4 tha Hard Way

Last updated
4 Tha Hard Way
4 Tha Hard Way.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 21, 1997
Genre West Coast Hip Hop, [1] Gangsta Rap, [1] G-funk
Label Virgin
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 [2]

4 Tha Hard Way is West Coast hip hop artist Rappin' 4-Tay's fourth album, released by Virgin Records in 1997. The album features production from Bay Area producer Ant Banks, as well as guest appearances from the likes of Tupac Shakur, Rick James, E-40 and Master P. The entire album is dedicated to the memory of Tupac Shakur.

Contents

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". [3]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Playaz Dedication" (featuring 2Pac)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

Related Research Articles

Anthony H. Forté, better known by his stage name Rappin' 4-Tay, is an American rapper from San Francisco, California.

<i>The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory</i> 1996 studio album by Makaveli

The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the fifth studio album by American rapper Tupac Shakur, his first posthumous album and the last released with his creative input. Recorded in July and August 1996, it was released on November 5, 1996, almost two months after his death, under the stage name of Makaveli, through Death Row Records, Makaveli Records and Interscope Records.

Anthony Lamont Banks is an American record producer and rapper from Oakland, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outlawz</span> American hip hop group

Outlawz are an American hip hop group founded by rapper Tupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur's release from prison and arrival at Death Row Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit 'Em Up</span> 1996 song by 2Pac featuring the Outlawz

"Hit 'Em Up" is a diss track by American rapper 2Pac, featuring the Outlawz. It is the B-side to the single "How Do U Want It", released on June 4, 1996. The song's lyrics contain vicious insults to several East Coast rappers, chiefly Shakur's former friend turned rival, the Notorious B.I.G.. The song was recorded at Can Am Studios in 1996. A previous version of the song was recorded in October 1995.

Dejuan Walker, better known by his stage name Suga Free, is an American rapper.

<i>Colton Grundy: The Undying</i> 2004 studio album by Blaze Ya Dead Homie

Colton Grundy: The Undying is the second studio album by American rapper Blaze Ya Dead Homie. The album was released on October 19, 2004. This album features Blaze rapping under his alternate persona, Colton Grundy, who he is credited as on this release and on guest appearances elsewhere during this period.

Mutah Wassin Shabazz Beale, better known as Napoleon, is an American former rapper of Tupac's rap group Outlawz. He has since reverted to Islam and is now a motivational speaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dear Mama</span> 1995 single by Tupac Shakur

"Dear Mama" is a song by American rapper 2Pac from his third studio album, Me Against the World (1995). It was released on February 21, 1995, as the lead single from the album. The song is a tribute to his mother, Afeni Shakur. In the song, Shakur details his childhood poverty and his mother's addiction to crack cocaine, but argues that his love and deep respect for his mother supersede bad memories. The song became his first top ten on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number nine. It also topped the Hot Rap Singles chart for five weeks. As of March 2021, the song is certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.

Jevon Jones is an American rapper better known by his stage name Tha Realest, and formerly Tenkamenin The Vigilante. His debut album, Witness Tha Realest, was released on July 14, 2009, following numerous delays. Tha Realest is also known, often in a negative light, for his strikingly similar voice to deceased rapper and former label-mate, Tupac Shakur. Tha Realest is also a member of The Regime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tupac Shakur discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Tupac Shakur consists of 11 studio albums. Throughout his career and posthumously, Shakur sold more than 125 million records worldwide. He has scored 5 No. 1 albums on Billboard 200 and 10 No. 1 albums on Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums. In 2001, Guinness World Records hailed him as the then Best-selling artist of hip-hop in the US. According to Recording Industry Association of America, he has sold 55.3 million albums and an additional 8 million under his alias Makaveli with "The Don Killuminati", making him the second best-selling hip-hop artist in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Noble</span> American rapper

Rufus Lee Cooper III, also known by his stage name Young Noble, is an American rapper who was part of Tupac Shakur's rap group Outlawz. Noble joined the Outlawz in early 1996, and was the last member to be added to the group by Tupac himself, before the late rapper's death in September 1996.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.

Malcolm Greenidge, known as E.D.I Mean and EDIDON, is an American hip hop artist and a member of the Outlawz. The name is a play on the name Idi Amin, former dictator of Uganda. While in the third grade, Malcolm became friends with Katari "Kastro" Cox who later introduced him to his cousin, Tupac Shakur.

<i>Hits II: Ganked & Gaffled</i> 2001 greatest hits album by Spice 1

Hits II: Ganked & Gaffled is second greatest hits album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released February 20, 2001 on Mobb Status Entertainment. The album features production by Ant Banks, Blackjack, E-A-Ski, Mike Dean, Paris, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic and Spice 1. It features songs from all of Spice 1's previous albums, as well as guest appearances from the albums: Hard to Hit, In a Major Way, Lost and the single "I Got 5 on It". The album features performances by 2Pac, E-40, Luniz, Dru Down, Shock G, Richie Rich, Roger Troutman, Too Short, 8Ball and Rappin' 4-Tay.

<i>Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991</i> 2007 compilation album by 2Pac

Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991 is a bootleg album by American rapper 2Pac, released on June 12, 2007 by Koch Records. The album was originally released on April 18, 2000, in bootleg form under the title The Lost Tapes: Circa 1989, but the selling was quickly halted due to copyright infringement and then re-released on Koch with and agreement with 2pac's former label Death Row Records but is officially also a bootleg because the estate of the rapper who was gunned down in 1996 had since moved on and formed its own label.

<i>Big Thangs</i> 1997 compilation album by Ant Banks

Big Thangs is a compilation presented by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks. It was released July 8, 1997 on Priority Records. The album contains no tracks on which Ant Banks himself raps but instead is a compilation of tracks that Ant Banks produced and composed, performed by various West Coast rap artists. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 20 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noo Trybe Records</span>

Noo Trybe Records was an American hip hop record label established in 1994 by Eric L. Brooks and operated as a sublabel of Virgin Records. It worked with several independent hip hop labels including Rap-A-Lot Records and AWOL.

<i>Dont Fight the Feelin</i> 1994 studio album by Rappin 4-Tay

Don't Fight the Feelin' is the second studio album by American rapper Rappin' 4-Tay from San Francisco, California. It was released on July 26, 1994 via Chrysalis Records and Rag Top Records. Recording session took place at Graffiti Tunez in West Oakland, at Buck Fifty Records, at Bay View Productions, at Sucka Free City and at JT's in the Mo. Production was handled by Ant Banks, Black C of RBL Posse, Cyrus Esteban, Gigolo G, J-Mack, JT the Bigga Figga, Lil' Fly, T.C., and Franky J, who also served as executive producer. The album features guest appearances from fellow San Francisco-based rappers JT the Bigga Figga, Lil' Fly and Seff tha Gaffla.

References

  1. 1 2 "4 Tha Hard Way - Rappin' 4-Tay | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r317479
  3. Henderson, Alex. "(4 Tha Hard Way > Overview )". Allmusic . Retrieved 2008-10-16.