The Beatnuts

Last updated

The Beatnuts
Beatnuts-03.jpg
The Beatnuts in Hamburg, Germany in 2000
Background information
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Years active1989–2009, 2016 [1]
Labels Combat, Relativity, Violator, Loud, Landspeed, Penalty
MembersJuJu
Psycho Les
Past membersFashion (later Al' Tariq)
V.I.C.

The Beatnuts is an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu (born Jerry Tineo on December 14, [2] 1968) is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les (born Lester Fernandez on April 10, [3] 1970) 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 (born Berntony Smalls on January 13, 1970), now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. (Groove Merchantz, Ghetto Pros) was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.

Contents

History

Origins

JuJu and Psycho Les grew up in different communities in Queens, New York City. Psycho Les started producing beats and DJing at age 15 under aliases including DJ Les Jams and DJ Incredible. At a high school in Flushing, Queens, a friend DJ Loco Moe introduced Les to fellow producer JuJu. While crate digging, both Beatnuts ran into Afrika Baby Bam from the Jungle Brothers. Afrika introduced them to Native Tongues members including De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers. At this time, JuJu and Psycho Les were DJing parties under the alias Beat Kings. The Jungle Brothers claimed that they were not kings, but rather two nuts for their comical nature and the fact that they were crazy enough to carry hundreds of records to every show they played. They thus changed their name and "it stuck." [4] Rapper Kool Fashion later got together with the two Beatnuts members.

Early production work

The Beatnuts entered the recording industry in 1990 producing two tracks for the British alternative hip hop/electronica group Stereo MCs as well as a song for British rapper Monie Love. Over the next two years, they produced songs for rappers including Common, Pete Nice & DJ Richie Rich and Kurious, as well as a full album for Chi-Ali. As of 1992, JuJu had not appeared on a record, but fellow Beatnuts rappers Fashion and Psycho Les appeared on tracks that he produced. In 1993, The Beatnuts produced more songs for the artists they had previously collaborated with as well as Fat Joe, Suprême NTM and Da Youngsta's. At the same time, The Beatnuts made their name as remix specialists by remixing songs for MC Lyte, Da Lench Mob, Naughty by Nature, Jomanda and others.

Debut albums

The Beatnuts' early production work earned them a record deal with Combat Records in 1992. The Beatnuts planned on releasing a "mini-LP" through that label, but its release was delayed when Kool Fashion was sentenced to six months of jail for drug convictions. [5] After Fashion completed his sentence, The Beatnuts left Combat Records and signed deals with Violator Management and Relativity Records. In April 1993, The Beatnuts released their debut album, Intoxicated Demons: The EP , through their new label. It featured 11 songs, including the two singles "Reign of the Tec" and "No Equal". The album was characterized by its hedonistic party-style lyrics and sample-heavy jazz beats. It was a critical success receiving favorable reviews by Allmusic, The Source and Entertainment Weekly . [6] [7]

Intoxicated Demons was followed in 1994 with the eponymous full-length album The Beatnuts: Street Level . Street Level followed its preceding EP in style, but slightly surpassed its commercial success by charting on the Billboard 200. It featured two singles, "Props Over Here" and "Hit Me with That", neither of which were commercial hits. Street Level was the last Beatnuts album released before Fashion left the group to become a devout Muslim and solo artist under the alias Al' Tariq. He left The Beatnuts on good terms and collaborated with his former group on future albums.

Commercial breakthroughs

The Beatnuts did not follow up their 1994 album until releasing Stone Crazy in 1997. Although it contained "Off the Books", a single that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured a standout performance by Big Pun, the album was not a critical success. Leo Stanley of Allmusic attributed its mediocre reception to its lack of energy—not its "jazz-inflected rhythms and hardcore rhyming". [8] Chris Ryan of Rolling Stone conceded that the album was still "something of a breakthrough" for The Beatnuts in spite of itself. [9] Two weeks after the release of Stone Crazy, The Beatnuts released Hydra Beats, Vol. 5 , a small-scale instrumental album. Vol. 5 was one album in a series of vinyl instrumental albums released by underground label Hydra Entertainment.

