside.
If I stumble, fall or whatever, I just get right back up. Whatever. Anger
takes a lot of energy out of you and it messes up your focus. I just focus
on doing me.
What did you learn from the Roots of Evil album? Anything?
Definitey. I got to, for the first time, learn the business side of it.
On a hands on basis. I learn about marketing and promotion. To me, it
was a good album - one of my best albums, to me. (Lack of marketing and
promotion) was the reason the project didn't do what we expected it to do.
What it did do is, it let everybody in the new millenium or everybody about
to come in the new millenium, hear what G Rap is sounding like.
I got the album and feel it is easily one of the tightest. I turned people
on to it that didn't know it was out. Song like "Thug Love Story (Parts I,
II & III)" and "Let The Games Begin" has real ill lyrics. Do you ever feel
like, "Damn, they missed them?"
Yeah, like a lot of people come up to me like, that last album was crazy.
I know the masses didn't hear it. You just have to keep moving on. You
know what I'm sayin'?
I know you got this deal with Rawkus. How are they treating you up there?
(laughs) As far as me, they treat me good. I don't have any bad feelings
about the label or nothing like that. They are like a different label to
deal with. I'm a street artist and they aren't a label known for putting
out street artists. Our ideas and opinions clash. So that's the only
kind of problems I go through with Rawkus. Other than that, financially
and otherwise, they stay real supportive.
You are generally humble, but "First Nigga" had you poppin' shit to remind
cats?
Yeah, like "Who brought you that street shit."
Like you said in that song, "you are an 80s cat rippin' it." What's your
view on hip hop, from your classics to now?
It was more lyrical then. You know? The brothers that were considered the
best rapping were all lyrical. G Rap. Big Daddy Kane. Rakim. Krs-One.
It was about lyrics then. Not taking nothing away from the cats today,
because there is a lot of lyrical brothers today, you know? They are
talented. But as far as what sells, it's more fashion now.
Do you ever feel that you are too lyrical. You got cats that have the
slow flow, gangsta style, but nobody is spittin' like you nowadays. Your
approach is a little more complex?
Oh, definitely. That's why I learned to tone it down a little bit and make
songs instead of records. Some joints on the album, I still rep. That's
for people that like to hear G Rap just go crazy and spit raw lyrics. As
far as being a businessman, you have to put together songs too.
Mcs in general don't like to do those radio joints. I mean the
die-hard lyicists.
Doing something that plays on the radio is not necessarily have to be an
R&B person singing on the hook or real happy sort of production. You hear
some of the stuff on the radio (laughs), its just that fine line - to be
right in the middle. You can attract the mainstream audience and still
be you - your raw, rugged self. Whatever.
What's your key to longevity?
A love for the game. If you got true love for the game in your heart...
If you got somebody in the game that's hot and sounds good, and that still
moves you, you got love for the game. You can do well as an artist. Soon
as you start doing this shit to pay the bills and all that, that's when
it's basically over.
Have you had any frustatated periods in your life?
Yeah, definitely! Many times (I've been) like "I don't even want to do
this shit no more."
When was that? Because there have been a few slumps in your career where
cats weren't really checkin' for you.
Yeah. About the 456 album, I wasn't really into it no more. I was really
getting tired, you know what I'm saying? To that was like my weakest
album.
We have a lot of older school cats coming, like your man Big Daddy Kane.
Is hip hop coming full circle?
Yeah, I heard Kane got some fire too. (laughs) To me, you can only let
yourself play out.
You are still living in Arizona, right? I hear cats mumbling about you are
out of touch being away from the city.
I recorded my whole last album in Arizona, except for a few cuts. My
heart is still in New York. It's a frame of mind.
How do you feel about the young cats that haven't heard the "Symphony" and
think Biggie was the first to spit New York gangsta shit?
That's because of the times. Kids that are like 14-15, they don't know
too much about G Rap like that. Except for the features for the last 2
years or so. They don't really know what made people praise G Rap the
way they do, or whatever. They don't know the foundation. They don't
know that before G Rap, they weren't talking about selling drugs in the
street, murdering. they weren't doing nothing relating to the streets.
They were talking about making new dances.
What's up with your seeds?
Things are good. I got three sons, 13, 11 and 4.
How do they feel about Dad?
They loving that they children of G Rap, somebody that everybody praises.
Any of them trying to rhyme?
Nah, they moms isn't going for that. She got their face in the books. She
wants them to focus on doing good in school, use his intelligence, but first
things is first.
G Rap rhymes like he is starving. Do you feel you are in a "make or break"
situation with this album?
