Swass

Last updated
Swass
Swass.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 1, 1988 [1]
Studio Lawson, Seattle, Washington
Genre
Label
Producer Sir Mix-a-Lot
Sir Mix-a-Lot chronology
Swass
(1988)
Seminar
(1989)
Singles from Swass
  1. "Posse on Broadway"
    Released: 1988
  2. "Rippn'"
    Released: 1988
  3. "Iron Man"
    Released: 1989
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Swass is the debut studio album by Sir Mix-a-Lot. [4] It was released in 1988 on Nastymix and re-released on CD by Def American Recordings. The album featured the singles "Posse on Broadway", "Square Dance Rap", "Iron Man" (a rap metal version of the Black Sabbath song featuring the band Metal Church) and "Rippn'". In 1990, the album received a platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Contents

According to Sir Mix-a-Lot, the word "swass" originally was an inside joke with no meaning in itself. After the album's release, the word came to mean "Some Wild Ass Silly Shit". [5]

The hook of the song "Swass" is reprised in "Don't Cha" by Busta Rhymes and CeeLo Green, becoming a world hit recorded by the Pussycat Dolls. [6]

Track listing

The 1988 vinyl and CD issues on Nastymix Records contained the same track listing. The 1991 CD reissue on Def American Records added two bonus tracks, "Attack on the Stars" and "F the BS".

All tracks are written by Sir Mix-A-Lot, except where noted

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Buttermilk Biscuits (Keep on Square Dancin')"3:32
2."Posse on Broadway"5:01
3."Gold"4:59
4."Swass"4:38
5."Rippn'" (with Kid Sensation)3:54
6."Mall Dropper"0:10
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Hip Hop Soldier" 5:35
8."Iron Man" (featuring Metal Church)Sir Mix-A-Lot, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward 4:10
9."Bremelo" 4:10
10."Square Dance Rap" 4:16
11."Romantic Interlude" 4:00
Total length:44:55
1991 compact disc
No.TitleLength
1."Buttermilk Biscuits (Keep on Square Dancin')"3:32
2."Posse on Broadway"5:04
3."Gold"4:55
4."Swass"3:54
5."Rippn'" (with Kid Sensation)3:54
6."Attack on the Stars"4:25
7."Mall Dropper"0:09
8."Hip Hop Soldier"5:21
9."Iron Man" (featuring Metal Church)4:14
10."Bremelo"4:04
11."Square Dance Rap"4:18
12."Romantic Interlude"4:36
13."F the BS"4:42
Total length:54:03

Personnel

Samples

Posse on Broadway

Gold

Rippin'

Square Dance Rap

F the BS

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [7] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Mix-a-Lot</span> American rapper (born 1963)

Anthony L. Ray, better known by his stage name Sir Mix-a-Lot or his CB handle Prime Minista, is an American rapper. He is best known for his 1992 hit song "Baby Got Back", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Recordings (record label)</span> American record label

American Recordings is an American record label headed by producer Rick Rubin. The label has featured artists such as Slayer, the Black Crowes, ZZ Top, Danzig, Trouble, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, The Mother Hips, and System of a Down.

Geto Boys was an American hip hop group originally formed in Houston, Texas. They saw commercial success in the 1990s with the lineup consisting of Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D. The group became best known for their 1991 single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me", which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Formed in 1986, the group was active until the 2019 death of Bushwick Bill.

<i>Straight Outta Compton</i> 1988 studio album by N.W.A

Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on January 25, 1989, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper and unofficial member The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."

<i>Bigger and Deffer</i> 1987 studio album by LL Cool J

Bigger and Deffer is the second studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, released on May 29, 1987, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. With over two million copies sold in the United States, it remains one of LL Cool J's best-selling releases. Bigger and Deffer dominated the summer of 1987, spending 11 weeks atop the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and peaking at number three on the Billboard 200. It became the fourth hip hop album to receive platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Rubin</span> American record producer (born 1963)

Frederick Jay Rubin is an American record producer. He is a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records.

<i>N.W.A. and the Posse</i> 1987 compilation album by N.W.A

N.W.A. and the Posse is a compilation album, re-releasing N.W.A and associated groups' underground rap songs from the Los Angeles area's rap scene on November 6, 1987. It is regarded as American rap group N.W.A's first but neglected album; N.W.A's authorized debut studio album, rather, is Straight Outta Compton, released in August 1988. Whereas the Straight album was certified platinum, one million copies sold in July 1989, the Posse album was certified gold, half as many copies sold, in April 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Got Back</span> 1992 single by Sir Mix-A-Lot

"Baby Got Back" is a song written, co-produced and recorded by American rapper and songwriter Sir Mix-a-Lot. Released in May 1992 by Def American and Reprise as the second single from his third album, Mack Daddy (1992), the song samples the 1986 Detroit techno single "Technicolor" by Channel One. At the time of its original release, the song caused controversy because of its outspoken and blatantly sexual lyrics objectifying women, as well as specific references to the buttocks, which some people found objectionable. The song's accompanying music video was briefly banned by MTV. Mix-a-Lot defended the song as being empowering to curvaceous women who were being shown skinny models as an ideal for beauty.

"Don't Cha" is a song written by Busta Rhymes and CeeLo Green, and produced by the latter. The chorus is a slightly modified interpolation of the chorus line sung by Sir Mix-a-Lot in a song he wrote called "Swass" (1988). The song was originally recorded and published in 2004 by Tori Alamaze, former backing vocalist for the hip hop duo OutKast, and was released as her debut single. After minor success, and dissatisfaction with Universal Records, Alamaze gave up her rights to the song.

