| Cancer 4 Cure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 22, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2008–2012 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 49:05 | |||
| Label | Fat Possum Records | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| El-P chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Cancer 4 Cure | ||||
| ||||
Cancer 4 Cure is the third solo studio album by American rapper and producer El-P. It was released through Fat Possum Records on May 22, 2012. [1] It peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard 200 chart. [2]
The album is dedicated to El-P's friend and fellow rapper Camu Tao, who died of lung cancer in May 2008 at the age of 30. [3] In an interview with Rolling Stone , El-P said, "Camu was a huge inspiration on this record, mostly because he had a huge effect on my life and who I am." [4] He elaborated, "I think that I'm trying to create an idea or illustrate a thought pattern, just because there's darkness that I see and think about, it doesn't mean I've given into it. I think the record is ultimately about not giving into it. For the most part I'm struggling with that darkness throughout the record. When I say it's about wanting to live, I just say that because that's how I feel. When you get hit with death, sometimes as horrible as it is, one of the things that can come out of it is a reaffirmation of how much you don't want to go, and I think that's what happened with me." [5]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 8.2/10 [6] |
| Metacritic | 84/100 [7] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| The A.V. Club | A [9] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [10] |
| The Guardian | [11] |
| Los Angeles Times | [12] |
| Mojo | [13] |
| Pitchfork | 8.5/10 [3] |
| Q | [14] |
| Rolling Stone | [15] |
| Spin | 7/10 [16] |
At Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received a score of 84 based on 39 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [7]
David Jeffries of AllMusic stated, "Cancer 4 Cure is about hip-hop like Glengarry Glen Ross was about sales, but these great works transcend their industries, offering solace and inspiration to anyone who would prefer a satisfied mind over a Cadillac Eldorado, or in current terms, an Escalade." [8]
In a more critical review, Dan Weiss of The Boston Phoenix stated that the album "is definitely not El-P's Age of Apocalypse " and that "in fact it's the only El-P production that sounds like it's been made on planet Earth, following hip-hop rules that someone else already defined". [17]
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 405 | Albums of the Year | 12 | [18] |
| Beats per Minute | The Top 50 Albums of 2012 | 34 | [19] |
| Chicago Tribune (Greg Kot) | Top 10 Albums of 2012 | 7 | [20] |
| Cokemachineglow | Top 50 Albums 2012 | 3 | [21] |
| Complex | The 50 Best Albums of 2012 | 10 | [22] |
| Consequence of Sound | Top 50 Albums of 2012 | 25 | [23] |
| Exclaim! | Best Albums of 2012: Top 50 Albums of the Year | 14 | [24] |
| No Ripcord | Top 50 Albums Of 2012 | 36 | [25] |
| Obscure Sound | Best Albums of 2012 | 35 | [26] |
| Paste | The 50 Best Albums of 2012 | 12 | [27] |
| Pitchfork | The Top 50 Albums of 2012 | 45 | [28] |
| PopMatters | The 75 Best Albums of 2012 | 35 | [29] |
| The Best Hip-Hop of 2012 | 4 | [30] | |
| Pretty Much Amazing | Best Albums of 2012 | 20 | [31] |
| Spin | 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012 | Unranked | [32] |
| Spinner | The 50 Best Albums of 2012 | 33 | [33] |
| Stereogum | Top 50 Albums of 2012 | 15 | [34] |
| Treble | Top 50 Albums of 2012 | 22 | [35] |
| The Village Voice | Pazz & Jop | 26 | [36] |
All tracks are written and produced by El-P, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Request Denied" | 4:32 | ||
| 2. | "The Full Retard" | 3:39 | ||
| 3. | "Works Every Time" | 3:35 | ||
| 4. | "Drones Over Bklyn" |
| 5:49 | |
| 5. | "Oh Hail No" (featuring Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire and Danny Brown) |
| 3:41 | |
| 6. | "Tougher Colder Killer" (featuring Killer Mike and Despot) |
| 3:39 | |
| 7. | "True Story" | 3:14 | ||
| 8. | "The Jig Is Up" |
| 3:18 | |
| 9. | "Sign Here" | 2:51 | ||
| 10. | "For My Upstairs Neighbor (Mums the Word)" |
| 3:15 | |
| 11. | "Stay Down" (featuring Nick Diamonds) |
|
| 3:10 |
| 12. | "$4 Vic/Nothing but You+Me (FTL)" | 8:23 | ||
| Total length: | 49:05 | |||
Credits adapted from liner notes.
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 [2] | 71 |
| US Independent Albums ( Billboard ) [37] | 15 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ( Billboard ) [38] | 7 |
The Eminem Show is the fourth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 26, 2002, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album saw Eminem take a predominant production role, including the album's three hit singles: "Without Me", "Cleanin' Out My Closet", and "Sing for the Moment". Guest appearances include Obie Trice, D12, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Dina Rae, and Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade.