Oh yeah. Nobody don't want to have nothing to do with nobody that ain't
hot right now.
Where does the fire come from. You were on song after song after song for
a minute. Were you eating off the features?
That definitely kept me eating, because they were coming in at a mile a
minute. Man, I musta been doing 40-50 grand a month off features.
Gotdamn.
2001, Jigsaw
Kool G Rap never rose to superstar status during his late-'80s reign
as a leading member of Marley Marl's Juice Crew, but the Queens-bred
hardcore rapper endured for over a decade, eventually experiencing a
renaissance of sorts in the early 2000s. After teaming up DJ Polo and
Marl, G Rap's breakthrough came with the "It's a Demo" 12" in 1986.
Released on Marl's fledging Cold Chillin' label, the single
established Cold Chillin' as a noteworthy outpost for a gritty,
street-savvy style of New York hip-hop in the process establishing
G Rap and his trademark lisp as a proponent of this new wave. Next
came a series of similarly successful singles such as "Poison" and
"Streets of New York," followed by a series of more ambitious LPs.
Unfortunately, G Rap's LPs never measured up to his late-'80s
singles, and he spent the 1990s on the brink of extinction. Then at
the end of the decade, the rapper began collaborating with the
younger New York artists such as Mobb Deep and M.O.P. that he had
influenced. These collaborations led to a promising record deal
with Rawkus, New York's most respected outpost for underground
flavored hip-hop at the dawn of the 2000s. The "Kool Genius of Rap"
began life as Nathaniel Wilson in a rough section of Queens, where
he first met Eric Barrier and Polo, two friends with a mutual
interest in hip-hop. While Barrier went onto a short-lived yet
successful career as the less-acknowledged half of Eric B and
Rakim, Polo and G Rap collaborated and released the It's a
Demo/I'm Fly 12" on Cold Chillin' in 1986. This legendary single was
the first of several; "Streets of New York," "Poison," and "Road to
the Riches" also being noteworthy singles. G Rap also graced Marl's
"The Symphony," a performance that promised him legendary status in
itself. By 1989 he was making LPs rather than 12" singles, signaling
G Rap's rise from the underground to mainstream recognition. Yet
while Juice Crew peers such as Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie scored
crossover singles, had big-selling LPs, and soon found themselves on
MTV, G Rap struggled with his sudden position on the uncomfortable
brink of crossing over. Sure, his LPs had their share of highlights
such as "Road to the Riches" and "Erase Racism," in addition to the
aforementioned singles, but his albums with Polo never achieved what
many had hoped for in terms of popularity. By the mid-'90s, G Rap
parted ways with his longtime partner, commemorated by 1994's Killer
Kuts best-of, and attempted a solo career with the 4,5,6 album on
Cold Chillin' in 1995, followed by Rated XXX in 1996 and Roots of
Evil in 1998. None of these albums garnered much attention,
commercial or critical, and it seemed as though G Rap was bound to
suffer old-school status like most of his '80s peers. As G Rap's
name became less and less acknowledged among contemporary rap
listeners in the late '90s, the stalwart MC simultaneously began
focusing his efforts on guest appearances. Collaborating with the
likes of Fat Joe, Big Pun, M.O.P., Mobb Deep, Nas, RZA, Big L, and
Talib Kweli along with a surprising appearance on U.N.K.L.E.'s
high-profile Psyence Fiction album as well as Lyricist Lounge 2
G Rap gained substantial momentum. Once joining forces with Rawkus,
his renaissance officially began as the label began promoting his
comeback album months before its 2001 release. The crafty yet
prestiged label adopted the tag "the game was named after him" in
regard to the G in his name and talked up his legendary status.
With appearances by most of the early 2000's Queensbridge camp and
production by the likes of DJ Premier, Rockwilder, and DJ Skratch,
along with a number of up-and-coming New York producers, G Rap
couldn't be in a better position. Furthermore, he even started his
own clique, the Black Gorilla Family.
2001 Jason Birchmeier
It started back in the Corona section of
Queens, New York around 1986, when mutual friend Eric B. (of Eric
B. & Rakim fame) introduced Kool G Rap to DJ Polo. Born
Nathaniel T. Williams on July 20, 1968 in Elmhurst, Queens, Kool G
Rap already was making a rap name for himself while still in high
school. But it was Polo who, impressed with G's skills, took him to
meet producer Marley Marl. At the time, Marley was heading up the
Juice Crew, a coalition of New York MCs including Big Daddy
Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan and Roxanne Shante.
As Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, the pair recorded its first 12-inch, "It's A
Demo," with Marley producing. In no time, word spread across the
East Coast about G Rap's massive abilities on the mic. G Rap was
red-hot, and Marley teamed him with Masta Ace, Craig G, and Big
Daddy Kane on what would become the Juice Crew anthem, "The
Symphony." This track is recognized today as a hip-hop classic and
a crucial breakthrough in the successful careers of all four MCs.
"The Symphony" left an entire East Coast audience wanting more,
and within a year Kool G Rap & Polo released their first Cold
Chillin' album, Road To The Riches. Several cuts from the album,
including "Poison" and the fierce jailhouse saga "Rikers Island,"
became underground hits and solidified G Rap's place in the rap
pantheon. "I didn't think Road To The Riches would blow up like it
did," G Rap says in retrospect. "That caught me by surprise."
The success of the duo's second Cold Chillin album, Wanted Dead
Or Alive, came as no surprise. It only took one listen to know that the
lead track, "Streets Of New York," was a bona fide hit. "Talk Like
Sex" and "Bad To The Bone" likewise kept heads nodding and mix
tapes jammed. In 1992, Kool G Rap & Polo took it to the West
Coast for their third album, Live And Let Die. An established icon in
the East, G had yet to receive the props he deserved on a national
level. For Live And Let Die, he went to Cali and cut several tracks
with Sir Jinx, best known for his work with Ice Cube. The result was
a funky album that caught the attention of the entire hip-hop nation
without losing any of G Rap's original flavor.
With 4, 5, 6, Kool G Rap is set to do it all over again. (Polo has
gone off on other pursuits, so G is going to do this on his own.) The
album title 4, 5, 6 is a reference to the dice game called celo.
Played on the streets for money, celo often is the cause of
beatdowns and gun battles. But if you hit 4, 5, 6 straight on the dice,
you win. When asked why this album was called 4, 5, 6, G Rap
matter-of-factly answers: "'Cause this is the one that's gonna be a
winner."
He definitely wins with songs like "Money On The Brain" and "Take
'Em To War," but the first single "It's A Shame" is money in the
bank. "'It's A Shame' is about me livin' in the lap of luxury and all
that," explains G Rap. "And it's a shame what I gotta do to live that
type of lifestyle--Don Juan or whatever. It's a shame what a mans
gotta sell to his own people, turn 'em into junkies... shit like that."
"Fast Life" is banging too, and features fellow Queens MC Nas. "It's
kind of the same as 'It's A Shame,'" explains G Rap. "But it's talking
about me, my man Nas and my man 'Preme. Three niggas from
Queens--the American dream."
What distinguishes G from most rappers is his ability to paint vivid
pictures in rhyme. "Kool G Rap has a gift for ill imagery and detailed
fantasy," says The Source, "that separates him from the pack of
hardcore MCs." In its advance review of the new album, Vibe wrote:
"Over the course of 10 tales of lives on the line, street loyalty,
desperate criminal ambition, unsentimental remorse, and vicious
capitalist ethics, 4,5,6 approaches thug life the right way: as if it
had never been written about before."
He has refined his art, expanded his audience, and created his
fifth album at a time when many rappers are lucky to get past their
first.
1995, Sony Music
Being considered one of hip hop's greatest
emcees is enough glory to separate the true
grandmasters from the mere mortals with
mics. But to be considered one of history's
greatest and still make an impact on
today's audience is an achievement that's
proven elusive to even the most celebrated
funky rhyme sayers. Kool G. Rap, however,
is no ordinary lyrical legend. With Thug
Chronicles, his eighth album of original
material in a stellar 15 year recording
career and his first for Rawkus Records G.
Rap reaffirms his status as one of the
worthiest wordsmiths to ever spit as he
takes his rightful place amongst
contemporary hip hop's elite as only the
Kool Genius of Rap can.
"A lot of people say that I'm before my
time," says G. Rap. "I think that's true to a
degree because the shit a lot of artists are
doing now I did well over ten years ago.
Back then most audiences weren't ready for
it. It's a better situation for me now because
the hip hop audience has widened. All the
stuff I was doing 12, 13 years ago is highly
acceptable now."
Upon debuting with former partner DJ Polo
in 1986 with the Marley Marl-produced
classic "It's A Demo", G. Rap immediately
impressed avid rap listeners with prodigious
verbal skills and a fluid cadence
distinguished, though unfettered, by his
hard lisp. As a member of seminal '80s'
indie Cold Chillin' Records' Juice Crew a
clique that included MC Shan, Biz Markie,
Roxanne Shanté, Master Ace, Craig G and
Big Daddy Kane G. Rap more than held his
own amidst his esteemed colleagues,
showcasing his wit, humor and all-out
battling abilities on tracks like "Rhyme
Time" "Poison" and "Men At Work."
