The Beatnuts is 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.
"What's It Gonna Be?!" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes featuring American singer Janet Jackson. It was released as the fourth and last single from Rhymes' third studio album Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front on March 9, 1999, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The song was written by Rhymes, Antoinette Roberson and its producer Darrell "Delite" Allamby. The song was a commercial and critical success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of various countries. It also hit number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
"Air Force Ones" is a song by American rapper Nelly, from his second album Nellyville. It was released on November 4, 2002, and features fellow St. Lunatics rappers Kyjuan, Ali and Murphy Lee. The song was the third top 5 hit from Nellyville on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 3. Its video, whose exteriors were shot at the SE corner of Delmar and Westgate in University City, Missouri, featured St. Louis professional athletes Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, D'Marco Farr, Ray Lankford, and Ozzie Smith, and hip hop artists Big Tymers and WC.
"Touch It" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes. Released on December 13, 2005, it was the first single from Rhymes' Aftermath/Interscope debut, The Big Bang. The song reached number one in New Zealand, and number six in the United Kingdom. The song features a minimalistic beat provided by Swizz Beatz, and a sample from the song "Technologic" by electronic duo Daft Punk. "Touch It" in turn was incorporated into Daft Punk's live album, Alive 2007.
"Quiet Storm" is the first single from Mobb Deep's fourth album Murda Muzik. The song was originally released on the soundtrack for the film In Too Deep. The song features a sample of the bass line from the classic hip-hop song "White Lines " by Melle Mel. In 2001, the R&B group 112 used an updated version of the "Quiet Storm" beat for their single, "It's Over Now".
"Tambourine" is a hip hop song by American rapper Eve, released as a single in 2007 and becoming Eve's first charting single as a lead performer in over four years. Written by herself, Sean Garrett, and Swizz Beatz, and produced by the latter, the song samples the 1974 song, "Blow Your Whistle" by The Soul Searchers. In the week of April 19, 2007, the song debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it continued to gain momentum.
"Cop That Shit", also known in its censored form as "Cop That Disc", is the lead single taken from hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo's third studio album, Under Construction, Part II. The track features vocals from Missy Elliott. The single was released on September 29, 2003 in Europe, but was not released in the United Kingdom until March 8, 2004. The hip hop track itself refers to people downloading and burning music instead of buying it. All of the tracks' verses are resung verses from classic rap songs, however some of the lyrics are changed. Timbaland's verse is a rewrite of "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim, Missy's verse is a rewrite of Paper Thin by MC Lyte, and Magoo's verse is a rewrite of "I Got It Made" by Special Ed.
"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. 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 self-titled full-length debut 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.
"Find That" is the first single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in 1996 as a promo single and track on the label's compilation album, Relativity Urban Assault. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features braggadocios raps by Juju and Psycho Les. Its eerie, bass-heavy, xylophone-assisted beat is more minimalistic and less sample-reliant than most Beatnuts songs.
"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts.
"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.
"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.
"Buying out the Bar" is the first 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 12 inch with "Originate" as its b-side. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, as well as a chorus performed by Chris Chandler. The song's lyrics are both braggadocios and supportive of hedonistic pleasures. The song's beat is characterized by its repetitive accordion loop.
"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.
"Simple Murder" is a 2003 single by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. Prior to its inclusion on DJ Rhettmatic's album Exclusive Collection, Up Above Records released it as a 12 inch. Its b-side is a remix produced by Key-Kool of The Visionaries. The original version of "Simple Murder" is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. The song's lyrics are both braggadocios and hedonistic as they praise money, "bitches" and drugs in three consecutive lines. The song's beat is characterized by a repetitive funk loop sampled from "It's Not What You Fall For, It's What You Stand For" by Laura Lee.
Back Like That is the second single by American rapper Ghostface Killah from his critically acclaimed fifth solo album Fishscale (2006). It features R&B singer Ne-Yo and peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Ghostface Killah's highest entry on the chart until his 2022 song "Purple Hearts". "Back Like That" contains a sample of "Baby Come Home" as performed by Willie Hutch, as well an interpolation of "Song Cry" as performed by Jay-Z. A remix featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo was later released and included on his sixth album, More Fish. He performed the song with Chrisette Michele at VH1's 6th Annual Hip Hop Honors ceremony.
"Horse & Carriage" is the lead single from Cam'ron's debut album, Confessions of Fire. It was released through Untertainment and Epic Records. The song was produced by Trackmasters and Cam'ron's childhood friend Mase was featured on the song's hook.
"Crew Deep" is a single by American rapper Skillz. The song features guest vocals by rapper–singer Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and former Xscape member Kandi. It was released as the lead single from Skillz's unreleased album, I Ain't Mad No More (2002).
