A History of Violence (album)

Last updated
A History of Violence
AHOV.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 11, 2008
Recorded20072008
Genre Underground hip hop
Label Babygrande
Producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind
Jedi Mind Tricks chronology
Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
(2006)
A History of Violence
(2008)
Violence Begets Violence
(2011)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CHARTattack Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
RapReviews8.5/10 [3]
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]

A History of Violence is the sixth studio album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records. [5] The album followed multiple summer releases from the Jedi Mind Tricks camp, including the group's first DVD, titled Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks, and the Vinnie Paz-executive produced projects Jedi Mind Tricks presents Doap Nixon: Sour Diesel , Jedi Mind Tricks presents King Syze: The Labor Union , and Jedi Mind Tricks presents OuterSpace: God's Fury . [6] The album's first single Monolith was released on October 2, 2008. [7] Their second single Godflesh was released on their website and it featured King Magnetic and Block McCloud. The album features former Jedi Mind Tricks member Jus Allah's return to the group.

Contents

Sales

The album sold 4,451 units in its first week out. [8]

Track listing

All songs are produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind

No.TitleLength
1."Intro"1:06
2."Deathbed Doctrine"4:23
3."Deadly Melody" (featuring Block McCloud & Demoz)4:33
4."Monolith"3:38
5."Those with No Eyes (Interlude)"1:21
6."Trail of Lies"4:27
7."Heavy Artillery"3:41
8."Seance of Shamans" (featuring Doap Nixon & OuterSpace)4:09
9."Geometry in Static (Interlude)"0:50
10."Godflesh" (featuring Block McCloud & King Magnetic)4:08
11."Terror" (featuring Demoz)4:02
12."Butcher Knife Bloodbath"3:55
13."The Sixth Gate Shines No More (Interlude)"0:48
14."Death Messiah" (featuring Dutch)4:14
Total length:45:15

Charts

Charts (2008) [9] Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 169
U.S. Top Heatseekers 6
U.S. Independent Albums 19
U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 49

Notes

Related Research Articles

7L & Esoteric (7LES) are an underground hip hop duo from Boston, Massachusetts, known for battle rhymes and boom bap production. 7L is the duo's DJ/producer and Esoteric is the MC. 7L & Esoteric are both prominent members of underground hip-hop collectives Army of the Pharaohs and Demigodz, as well as being 2/3 of Czarface along with Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck.

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

Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) are an American underground hip hop group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1996 by two high school friends, rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. In 1999, rapper Jus Allah joined the group to record their second studio album, Violent by Design. Jus left the group shortly after, but returned in late 2006 and began working on the sixth studio album, A History of Violence. In 2011 Stoupe left the group because "his heart wasn't in making JMT records anymore". In 2013, Jus split from the group indefinitely, and Stoupe returned in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army of the Pharaohs</span> American hip hop group

Army of the Pharaohs is an American underground hip hop collective originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks founder Vinnie Paz in 1998. The collective has strong links to other underground east coast groups such as Outerspace, Snowgoons, La Coka Nostra, Demigodz, 7L & Esoteric, and JuJu Mob. AOTP's affiliations and member roster has changed several times since its formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esoteric (rapper)</span> American rapper

Seamus Ryan, better known by his stage name Esoteric, is a Boston-based underground hip-hop artist. Esoteric is half of the hip hop duo 7L & Esoteric, a third of Czarface and is a member of underground hip-hop collectives Army of the Pharaohs and Demigodz. He started his solo career in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OuterSpace</span> American underground hip hop duo

OuterSpace is an underground hip hop duo from North Philadelphia. Originally a trio consisting of three Puerto Rican friends that then took the artist names Planetary, Jedeye and Crypt the Warchild. The founding member Mario Collazo (Planetary) was then attending 10th grade, while the other two, Richard Cruz (Jedeye) and Marcus Albaladejo, were in 8th grade.

<i>Violent by Design</i> 2000 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's previous label, Babygrande Records, re-released the album on May 25, 2004. The original vinyl release featured twenty tracks, while the original CD release featured two extra tracks: the "Heavenly Divine Remix", originally released on the B-Side to JMT's "Heavenly Divine" single, and "War Ensemble", originally released as the B-Side of the Army of the Pharaohs Five Perfect Exertions EP. Babygrande's Deluxe Edition featured three more bonus tracks: "Untitled", "Retaliation Remix" and "Blood Runs Cold", the latter two originally featured on the "Retaliation" single. The Deluxe Edition also included a bonus DVD, featuring a video scrapbook from their Visions of Gandhi tour, and the music video for the group's 1997 track "I Who Have Nothing".

<i>The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness</i> 1997 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness is the debut album of underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, consisting of rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The original version of the album was released in 1997, limited to 1000 copies on vinyl by Superegular Records, and was re-released on CD in 2003 on Babygrande Records with six bonus tracks, featuring songs recorded by the group before their debut release. It has been a common misconception that the vinyl version was re-issued in 2001, possibly because the back of the vinyl release says "2001 Superegular." The album contains some themes on religious corruption and violence, themes that would later be expanded upon on their later works. Primarily the album focuses on references to astronomy, history and physics. The album was inspired by a lot of "crazy books" mentioned by Vinnie Paz in an interview, and is named after one of those books; "Matrix III - The psycho-social, chemical, biological & electro-magnetic manipulation of human consciousness".

