God of the Serengeti

Last updated
God of the Serengeti
God of the Serengeti.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 22, 2012 (2012-10-22)
Recorded2011–2012
Genre
Length1:09:55
Label
Producer
Vinnie Paz chronology
Season of the Assassin
(2010)
God of the Serengeti
(2012)
The Cornerstone of the Corner Store
(2016)

God of the Serengeti is the second studio album by American rapper Vinnie Paz. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Enemy Soil Entertainment and The Orchard. Production was handled by C-Lance, JBL the Titan, Arcitype, Beatnick Dee, DJ Lethal, DJ Premier, Havoc, Illinformed, Jack of All Trades, Marco Polo, Mr. Green, MTK, Psycho Les, Stu Bangas and Tony Kenyatta. It features guest appearances from Army of the Pharaohs, Blaq Poet, Block McCloud, Baby Pun, F.T., Immortal Technique, Kool G Rap, La Coka Nostra, Mobb Deep, Poison Pen, Q-Unique, R.A. the Rugged Man, Scarface, Smoke, Tragedy Khadafi and Whispers.

Contents

Music videos were released for the songs "Cheesesteaks" [1] and "The Oracle". [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 72/100 [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Exclaim! 7/10 [5]
HipHopDX 4/5 [6]
RapReviews8/10 [7]
XXL 3/5 [8]

God of the Serengeti was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 72, based on seven reviews. [3]

AllMusic's David Jeffries praised the work with words: "plenty of hot air pushes it forward, while cold steel keeps it on the ground, just like the kinetic, magnetic Paz". [4] William Ketchum III of HipHopDX found "his sophomore solo set, God of the Serengeti, sticks to the script, and that's not a bad thing". [6] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews.com resumed: "he's an unusual flavor, but one that should still be considered a delicacy--even if it just might be bad for you". [7] Thomas Quinlan of Exclaim! considered that the album "should impress fans and may even bring back some of those who miss the Psycho-Social days". [5]

In his mixed review for XXL , Nick De Molina stated: "while God of the Serengeti doesn't blaze any new ground, it is a release that will hold up to the Paz's legacy on the underground scene and will surely satisfy long-time fans". [8]

DJ Premier ranked the album at No. 12 of his year-end list of top 20 favourite albums of 2012. [9]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the album sold 4,300 units during its first week, [10] charting at number 102 on the Billboard 200 and number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 34 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart and number 19 on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Shadow of the Guillotine" (featuring Q-Unique) DJ Lethal 2:45
2."Slum Chemist"
  • Luvineri
  • Craig Lanciani
C-Lance3:25
3."The Oracle" DJ Premier 3:23
4."And Your Blood Will Blot Out the Sun" (featuring Immortal Technique and Poison Pen)
Tony Kenyatta3:23
5."Last Breath" (featuring Baby Pun and Whispers)
C-Lance3:12
6."Crime Library" (featuring Blaq Poet) Marco Polo 2:58
7."Feign Submission" (Interlude)
  • Luvineri
  • J. Ibarra
JBL the Titan2:16
8."Duel to the Death" (featuring Mobb Deep)
Stu Bangas3:51
9."Problem Solver" (featuring Scarface)
The Arcitype4:05
10."Battle Hymn" (featuring Apathy, King Syze, Crypt the Warchild, Jus Allah, Esoteric, Blacastan, Celph Titled and Planetary) Mr. Green 6:27
11."Geometry of Business" (featuring La Coka Nostra) Havoc 4:12
12."Jake LaMotta"
  • Luvineri
  • William Leigh
  • Cheyenne Fowler
Illinformed3:55
13."7 Fires of Prophecy" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)
Beatnick Dee3:31
14."Cheesesteaks" Psycho Les 3:47
15."Cold, Dark, and Empty" (featuring F.T. and Smoke)
  • Luvineri
  • Winston Morris
  • Smoke
  • Jim Heffernan
Jack of All Trades3:56
16."Razor Gloves" (featuring R.A. the Rugged Man)
MTK3:50
17."Wolves Amongst the Sheep" (featuring Kool G Rap and Block McCloud)
C-Lance3:33
18."You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train"
  • Luvineri
  • Lanciani
  • Ibarra
  • C-Lance
  • JBL the Titan
7:28
Total length:1:09:55
Bonus track
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
19."Kingdom Crusher" (featuring Block McCloud)Paul Nice3:06

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2012)Peak
position
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [11] 34
US Billboard 200 [12] 102
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ( Billboard ) [13] 16

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ill Bill</span> American rapper and record producer

William Braunstein, professionally known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diverse lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records. His brother Ron is rapper and producer Necro.