Aquemini is the third studio album by the American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on September 29, 1998, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius and Gemini, which is indicative of the album's recurring theme of the differing personalities of the two members. The group recorded the majority of the album in Bobby Brown's Bosstown Recording Studios and Doppler Studios, both in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jaime Meline, better known by the stage name El-P, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Starting his career as a member of Company Flow, he has been a driving force in alternative hip hop since the mid-1990s, producing for rappers including Aesop Rock, Cage, and Mr. Lif. He was a member of The Weathermen and was the co-founder, owner, and CEO of the Definitive Jux record label.
Movies for the Blind is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Cage. It was released on August 6, 2002 through Eastern Conference Records. Recording sessions took place at The Muthafuckin' Spot On Lexington. Production was handled by DJ Mighty Mi, Camu Tao, El-P, J-Zone, Necro, Red Spyda, RJD2 and the Ghetto Professionals. It features guest appearances from Copywrite and Mr. Eon. The album peaked at number 193 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
Fantastic Damage is the first solo studio album by American hip hop artist El-P. It was released through Definitive Jux on May 14, 2002. It peaked at number 198 on the Billboard 200 chart. Music videos were created for "Stepfather Factory" and "Deep Space 9mm".
Hell's Winter is the second solo studio album by American rapper Cage. It was released by Definitive Jux on September 20, 2005. It peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, as well as number 36 on the Independent Albums chart.
I'll Sleep When You're Dead is the second solo studio album by American hip hop artist El-P. It was released through Definitive Jux on March 20, 2007. It peaked at number 78 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling about 11,000 copies in its first week. Music videos were created for "Flyentology" and "Smithereens".
Tero Smith, better known by his stage name Camu Tao, was an American rapper, singer, and producer.
None Shall Pass is the fifth studio album by American hip hop artist Aesop Rock. It was released on Definitive Jux on August 28, 2007.
Before I Self Destruct is the fourth studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released November 16, 2009, on Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, Interscope Records and Universal Music Group. The album is his final solo release with Shady, Aftermath and Interscope excluding his 2017 Greatest Hits album Best Of. An accompanying feature film of the same name coincided with its release, and is available within the albums packaging.
808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 24, 2008, having been recorded earlier that year in September and October at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dominating its production, West was assisted by fellow producers No I.D., Plain Pat, Jeff Bhasker, and Mr Hudson, while also utilizing guest vocalists for some tracks, including Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, and Lil Wayne.
The ArchAndroid is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe, released on May 18, 2010, by Wondaland Arts Society, Bad Boy Records, and Atlantic Records. Production for the album took place at Wondaland Studios in Atlanta and was primarily handled by Monáe, Nate "Rocket" Wonder, and Chuck Lightning, with only one song without production by Monáe. She also collaborated for certain songs with Saul Williams, Big Boi, of Montreal, and Deep Cotton.
Relax is the only studio album by American hip hop trio Das Racist. It was released by Greedhead Music on September 13, 2011. It peaked at number 111 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is the second studio album by the American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Anna Wise and MC Eiht. It is Lamar's first major label album, after his independently released first album Section.80 in 2011 and his signing to Aftermath and Interscope the following year.
R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels. The album’s title is a reference to Ye’s record label G.O.O.D Music.
How I Do is the debut studio album by American singer Res. It was co-written by Santi White, produced by Martin "Doc" McKinney, and released by MCA Records on June 26, 2001. The album charted for nine weeks on the Billboard 200, with the singles "Golden Boys" and "They-Say Vision" also charting.
Run the Jewels 2 is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Run the Jewels, which consists of Killer Mike and El-P. The album was released early for free on October 24, 2014, and the following day on iTunes. It was made available on CD and LP by Mass Appeal Records and RBC Records on October 28, 2014.
Still Brazy is the second studio album by American rapper YG. It was made available for streaming on June 14, 2016, by Apple Music. Later, it was released physically for the digital download purchases on June 17, 2016, by 4Hunnid Records, CTE World and Def Jam Recordings. The album features production handled by Swish, P-Lo, Terrace Martin, Larrance Dopson, CT Beats, Ty Dolla Sign and Hit-Boy, while YG enlisted the collaborators such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Nipsey Hussle and Slim 400, among others.
Run the Jewels 3 is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Run the Jewels, which consists of rappers El-P and Killer Mike. It was self-released through their Run the Jewels, Inc. imprint via RBC Records digitally on December 24, 2016, and physically on January 13, 2017. The album serves as the follow-up to their 2014 album, Run the Jewels 2. It features guest appearances from Danny Brown, Joi, Trina, Boots, Tunde Adebimpe, Zack de la Rocha, and Kamasi Washington. The album was supported by three singles: "Talk to Me", "2100", and "Legend Has It". Similar to Run the Jewels 2, it was released as a free download on their website as well as being physically released on CD and LP.
Coloring Book is the third mixtape by American rapper Chance the Rapper. It was produced by his group The Social Experiment, Lido, and Kaytranada, among others. For the mixtape, Chance also collaborated with musicians such as Kanye West, Young Thug, Francis and the Lights, Justin Bieber, 2 Chainz, Kirk Franklin, and the Chicago Children's Choir.