<i>Legacy of Blood</i> 2004 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Legacy of Blood is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released on September 21, 2004 via Babygrande Records. Production was handled by member Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, with Chuck Wilson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Des Devious, GZA, Killah Priest and Sean Price.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jus Allah</span> American rapper

James Bostick, better known by his stage name Jus Allah, is an American rapper from Camden, New Jersey. He is best known for being a former member of Philadelphia-based hip hop groups Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) and Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind</span> American record producer

Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind or simply Stoupe, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Stoupe has worked with only a limited number of artists outside of Jedi Mind Tricks, including 7L & Esoteric, Canibus, Virtuoso and Guru of Gang Starr.

<i>Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell</i> 2006 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the fifth studio album by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released September 19, 2006 through Babygrande Records. The first single, "Heavy Metal Kings", featuring Ill Bill of La Coka Nostra, was released in early August through iTunes and a limited edition vinyl pressing. Additional guest appearances on the album are provided by Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Sean Price, R.A. the Rugged Man, Block McCloud and Army of the Pharaohs members Chief Kamachi and Reef the Lost Cauze.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Paz</span> American rapper

Vincenzo Luvineri, better known as Vinnie Paz, is a Sicilian American rapper and producer behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planetary (rapper)</span> American rapper

Mario Collazo, better known by his stage name Planetary, is an American underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and a member of Army of the Pharaohs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retaliation (song)</span> 2001 song performed by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Retaliation" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, the third released from their second album Violent by Design, following "Heavenly Divine" and "Genghis Khan". Released in 2001, the single was the group's last release on self-run Superegular Recordings. The following year, the group migrated to Babygrande Records. "Retaliation" contains a musical sample from "El Rio Y Las Rosas" by Rosita Peru, a vocal sample from "Cross My Heart" by Killah Priest, and a vocal sample from "Money in the bank" by Kool G. Rap. The single also contains the edited "Retaliation (Remix)", and the B-Side track "Blood Runs Cold", featuring Heltah Skeltah's Sean Price, both originally only available on this single. Babygrande Records re-released Violent by Design in 2004, including both "Retaliation (Remix)" and "Blood Runs Cold" as bonus tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Animal Rap</span> 2002 single by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Animal Rap" is the lead single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks from their third album Visions of Gandhi (2003). The first vinyl pressing was released in 2002 and the CD pressing was released in 2003. The single was the group's first release on Babygrande Records. There are two versions of the song; "Animal Rap " and "Animal Rap "—both referencing the rivalry between the boxers. The former features an intense orchestral sample, matched with Mike Tyson interview clips, and the latter features a melancholy guitar loop, matched with a light, sung vocal sample.

<i>Decalogue</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind

Decalogue is the first full-length solo album from Jedi Mind Tricks producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The album was released on March 31, 2009 under Babygrande Records. Vocals are provided by various rappers and the production is entirely handled by Stoupe himself.

<i>Rip the Jacker</i> 2003 studio album by Canibus

Rip the Jacker is the fifth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Canibus. Produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind of the group Jedi Mind Tricks, the album was released on July 22, 2003, through Babygrande Records.

<i>Violence Begets Violence</i> 2011 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Violence Begets Violence is the seventh studio album by underground Philadelphia hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. This is their only album to not feature production from Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind because "his heart wasn't into making JMT records anymore" as well as the fact that both Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah grew tired of waiting. Two singles were released, "Target Practice" and "When Crows Descend Upon You," for which a video has been made. In addition, Shuko remixed the song "Target Practice".

<i>The Thief and the Fallen</i> 2015 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

The Thief and the Fallen is the eighth studio album by American Philadelphia-based underground hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released on June 2, 2015 through Enemy Soil Entertainment. Production was handled entirely by member Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, who had left the band before their 2011 album Violence Begets Violence, which was produced by fellow associates of Army of the Pharaohs. It features guest appearances from Yes Alexander, Eamon, A-F-R-O, Dilated Peoples, Lawrence Arnell, R.A. the Rugged Man and Thea Alana. The album peaked at number 105 on the Billboard 200, at number 11 on both Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Independent Albums charts, at number 10 on both Top Rap Albums and Tastemakers charts, and at number one on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.

<i>The Bridge and the Abyss</i> 2018 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

The Bridge and the Abyss is the ninth studio album by underground American hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. The album contains a feature from Sean Price on the track "Legacy of the Prophet", who died in 2015.

References

  1. "Chart Attack - Best Magazine 2020". Chart Attack.
  2. J-23 (November 13, 2008). "Jedi Mind Tricks - A History Of Violence". HipHopDX.
  3. Steve 'Flash' Juon (November 18, 2008). "Jedi Mind Tricks: A History of Violence: Babygrande Records". Rap Reviews.
  4. Mosi Reeves (December 18, 2008). "Jedi Mind Tricks, 'A History of Violence' (Babygrande)". Spin.
  5. "Indie Sensation Jedi Mind Tricks Unveil 1st Single & Album Cover For Their Forthcoming LP "A History of Violence - In Stores November 11th". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
  6. "Jedi Mind Tricks and Babygrande Records unveil Jedi Mind Tricks 2008 Release Schedule". Archived from the original on July 11, 2008.
  7. "Babygrande Home". Archived from the original on June 8, 2008.
  8. Jake Paine (2008-11-19). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/17/08 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2011-09-19.
  9. A History of Violence