By the time of Marley Marl's "The
Symphony" generally acknowledged as the
greatest posse cut of all time and featuring
G. Rap and Kane in the coveted third and
clean-up slots respectively a common,
hotly contested debate amongst hardcore
hip hop enthusiasts would commence over
which of the Juice Crew's two most talented
young lyrical lions was hotter? With lines
like, "Take a deep breath because you
don't have another left/ Coming back like
I'm avenging my brother's death/ Making
veterans run for medicine/Cuz I put out
more lights in a fight than Con Edison,"
from G. Rap's infinitely quotable
contribution, more than a few heads gave
the nod to Corona, Queens' finest.
"It was a friendly rivalry," G. Rap reminisces
with a chuckle about his competition with
Kane. "We never really went at each other.
If Kane came out with a record like 'Raw' I
came with 'Men At Work.' He came with 'Set
It Off' or 'Wrath Of Kane', I came with 'Kool
Is Back' or 'Poison.' Those are real
hardcore, show-your-talent lyrics the
rhymes that you pull out your hat that best
represents your talent and skill."
2001, Rawkus Ent.
|
Reviews |
4,5,6 - CD Universe
Contrary to popular belief, mastery of the art of gangsta
rap is not a trait inherent solely to West Coast artists.
Long before Snoop was drinking gin and juice and MC Eiht
was coming strapped, Kool G. Rap was holding down the
fort in the rugged streets of Queens, New York. After
almost three years in hiding, the Kool Genius of Rap
reclaims his throne (this time without the help of DJ Polo)
on 4, 5, 6, summing up his lifestyle with vicious truths,
New York-based producers, and a metaphorical rhyming
style that puts all other MCs to sleep.
The album's title track exercises G. Rap's street-inspired
lyrics, and its boom-bap beat represents a more
old-school sound. "It's A Shame" is a slowed down sequel
to Kool G. Rap's 1993 underground smash "Ill Street
Blues," mixing soulful vocals with the rapper's hardcore
feel in an approximation of a West Coast-sounding
background. With the help of producer Buck-Wild, Kool G.
Rap makes an East Coast anthem out of "Fast Life,"
joining forces with Nas to make "a team out of Queens
with the American dream...plotting up a scheme to get
the 7-digit C.R.E.A.M."
As a member of the infamous Juice Crew, Kool G. Rap
upholds the group's reputation of supplying hip-hop with
the finest lyricists. Despite a healthy lisp, he manages to
flip each graphic rhyme too quickly to catch the first time
around, making himself and 4, 5, 6 influential to a number
of artists.
4,5,6 - The Source (10/95, p.97)
4 Mics - Slammin' - "...he
doesn't just rap, he paints pictures...leaving you feeling
like you had just watched a four minute movie....Kool G.
Rap has done it again..."
4,5,6 - Vibe (9/95, p.197)
"...Over the course of 10 tales of
lives on the line, street loyalty, desperate criminal
ambition, unsentimental remorse, and vicious capitalist
ethics, 4,5,6 approaches thug life the right way: as if it
had never been written about before....determinedly New
York old-school, with few concessions to contemporary
fashion..."
4,5,6 - College Media, Inc.
With nearly every new top dog in hip-hop, the focus on making money,
busting heads, and getting the girl (you already know the offensive term)
has become essential to the credibility check list of every rap album. But
for every artist who claims to do it the best (see Notorious BIG., Nas, Junior M.A.F.I.A., et
al.), there will always be one MC who inherently does it better; case in point: New York's
Kool G Rap (the "G" stands for Genius). With his former partner DJ Polo, Kool G defined the
most rugged side of hip-hop on Road To Riches and Wanted: Dead Or Alive. But unlike his
peers, G Rap did it using lyrics as his ammunition, not props or special effects. As a solo
artist, Kool G Rap is in fine form on the explosive 4,5,6, once again setting the new
standard in New York hardcore. "Take `Em To War," one of the album's most heated cuts,
features one of G Rap's most incendiary comments - "Fuck what ya heard: crime pays!" - a
comment which makes this record a nightmare for right wingers. Kool G's lyrics are like
short stories ("Blowin' Up In The World"), or paintings that tell a story; "For Da Brothaz"
offers advice to kids today by telling stories of his past. By design, 4,5,6 will pull you in,
beat you up, and leave you for dead, executioner style. The album's production is
consistent, yet varied, with street funk as the main ingredient. It doesn't get any better
than this: the title track, "It's A Shame," "Fast Life" and "Money On My Brain."
|
Links |
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