4 tha Hard Way

Last updated
4 Tha Hard Way
4 Tha Hard Way.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 21, 1997 (1997-10-21)
Genre West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, G-funk
Label Noo Trybe
Producer Al Eaton, Alonzo Jackson, Ant Banks, C-Funk, Daniel LeMelle, G-Man Stan, K Lou, Les G, Mike City, Premiere Music, Rick James, Studio Ton
Rappin' 4-Tay chronology
Off Parole
(1996)
4 Tha Hard Way
(1997)
Bigga Than Da Game
(1998)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]

4 Tha Hard Way is the fourth album by the West Coast hip hop artist Rappin' 4-Tay, released by Noo Trybe Records in 1997. [3] Featuring production from Bay Area producer Ant Banks, [2] as well as guest appearances from the likes of Rick James, E-40 and Master P, the entire album is dedicated to the memory of Tupac Shakur.[ citation needed ] The album debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at number 169, [4] with 7,000 copies sold in the first week. Upon the album's release, Rappin' 4-Tay considered 4 Tha Hard Way his best album despite its surprisingly low sales, with his manager blaming the label for changing the release date and not promoting the album. [3]

Contents

Alex Henderson of AllMusic noted the album's "positive and congenial tone" and tendency towards "melodic, R&B-flavored tracks", concluding that it was "decent, but not remarkable". [1] Miguel Burke of The Source thought that the best moments on the albums are the songs performed solo by Rappin' 4-Tay, where he "stray[s] away from the redundant topic of being a player", but criticized the album for its lack of a hit song, resulting in an album that fails to reach the level of the classic West Coast hip hop albums. [2]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Playaz Dedication"4:49
2."One Nite"4:03
3."Beats for Sale" (skit)0:44
4."What's Wrong Wit' the Game" (featuring E-40)4:15
5."Money Makes the Man" (featuring J. Mess & Sauce)3:53
6."Where You Playin' At"4:31
7."Cold Blooded" (featuring Rick James)4:10
8."Just Came Up" (skit)0:17
9."Back At Cha"3:57
10."Playa 4 Life" (featuring Master P)4:14
11."What Fo'"5:25
12."Ain't Nobody Coachin'" (featuring Frankie J)3:46
13."Brin' the Beat Back" (featuring Lil' Fly)3:31
14."Lay Ya Gunz Down"4:54
15."The Biggie (skit)"0:27
16."The Biggie" (featuring Screwface)4:06
17."Shake It" (featuring The Conscious Daughters)4:26
18."The Element Of Surprise" (featuring San Quinn & Messy Marv)4:21
19."Thinkin' About You" (featuring Carl "C.D." Douglas)4:06
20."4-Tha Hard Way"3:33

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References

  1. 1 2 Henderson, Alex. 4 tha Hard Way at AllMusic
  2. 1 2 3 Burke, Miguel (December 1997). "Record Report: Rappin' 4-Tay – 4 Tha Hardway". The Source . No. 99. New York. p. 186.
  3. 1 2 Jam, Billy (November 16, 1997). "Sales Are Soft For 4-Tay's 'Hard'". San Francisco Examiner . p. 50. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. "Billboard 200 – Week of November 8, 1997". Billboard . Retrieved June 9, 2024.