The Beatnuts are an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights, Queens. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip as being members of Native Tongues. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.
Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the debut studio album by American rapper Common Sense, now known as Common, which was released on October 6, 1992, by Relativity Records. The album was entirely produced by No I.D. and The Twilite Tone, with additional production by The Beatnuts, and includes guest vocals from Immenslope, Miss Jones and Common's then-girlfriend Rayshel. Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming described it as "a clever but little-noticed first album".
The Beatnuts is the self-titled full-length debut album by hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released on June 21, 1994, by Relativity Records, a year after their debut EP, Intoxicated Demons. "Psycho Dwarf" is the only song found on both the EP and the album. The album was produced by The Beatnuts, and features guest appearances by Grand Puba, Miss Jones and DJ Sinister amongst others.
Stone Crazy is the second studio album by hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released on June 24, 1997 by Relativity Records and Epic Records in later pressings. It is the first album released by The Beatnuts after rapper Fashion left the group to pursue a solo career. The album is produced solely by The Beatnuts and features guest appearances by artists including Big Pun, Cuban Link and two rappers in the group Screwball. The album contains four singles, two of which charted. Stone Crazy had the best charting positions of any Beatnuts album upon its release, and is considered their breakthrough album.
Remix EP: The Spot is a 1998 EP by hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released on February 10, 1998 by Relativity Records. As its full title suggests, The Spot is composed mainly of remixes: it also has three sequel songs and one new recording, "Treat$". The sequels features new vocals over the original beats while the remixes contains the original vocals set to new music. The source of its remixes are songs from prior Beatnuts albums Intoxicated Demons: The EP, The Beatnuts: Street Level and Stone Crazy. All of its tracks are produced by The Beatnuts. No singles were released in promotion of The Spot.
"Reign of the Tec" is the debut single by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records on March 23rd, 1993 before being placed on The Beatnuts' debut EP Intoxicated Demons: The EP. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. It contains a beat that samples a guitar riff from "Wicked World" by metal band Black Sabbath. The song and its accompanying music video directed by David Perez Shadi are cited as "getting The Beatnuts noticed". DJ Fatboy of RapReviews.com lists its notable aspects: an"infectious chorus," a vocal sample from Brand Nubian's "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down (Remix)," and humorous lyrics.
"No Equal" is the second single by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records as a single before being placed on The Beatnuts' debut EP Intoxicated Demons: The EP. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju, Psycho Les and Fashion. It contains a spacy beat that features a prominent xylophone and brass section sampled from "Ain't No Sunshine" by Willis Jackson, "The Confined Few" by Irvin Booker & Booker Little and "Ain't No Sunshine" by Harlem Underground Band. It additionally samples Q-Tip's vocals from "Jazz " by A Tribe Called Quest and Rakim's vocals from "My Melody" by Eric B. & Rakim. The song's lyrics are explicit, braggadocios and humorous. DJ Fatboy of RapReviews.com explains that the song is carried by its "spanish(sic) tinged jazzy" beat, not its unjustifiably braggadocios lyrics.
"Props Over Here" is the first single from The Beatnuts: Street Level, a 1994 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records as a single with "Yeah You Get Props" as its b-side in 1994. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by JuJu, Psycho Les and Fashion. The lyrics are not as boastful as other Beatnuts songs, but are instead a hopeful demand to be considered good. "Props Over Here" contains a slow upbeat jazz-inspired instrumental that samples "Wee Tina" by Donald Byrd & Booker Little and "The Bridge" by MC Shan. Lenny Underwood plays keyboards on the song.
"Hit Me with That" is the second single from The Beatnuts: Street Level, a 1994 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records as a single with "Get Funky" as its b-side in 1994. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by JuJu, Fashion and Psycho Les. Its lyrics are about how "hardcore" The Beatnuts and their music are. It contains a slow, downtrodden and drum-heavy instrumental that samples "Love & Happiness" by Monty Alexander and "Holy Thursday" by David Axelrod. The song's refrain also contains a scratched sample of Method Man's vocals from "7th Chamber" by Wu-Tang Clan.
"Do You Believe?" is the second single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group the Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records as a single with "Give Me Tha Ass" as its b-side in 1997. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. Juju begins the song with a verse about his "ghetto mentality," while Psycho Les raps a verse about partying and making music. Juju's verse was later sampled in the song "Dos Factotum" by Louis Logic, while Psycho Les' verse was sampled in "Bottom Feeders" by Smut Peddlers. The song's mournful beat contains a samples "Fueron Tres Anos" by Chilean band Los Ángeles Negros.
