Return of the Mac

Last updated
Return of the Mac
Return of the Mac1.jpg
Studio album by
Prodigy
ReleasedMarch 27, 2007 (2007-03-27)
Recorded2006–07
Genre Hip hop
Length39:21
Label Koch Records
Producer
Prodigy chronology
H.N.I.C.
(2000)		Return of the Mac
(2007)		 H.N.I.C. Pt. 2
(2008)
Singles from Return of the Mac
  1. "Mac 10 Handle"
    Released: 2006
  2. "Return of the Mac"
    Released: 2007
  3. "Stuck on You"
    Released: 2007

Return of the Mac is the second solo studio album by American rapper Prodigy. It was released on March 27, 2007, through Koch Records. Production was handled entirely by The Alchemist, who produced the project utilizing song samples from the Blaxploitation era, with DJ Muro, who produced two tracks. It features guest appearances from Majesty and Un Pacino.

Contents

The album debuted at number thirty-two on the Billboard 200, selling 27,000 copies in its first week. [1] As of December 2007, the album had sold 130,000 copies. [2] The album spawned three singles—"Mac 10 Handle", "New York Shit" and "Stuck on You", with accompanying music videos directed by DanTheMan.

Background

Soon after the release of the Mobb Deep's seventh studio album Blood Money, Prodigy parted ways with G-Unit Records and began working on a H.N.I.C. sequel. Record producer and circa Murda Muzik days collaborator the Alchemist, who pictured on the album cover alongside Prodigy, took on the project, which was intended to be a prequel mixtape to upcoming H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 . Due to the unexpected level of quality of the resulting record, it was decided to release the effort as a traditional studio album.

Six years after the release of Return of the Mac, Prodigy and the Alchemist released a full-length collaborative album, Albert Einstein .

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Cokemachineglow 67%/100% [5]
HipHopDX 3/5 [6]
Pitchfork 8.5/10 [7]
PopMatters 5/10 [8]
RapReviews8/10 [9]
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [10]
XXL 3/5 (L) [11]

Return of the Mac 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 75, based on eleven reviews. [3]

Tom Breihan of Pitchfork wrote: "what it is is the announcement of a stunning and unexpected late-career renaissance; Prodigy is tapping back into the fearsome frustration that once drove him". [7] AllMusic's David Jeffries resumed: "even if this is familiar ground, an album so tight in theme and feel is refreshing in an era where most lyricists invite anybody and everybody". [4] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews stated that the album "is everything that Blood Money should have been and wasn't". [9] Mark Abraham of Cokemachineglow was "happy to hear Prodigy sounding engaged and excited again, even if the quality of his lyricism doesn't match his newfound enthusiasm". [5] In his mixed review for PopMatters , Quentin B Huff found the album "presents a more refined and progressive Prodigy than the one we heard on Blood Money, but there's no indication that Hell on Earth's Prodigy will be heard from anytime soon". [8]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Mac Is Back"
1:53
2."Return of the Mac" (Aka New York Shit)
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist2:59
3."Stuck on You"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist4:29
4."Mac 10 Handle"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist4:15
5."Down & Out in New York City"
Alchemist0:33
6."The Rotten Apple"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist3:06
7."Madge Speaks" (featuring Majesty) Alchemist1:16
8."Take It to the Top"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
  • Alchemist
  • DJ Muro
3:22
9."P. Speaks" Alchemist1:05
10."7th Heaven" (featuring Un Pacino)
  • Johnson
  • Jamal Brayboy-Brady
  • Maman
Alchemist2:44
11."Bang on 'Em"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist3:39
12."Nickel and a Nail"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist2:57
13."Legends"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist3:58
14."Stop Fronting"
  • Johnson
  • Maman
Alchemist3:06
Total length:39:21
Best Buy bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
15."My Priorities"Alchemist3:24
16."That's That" (featuring Havoc and Alchemist)Alchemist4:01
17."Last Words" (featuring Kokane)Alchemist2:41
Total length:49:27
Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2007)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [12] 32
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [13] 9
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) [14] 5
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [15] 2

Related Research Articles

<i>The Platform</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Dilated Peoples

The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Audio X in Burbank, D&D Studios in New York, Can Am Studios in Tarzana and Threshold Studios in Santa Monica. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, E-Swift, KutMasta Kurt and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, B-Real, Everlast, and Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and Tha Alkaholiks. The album represents a movement of several California underground hip hop artists away from the violence and misogyny of gangsta rap, towards a more traditional, conscious form of rap.