<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, 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">Tragedy Khadafi</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1971)

Percy Lee Chapman, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, is an American rapper and record producer. Chapman hails from the Queensbridge Housing Projects in Queens, New York City, and helped spawn other hip hop artists such as Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga, Nas. He is documented to be the first to use the phrase "illmatic" in 1988 on a record called "The Rebel", from the Marley Marl album In Control, Volume 1, which was an inspiration and influence on fellow New York rapper Nas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Paz</span> American rapper (born 1977)

Vincenzo Luviner, better known as Vinnie Paz, is an Italian-born 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">Crypt the Warchild</span> American rapper (born 1980)

Marcus Albaladejo, better known by his stage name Crypt the Warchild, is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Albaladejo is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and is a member of Army of the Pharaohs. Crypt the Warchild is the older brother of rapper King Syze, who is also a member of Army of the Pharaohs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Syze</span> American rapper

David Albaladejo is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of the underground hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP), having featured on all their studio albums. He is known for his frequent collaboration with AOTP members; OuterSpace. Outside of rap, Albaladejo works as a member of a trade union which has inspired the names of many of his studio albums.

<i>Blood Brothers</i> (OuterSpace album) 2006 studio album by OuterSpace

Blood Brothers is the second full-length studio album by American hip hop duo OuterSpace. It was released on August 22, 2006 via Babygrande Records. Recording sessions took place at Found Sound Recording in Philadelphia. Production was handled by 7L, Clockwork, DJ Kwestion, DJ Soundtrax, J-Zone, Low Key, Sake, Scott "Supe" Stallone, Team 707 and Vanderslice, with Vinnie Paz serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Vinnie Paz, King Syze, Royce da 5′9″ and Sheek Louch.

La Coka Nostra is an American hip hop supergroup currently composed that of Danny Boy, Slaine, DJ Lethal, and Ill Bill. In 2004, its creation started when Danny Boy brought two young artists, Slaine and Big Left, to meet Dj Lethal his DJ from his former group House of Pain. They decided to make a group, whose name came about when O'Connor teased other members with that nickname after they had a night out. They started releasing music on MySpace, and went viral.

<i>Hip Hop Lives</i> 2007 studio album by KRS-One and Marley Marl

Hip Hop Lives is the collaborative studio album by American rapper KRS-One and record producer Marley Marl. It was released on May 22, 2007 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in New York and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, except for one track produced with 88 Fingers. It features guest appearances from Blaq Poet, Busy Bee Starski and Magic Juan. The album's title is a response to Nas's 2006 album Hip Hop Is Dead.

<i>The Hour of Reprisal</i> 2008 studio album by Ill Bill

The Hour of Reprisal is the second studio album by American rapper and record producer Ill Bill. It was released on September 16, 2008, by Uncle Howie Records and Fat Beats Records. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, Necro, Sicknature, Cynic, Darp Malone, DJ Lethal, DJ Premier, T-Ray, and Ill Bill himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Everlast, B-Real, Darryl Jenifer, HERO, Howard Jones, H.R., Immortal Technique, Max Cavalera, Necro, Raekwon, Slaine, Tech N9ne and Vinnie Paz.

<i>Blood and Ashes</i> 2004 studio album by OuterSpace

Blood and Ashes is the debut full-length studio album by American hip hop duo OuterSpace. It was released on July 27, 2004, via Babygrande Records. Recording sessions took place at Old Dover Studios in Boston and at Fresh Tracks Studio in Philadelphia. Production was handled by 7L, Arythmetic, Beyonder, Celph Titled, DJ Jon Doe, DJ Sat-One, Panik, Shuko, with DJ Tinkerman serving as co-producer. It features guest appearances from Vinnie Paz, 7L & Esoteric, Celph Titled, Des Devious, Immortal Technique, King Syze, Sadat X and El Dorado.

<i>Sabacolypse: A Change Gon Come</i> 2004 studio album by Sabac Red

Sabacolypse: A Change Gon' Come is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sabac Red. It was released on June 15, 2004 via Psycho+Logical-Records. Production was handled entirely by Necro. It features guest appearances from Antwon Lamar Robinson, Cenophia Mitchell, Dash Mihok, Immortal Technique, Jamal Joseph, Mr. Hyde, Necro, Q-Unique, Roosevelt Phillip, Vinnie Paz, and his fellow Non Phixion groupmates.

<i>Heart of a Champion</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Paul Wall

Heart of a Champion is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper Paul Wall. It was released on July 13, 2010 through Swishahouse with distribution via Asylum Records.

