Foundation | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 29, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1998 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 1:07:48 | |||
Label | Arista | |||
Producer |
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Brand Nubian chronology | ||||
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Singles from Foundation | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Los Angeles Times | [2] |
RapReviews | 9/10 [3] |
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | [4] |
The Source | [5] |
The Village Voice | [6] |
Tom Hull | B+( ) [7] |
XXL | 4/5 (XL) [8] |
Foundation is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 29, 1998, via Arista Records. The album marked the reunion of the four original members, Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo, who hadn't released an album together since their 1990 debut One for All .
Production was handled by Lord Finesse, Chris "CL" Liggio, Buckwild, Diamond D, DJ O.Gee, DJ Premier, and members Grand Puba and DJ Alamo, with co-producer Swade Puma. It features guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Common and Loon.
The album debuted at number 59 on the Billboard 200 and number 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States. The only charted single off of the album, "Don't Let It Go to Your Head", became Brand Nubian's biggest US hit, reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 24 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 3 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Foundation saw the group regain their past success, critically and commercially. Unlike previous releases, Foundation mostly features outside production, resulting in an updated sound.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Here We Go" | Grand Puba | 0:22 | |
2. | "The Return" | DJ Premier | 4:00 | |
3. | "Shinin' Star" |
| Grand Puba | 3:40 |
4. | "The Beat Change" |
| Lord Finesse | 2:26 |
5. | "Migraine" (Interlude) | 0:24 | ||
6. | "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" |
| Chris "CL" Liggio | 4:04 |
7. | "Brand Nubian" |
| Buckwild | 4:01 |
8. | "Maybe One Day" (featuring Common) |
| Buckwild | 4:41 |
9. | "Let's Dance" (featuring Busta Rhymes) |
|
| 4:06 |
10. | "Back up Off the Wall" (featuring Loon) |
| DJ Alamo | 4:10 |
11. | "Black on Black Crime" (Interlude) | 0:48 | ||
12. | "I'm Black and I'm Proud" |
|
| 3:17 |
13. | "Sincerely" |
| DJ O.Gee | 3:50 |
14. | "Probable Cause" |
| DJ Alamo | 5:13 |
15. | "The Ghetto" (Interlude) | 0:41 | ||
16. | "Love vs. Hate" |
| Lord Finesse | 4:31 |
17. | "Too Late" |
|
| 4:45 |
18. | "Straight Outta Now Rule" |
| Lord Finesse | 4:39 |
19. | "Foundation" |
| Diamond D | 3:52 |
20. | "U for Me" |
| Lord Finesse | 4:18 |
Total length: | 1:07:48 |
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [9] | 59 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ( Billboard ) [10] | 12 |
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