<i>R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece</i> 2004 studio album by Snoop Dogg

R&G : The Masterpiece is the seventh studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 16, 2004, by Doggystyle Records, making its first on Star Trak Entertainment and Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from November 2003 to September 2004 in each of several recording studios. The album's production was handled from The Neptunes, The Alchemist, Lil Jon, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, and L.T. Hutton, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Alchemist (musician)</span> American record producer, DJ and rapper

Alan Daniel Maman, professionally known as the Alchemist, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and songwriter. He began his music career in 1991 in the hip hop duo the Whooliganz under the moniker Mudfoot, along with now-actor Scott Caan. He has produced music since the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prodigy (rapper)</span> American rapper from New York (1974–2017)

Albert Johnson, better known by his stage name Prodigy, was an American rapper. With Havoc, he was one half of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep.

<i>The Peoples Champ</i> 2005 studio album by Paul Wall

The Peoples Champ is the second studio album by American rapper Paul Wall. It was released on September 13, 2005, via Atlantic Records, Asylum Records and Swishahouse. The album debuted and peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 176,000 copies in its first week. This serves as his first number one in two solo studio releases, after Chick Magnet (2004). The album was supported by four singles: "Sittin' Sidewayz" featuring Big Pokey, "They Don't Know", "Girl" and "Drive Slow". Both "Sittin' Sidewayz" and "Girl" are certified gold by the RIAA for selling more than 500,000 copies each in the United States.

<i>Blood in My Eye</i> 2003 studio album by Ja Rule

Blood in My Eye is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule, released on November 4, 2003, by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam Music Group. The album was originally planned to be released as a mixtape. The release took place during the feud with Shady/Aftermath rappers 50 Cent, G-Unit, Eminem, D12, Dr. Dre, Obie Trice, along with artists including DMX and Busta Rhymes and was entirely dedicated to dissing them. The album was named after George Jackson's radical book of the same name. Hussein Fatal of Outlawz, Cadillac Tah, James Gotti, Sizzla, Black Child, Young Merc, D.O. Cannon, Shadow, and Sekou 720 are listed as guest appearances on this album. Reviews for the record were mixed, with critics skeptical of Ja's lyrical skills as a hardcore rapper. Blood in My Eye debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 140,000 copies in the United States.

<i>R.U.L.E.</i> 2004 studio album by Ja Rule

R.U.L.E. is the sixth studio album by American rapper Ja Rule; it was released on November 9, 2004, by The Inc. and Island Def Jam Music Group. The album debuted at number 7 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 165,000 units in its opening week. The album was certified Gold and sold over 658,000 copies in the United States. Singles from the album include "Wonderful" featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti; the top 20 song "New York" featuring Jadakiss and Fat Joe, and the song "Caught Up" featuring Lloyd.

<i>H.N.I.C.</i> (Prodigy album) 2000 studio album by Prodigy of Mobb Deep

H.N.I.C. is the debut solo album by American rapper Prodigy of Mobb Deep. Originally scheduled for a Summer 2000 release, the album was ultimately released on November 14, 2000.

<i>20/20</i> (Dilated Peoples album) 2006 studio album by Dilated Peoples

20/20 is the fourth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on February 21, 2006, through ABB/Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof East in Los Angeles, at Al Gibbs Mobile Studio, Capelton's Room, at Ameraycan Studios in Burbank and at Daddy's Room in Corona. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Sid Roams and Porse. It features guest appearances from Capleton, Defari, Krondon and Talib Kweli. The album debuted at number 97 on the Billboard 200 and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It also made it to number 56 on the Swiss Hitparade.

<i>Only the Strong</i> (Big Noyd album) 2003 studio album by Big Noyd

Only The Strong is the second solo studio album by American rapper Big Noyd. It was released on September 23, 2003 via Landspeed Records. Production was handled by The Alchemist, Havoc, Emile, DJ Sebb, Steve Sola and Noyd Inc. It features guest appearances from Mobb Deep, Chinky, Infamous Mobb, PMD and Shamika Rodriguez.

<i>We the Best</i> 2007 studio album by DJ Khaled

We the Best is the second studio album by Miami-based DJ and Terror Squad member DJ Khaled. It was released on June 12, 2007, by Terror Squad Entertainment, distributed by Koch Records. DJ Khaled alongside fellow rapper Fat Joe and collectively handled as the executive producers on this album. The album was produced by The Runners, Drumma Boy, Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, the Diaz Brothers and Jim Jonsin; as well as the guest appearances from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Trina, Paul Wall and Bun B, among others.

<i>D.O.D.</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Do or Die

D.O.D. is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Do Or Die. It was released on February 1, 2005 via The Legion Records. Recording sessions took place at Pressure Point Studios, The Chocolate Factory, Chicago Recording Company and United Technique Recording in Chicago, at the Record Plant and Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, at The Legendary Traxster, Inc., and at The Sound Villa. Production was handled by The Legendary Traxster, Kanye West, DJ Quik, J. R. Rotem, No I.D., N.O. Joe, R. Kelly, Scott Storch, Toxic, Vudu and Wax Master Maurice, with Rudolph J. Acosta serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Kanye West, Johnny P, Bounty Killer, DJ Quik, Grind, Malik Yusef, Remy Ma, Ric Jilla, R. Kelly, Sasha, Shawnna, Syleena Johnson, the Legendary Traxster and Twista.