"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in both 12 inch and CD format in 1997. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, the first on-record performance by Cuban Link, and a notable early verse from Big Punisher. Lyrics from Psycho Les's verse were later sampled in "The Rep Grows Bigga" by Gang Starr and two Beatnuts songs: "No Escapin' This" and "Slam Pit". The track's beat samples "Break that Party and Opening" by Melvin Van Peebles, "Sign Song" by Buddy Baker, "Get out of My Life, Woman" by George Semper and "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band.
"Here's a Drink" is the fourth and final single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released as a single by independent label Dixie Cup Records in 1997 and remains rare. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. The track samples "1nce Again" by A Tribe Called Quest. The song failed to chart or receive positive critical attention: Tom Doggett of RapReviews.com blames this on its "unconventional sample" and awkward staggered drums. It is nonetheless featured on The Beatnuts' 1999 hits compilation World Famous Classics.
"Watch Out Now" is the first single from A Musical Massacre, a 1999 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in 1999 in both 12 inch and CD format. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features materialistic raps by JuJu and Psycho Les, as well as a chorus performed by Yellaklaw. The track's fast-paced Latin beat samples "Hi-Jack" by Enoch Light.
"Se Acabo " is the second and final single from A Musical Massacre, a 1999 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in 1999 as a promo 12 inch and CD single. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features Spanish raps by Juju, Psycho Les and two Merengue rappers: Swinger and Magic Juan. The track's slow-paced Latin beat samples "Se Acabo" by Marco Antonio Muñiz. An English remix of "Se Acabo" featuring Method Man can be found on The Beatnuts' 2001 album Take It or Squeeze It.
"No Escapin' This" is the first single from Take It or Squeeze It, a 2001 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Loud Records in 2001 in both 12 inch and CD format. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features braggadocious raps by Juju and Psycho Les, as well as ad libs performed by Greg Nice and a chorus performed by Claudette Sierra. The track's beat samples "A Little Fugue for You and Me" by Enoch Light. The song's refrain contains a vocal sample from Psycho Les' verse on "Off the Books" by The Beatnuts.
"Duck Season" is the first single from Duck Season, Vol. 1, a 2002 album by West Coast DJ Babu the Dilated Junkie. It was released by Sequence Records as a 12 inch with "Ducky Boy" as its b-side in the United States, and "What Cha Know" as its b-side in Germany. The song features raps by The Beatnuts's two rappers and former group member Al' Tariq. The song's braggadocios lyrics are complemented by Babu's piano and synth-reliant beat. The song ends with Babu scratching various phrases such as "duck season" over a minimalistic beat. In addition, "Duck Season" contains scratched samples from "Beatnuts Forever" by The Beatnuts.
"Work that Pole" is the second single from The Originators, a 2002 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Landspeed Records in 2002 as a promo 12 inch. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju, Psycho Les and Tony Touch, as well as a chorus by an uncredited female vocalist. As a featured performer, Tony Touch also provides scratches on "Work that Pole". The song's lyrics detail encounters with attractive women. The song's beat is characterized by its quick drums, vocal sample and minimalistic Latin vibe.
"Out for the Cash" is a single and posse cut from DJ Honda's eponymous 1996 album. It was released by Relativity Records as a 12 inch in the United States and by Sony Music Entertainment as a CD single in Japan. The song features raps by the three original Beatnuts, as well as Fat Joe and Problemz. The song's lyrics are braggadocios and discuss the pursuit of attaining money. The song's beat, produced by turntablist DJ Honda, is reliant on pounding drums and a mournful soul sample. DJ Honda scratches a vocal sample from his song "Straight Talk from NY" onto "Out for the Cash". "Out for the Cash" is different from the DJ Honda song "Out for the Cash ," also known as "Pre of Cash."
The Beatnuts are a hip hop group and production team from Queens, New York. Its two current members, Psycho Les and Juju, have been involved in every Beatnuts album, while Al' Tariq left the Beatnuts after their eponymous 1994 release. The Beatnuts have released six full-length studio albums, two extended plays, one instrumental album, three compilation albums and 21 singles. They have also been featured on other artists' songs as both vocalists and producers. The Beatnuts self-produce all of their songs.
Relativity Urban Assault is a compilation album released by Relativity Records on September 10, 1996. The album's best known song is Common's "The Bitch in Yoo", which was a diss song aimed at rapper, Ice Cube and his group Westside Connection.