<i>Music of the Sun</i> 2005 studio album by Rihanna

Music of the Sun is the debut studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on August 29, 2005, by Def Jam Recordings. Prior to signing with Def Jam, Rihanna was discovered by record producer Evan Rogers in Barbados, who helped Rihanna record demo tapes to send out to several record labels. Jay-Z, the former chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Def Jam, was given Rihanna's demo by Jay Brown, his A&R at Def Jam, and invited her to audition for the label after hearing the song that would become her first single, "Pon de Replay". She auditioned for Jay-Z and L.A. Reid, the former CEO and president of record label group The Island Def Jam Music Group, and was signed on the spot to prevent her from signing with another record label.

<i>Freek Show</i> 2000 studio album by Twiztid

Freek Show is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Twiztid. It was released on October 31, 2000 via Psychopathic Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. Production was handled by Systasyrosis Soundsquad and Shaggy 2 Dope. It features guest appearances from Insane Clown Posse, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa, Three 6 Mafia and Legz Diamond.

<i>Mama Said Knock You Out</i> 1990 studio album by LL Cool J

Mama Said Knock You Out is the fourth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was produced mostly by Marley Marl and recorded at his "House of Hits" home studio in Chestnut Ridge and at Chung King House of Metal in New York City. After the disappointing reception of LL Cool's 1989 album Walking with a Panther, Mama Said Knock You Out was released by Def Jam Recordings on September 14, 1990 to commercial and critical success.

<i>All World: Greatest Hits</i> 1996 greatest hits album by LL Cool J

All World: The Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album by American rapper LL Cool J. The compilation was released on November 5, 1996 via Def Jam Recordings, and cover the artist's career from his 1985 debut album Radio to his 1995 sixth studio album Mr. Smith. Production was handled by Rick Rubin, Marley Marl, L.A. Posse, Rashad Smith, Quincy Jones III, Tone, and LL Cool J himself, with Brian Latture and Steve Ett serving as assistant producers on three out of sixteen tracks. It features guest appearances from Boyz II Men and Total.

<i>Mack Daddy</i> 1992 studio album by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Mack Daddy is the third studio album by Sir Mix-a-Lot. It was released on February 4, 1992, on Def American Recordings. The album is particularly notable for the hit single "Baby Got Back."

<i>Out of Business</i> 1999 studio album by EPMD

Out of Business is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. The album was originally scheduled for a December 1998 release under Def Jam Recordings, but had been delayed numerous times as a result of a merger between Seagram's PolyGram and Universal Music Group's MCA Records, combining Def Jam and Island Records' operations together under the Island Def Jam Music Group. Ultimately, the album was released on July 20, 1999. It is the first official Def Jam album released under the newly-formed Island Def Jam Music Group and the group's last album released under the label as they left the imprint a year later before going inactive for the second time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posse on Broadway</span> 1988 single by Sir Mix-a-Lot

"Posse on Broadway" is a hip hop song first recorded by Sir Mix-a-Lot on his 1988 debut album Swass. He also released a music video.

<i>Seminar</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Seminar is the second album by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot. It was released on October 17, 1989, via Nastymix and was produced entirely by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The album peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America. It spawned three singles: "Beepers", which peaked at #61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #2 on the Hot Rap Songs, "My Hooptie", which peaked at #49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #7 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "I Got Game", which peaked at #86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #20 on the Hot Rap Songs.

Northwest hip hop is hip hop or rap music that originates from the Pacific Northwest of North America, encompassing major cities such as Portland (Oregon), Seattle (Washington), and other towns. Northwest hip hop music mixes elements from various genres of music to form a sound different from its southern neighbor, West Coast hip hop. For many years the scene existed mainly as an underground genre, but recently Northwest hip-hop has seen more and more mainstream acceptance, with artists such as Macklemore gaining nationwide attention.

Xola Malik (formerly Stephen Spence) (born c. 1971), best known by his stage name Kid Sensation, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Spence made his debut as a guest rapper featured on Sir Mix-A-Lot's album Swass, where he appeared on the track "Rippn'".

<i>Ice Daddy</i> 2021 studio album by Gucci Mane

Ice Daddy is the fifteenth studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released through Atlantic Records and 1017 Records on June 18, 2021. The album features guest appearances from BigWalkDog, Pooh Shiesty, Sir Mix-a-Lot, BIG30, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, Young Dolph, E-40, Project Pat, and Peewee Longway. Production was handled by PabloMCR, WizardMCE, Mike Will Made It, Marzeratti, 30 Roc, Twysted Genius, Shawn Ferrari, iWeirdo, Southside, Richie Souf, Zaytoven, J-Bo, Shoddy, D.A. Got That Dope, SpiffoMadeIt, and Mojo Krazy. The album is named after Ice Davis, the son of Mane and his wife, Jamaican model Keyshia Ka'oir.

References

  1. 1 2 Ducker, Jessie (August 18, 2018). "Sir Mix-A-Lot's Debut Album 'Swass' Turns 30". Albumism. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  2. AllMusic review
  3. Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide . New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. pp.  741. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  4. MacDonald, Patrick (May 19, 1989). "Sir Mix-a-Lot, the Seattle-based rap...". Tempo. The Seattle Times. p. 10.
  5. duBrowa, Corey (June 22, 2009). "Q&A with Sir Mix-a-Lot". Magnet . Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  6. Sherburne, Philip (July 24, 2005). "Don't Cha Blink". The New York Times . Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  7. "American album certifications – Sir Mix-A-Lot – Swass". Recording Industry Association of America.