<i>H.N.I.C. Pt. 2</i> 2008 studio album by Prodigy

H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 is the second solo album by American rapper Prodigy of Mobb Deep. The album was released on April 22, 2008. It is a sequel to H.N.I.C., released in 2000. The album features production by The Alchemist, Sid Roams, Havoc and Apex. The album features guest appearances from artists that frequently work with Prodigy, including Havoc, Un Pacino, Nyce, Big Noyd, Twin Gambino and Cormega.

<i>Invaders Must Die</i> 2009 studio album by The Prodigy

Invaders Must Die is the fifth studio album by English electronic dance music group The Prodigy. The album was released on 23 February 2009 on the band's new record label Take Me to the Hospital, and was distributed by Cooking Vinyl. Although Liam Howlett, Maxim and Keith Flint all contributed material for The Fat of the Land, Invaders Must Die is the first Prodigy record where, given the departure of Leeroy Thornhill, all band members took part in the creative process. It is their first and currently only album to not contain any explicit songs.

<i>Backstage: Music Inspired by the Film</i> 2000 soundtrack album by DJ Clue?

Backstage: Music Inspired by the Film is the soundtrack to the Chris Fiore's 2000 documentary film Backstage. It was released on August 29, 2000 by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings.

<i>Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang</i> 2011 studio album by Raekwon

Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released March 8, 2011, on Ice H2O and EMI Records. Guests for the album include Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Lloyd Banks, Method Man, Nas, and Rick Ross, among others.

<i>Back Again!</i> (Mr. Cheeks album) 2003 studio album by Mr. Cheeks

Back Again! is the second solo studio album by American rapper Mr. Cheeks. It was released on March 18, 2003 through Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios, Sound On Sound and Daddy's House Recording Studio in New York, at Circle House Studios and South Beach Studios in Miami, and at The Hit Factory. Production was handled by Bink!, Mr. Sexxx, Chuckie Madness, Mario Winans, P. Diddy and Yogi Bear. It features guest appearances from Floetry, Alexander O'Neal, Glenn Lewis, Journalist, Mario Winans, M.O.P., Pete Rock & CL Smooth.

<i>Welcome to: Our House</i> 2012 studio album by Slaughterhouse

Welcome to: Our House is the second and final studio album by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 28, 2012 via Shady Records and Interscope Records. This would also be their only major label album before disbanding on April 26, 2018.

<i>Russian Roulette</i> (The Alchemist album) 2012 studio album by The Alchemist

Russian Roulette is the third solo studio album by American hip hop producer and recording artist The Alchemist. It was released on July 17, 2012, through Decon. Produced entirely by the Alchemist, it features guest appearances from Action Bronson, AG Da Coroner, Big Twins, Boldy James, Chuuwee, Danny Brown, Durag Dynasty, Evidence, Fashawn, Guilty Simpson, MidaZ, Meyhem Lauren, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Roc Marciano, Schoolboy Q and Willie the Kid.

<i>Albert Einstein</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Prodigy and The Alchemist

Albert Einstein is the second and last collaborative studio album by American hip hop recording artist Prodigy of Mobb Deep and American record producer The Alchemist. The album was released on June 11, 2013, by Infamous Records. The album features guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Domo Genesis, The Alchemist, Havoc, Raekwon and Action Bronson.

References

  1. ↑ Hasty, Katie (April 4, 2007). "McGraw Leads Seven Top 10 Debuts Onto Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (December 30, 2007). "The Shrinking Market Is Changing the Face of Hip-Hop". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for Return Of The Mac - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "Prodigy - Return of the Mac Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Abraham, Mark (May 11, 2007). "Cokemachineglow.com : Prodigy: Return of the Mac". Cokemachineglow . Retrieved September 9, 2023– via Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ "Prodigy - Return Of The Mac". HipHopDX . April 4, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Breihan, Tom (April 20, 2007). "Prodigy: Return of the Mac". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Huff, Quentin B (May 28, 2007). "Prodigy: Return of the Mac, PopMatters". PopMatters . Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Juon, Steve 'Flash' (March 27, 2007). "Prodigy :: Return of the Mac :: Koch Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  10. ↑ Ryan, Chris (March 2007). "Reviews: New CDs". Spin . Vol. 23, no. 3. SPIN Media LLC. p. 98. ISSN   0886-3032 . Retrieved September 9, 2023– via Google Books.
  11. ↑ Alarcón, Jesús Triviño (March 2, 2007). "Prodigy Return of the Mac - XXL". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Prodigy Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Prodigy Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Prodigy Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Prodigy Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.