<i>Kill Devil Hills</i> (album) 2010 studio album by DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill

DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill: Kill Devil Hills is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles-based record producer DJ Muggs and New York-based rapper Ill Bill. It was released on August 31, 2010, via Fat Beats, serving as Muggs' third album in his "DJ Muggs vs." series. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, except for two track produced by G. Rocka and DJ Khalil. It features guest appearances from B-Real, Sick Jacken, Chace Infinite, Everlast, O.C., Q-Unique, Raekwon, Slaine, Sean Price, Vinnie Paz and Uncle Howie. The album is dedicated to Ill Bill's uncle, Howard Tenebaum, who died five months before the record release. Kill Devil Hills peaked at number 86 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 21 on the Top Rap Albums and number 17 on Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States, and also named one of 'Top 25 Albums of 2010' by HipHopDX.

<i>Honkey Kong</i> (Apathy album) 2011 studio album by Apathy

Honkey Kong is the third solo studio album by American rapper Apathy. It was released on August 23, 2011, via Dirty Version Records. The album was produced by Teddy Roxpin, Vanderslice, Da Beatminerz, DJ Muggs, DJ Premier, DJ Wayne Ski, Evidence, Smoke the World, Statik Selektah, Stu Bangas, and Apathy, who also served as executive producer with Celph Titled. It features guest appearances from Blacastan, Celph Titled, Esoteric, Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson, Brevi, Ill Bill, Mad Lion, Motive, OuterSpace, Reef the Lost Cauze, Slaine, Steele, Tosha Makia, and Xzibit.

<i>Directors of Photography</i> 2014 studio album by Dilated Peoples

Directors of Photography is the fifth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on August 12, 2014, via Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof in Venice with additional recording at The Drug Lab in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Bravo, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Jake One, Oh No and Twiz the Beat Pro. It features guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Catero, Defari, Gangrene, Krondon, Sick Jacken, Vince Staples, with Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, Fashawn, Rapsody and Vinnie Paz appearing on one of the two bonus tracks.

<i>In Death Reborn</i> 2014 studio album by Army of the Pharaohs

In Death Reborn is the fourth studio album by the underground hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs. The album was released on April 22, 2014, via Vinnie Paz's independent record label, Enemy Soil. The album features members Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Blacastan, Block McCloud, Celph Titled, Crypt The Warchild, Demoz, Des Devious, Doap Nixon, Esoteric, King Magnetic, King Syze, Planetary, Reef the Lost Cauze and Zilla, with a guest appearance by Lawrence Arnell. The only member who did not appear on the album was Jus Allah, also affiliated with Jedi Mind Tricks; it was later confirmed that Allah had left both groups.

<i>Masters of the Dark Arts</i> 2012 studio album by La Coka Nostra

Masters of the Dark Arts is the second studio album by American hip hop supergroup La Coka Nostra. It was released on July 31, 2012 via Fat Beats Records. Production was handled by members DJ Lethal and Ill Bill, as well as C-Lance, Sicknature, Beat Butcha, DJ Premier, Jack Of All Trades, Scott "Supe" Stallone and Statik Selektah. It features guest appearances from Vinnie Paz, Sean Price, Sick Jacken, Thirstin Howl III and Big Left.

<i>PA2: The Directors Cut</i> 2013 studio album by Marco Polo

PA2: The Director's Cut is the second solo studio album by Canadian hip hop producer Marco Polo, released on November 12, 2013, via Soulspazm Records. The first installment of the Port Authority series was released in 2007 under Soulspazm and Rawkus. In May 2013, the second installment of the Newport Authority series, Newport Authority 2, was released for free as a prelude to PA2.

<i>Heavy Lies the Crown</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Army of the Pharaohs

Heavy Lies the Crown is the fifth studio album by underground hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs. It had an initial release set for November 2014, but it was confirmed that it would be released a month earlier on October 21, 2014, via Vinnie Paz's independent record label Enemy Soil.

References

  1. "Vinnie Paz "Cheesesteaks" - Official Video". YouTube . June 21, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  2. "Vinnie Paz "The Oracle" - Official Video". YouTube . October 15, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for God of the Serengeti - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "God of the Serengeti - Vinnie Paz | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Quinlan, Thomas (October 23, 2012). "Vinnie Paz | God of the Serengeti". Exclaim! . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Ketchum III, William (November 7, 2012). "Vinnie Paz - God Of the Serengeti". HipHopDX . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Juon, Steve 'Flash' (December 4, 2012). "Vinnie Paz :: God of the Serengeti – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  8. 1 2 De Molina, Nick (October 24, 2012). "Vinnie Paz, God of the Serengeti - XXL". XXL . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  9. Horowitz, Steven (January 8, 2013). "DJ Premier Names His Top 20 Albums Of 2012". HipHopDX . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. Paine, Jake (October 31, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/28/2012". HipHopDX . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  11. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  12. "The Billboard 200". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 10, 2012. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  13. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 10, 2012. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved March 4, 2024.