1998 saw the release of The Spot , a remix EP that revamped songs from the first three non-instrumental Beatnuts albums. It additionally featured sequels to older Beatnuts tracks and one new song, "Treat$". It was released in anticipation of 1999's A Musical Massacre , The Beatnuts' most commercially and critically successful album. A Musical Massacre reached #35 on the Billboard 200 due to its hit single "Watch Out Now". The album is hailed for its "eclectic" and "textured" beats as well as its "rough, rugged, and raunchy" lyrics with slightly more content variation than past releases. [10]

After Sony released The Beatnuts's first hits compilation, 1999's World Famous Classics , The Beatnuts did not record another album until 2001's Take It or Squeeze It . Their 2001 album contained two slightly popular singles, "No Escapin' This" and "Let's Git Doe", but was unable to match the commercial or critical success of A Musical Massacre. Reviews by both Allmusic and Rolling Stone claimed that Take It or Squeeze It had a mix of inventive production and clichéd gangster rhymes. [11] [12]

Return to underground

The Beatnuts' official logo. It is inspired by a similar symbol on the cover art of Hank Mobley's The Turnaround. BeatnutsLogo.jpg
The Beatnuts' official logo. It is inspired by a similar symbol on the cover art of Hank Mobley's The Turnaround.

In November 2001, it was announced that Loud Records —whose father label Relativity Records had released all Beatnuts albums since their 1993 debut—had cut ties with The Beatnuts. The decision was followed by the release of two greatest hits: 2001's Beatnuts Forever and 2002's Classic Nuts, Vol. 1 . While The Beatnuts were free agents, a rumor surfaced that JuJu and Psycho Les were going to collaborate with Al' Tariq under the group alias 'Intoxicated Demons'. [14] The Beatnuts did not reunite with Al Tariq, but instead signed with the underground label LandSpeed Records. In 2002, they released The Originators , a commercial failure that did not reach the Billboard 200 or contain charting singles. The album was still a critical success because of its catchy hooks and creative beats. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com remarked on the correlation between The Beatnuts' critical and commercial success:

If they are less known and don't sell as well being on an indie imprint like LandSpeed Records, it will still be worth it if the increased quality of their beats and rhymes remain this high. [15]

Instead of remaining on LandSpeed Records, The Beatnuts signed to Penalty Recordings before releasing their 2004 album Milk Me . Although Penalty was also an underground label, Milk Me was still able to scrape the bottom of the Billboard 200. The album was almost unanimously held to be solid. Nonetheless, three singles and an Akon guest appearance did not propel the album to the commercial success of prior Beatnuts albums.

"Watch Out Now" controversy

Milk Me contained the song "Confused Rappers", a track that dissed Jennifer Lopez for allegedly stealing the beat from The Beatnuts' "Watch Out Now" on her 2002 hit "Jenny from the Block". The song criticizes Lopez's singing ability and looks, but ultimately criticizes the track's producers, Trackmasters and Cory Rooney, for allegedly stealing the beat. [16] Although The Beatnuts did eventually receive royalties,[ citation needed ] Psycho Les is still critical of the track's producers. The beats on both "Watch Out Now" and "Jenny from the Block" sample the Enoch Light cover of "Hi-Jack" by Fernando Arbex of the Spanish group Barrabás. Barrabás created the original drum and bass lines, with the flute transposition of the melodic loop (the famous sample in the Beatnuts and Jennifer Lopez tracks) introduced in the Herbie Mann and Enoch Light covers.

Recent endeavors

In March 2007, Psycho Les released his debut solo album Psycho Therapy (The Soundtrack) on Pit Fight Records. Psycho Les additionally joined with Al Tariq and Problemz to form the group Big City. In June, they released The City Never Sleeps on Nature Sounds.

Later that year, The Beatnuts had a track included on the Official Joints mixtape, a collection of previously unreleased songs by NYC rappers.

In December, JuJu was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden for an alleged assault. He was detained for 36 hours for a "minor assault" after performing a concert. [17]

On September 30, 2008, Pit Fight Records released U.F.O. Files, a compilation of previously unreleased Beatnuts songs.

July 24, 2009, The Beatnuts performed with Slick Rick and Rahzel at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. Presented by Global Market Productions the show included all elements of hip hop: beat boxing, break dancing, DJing, MC battles and graffiti art.

In October 2009, Deez Nuts, a semi-autobiographical theatre production conceived by Sacha Jenkins and starring The Beatnuts ran for 3 nights at the Ohio Theatre as part of the New York Hip-Hop Theater Festival.

The Beatnuts partnered with the West Coast Hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks in 2016 to make a super crew known as the Liknuts which toured together.

Both JuJu and Psycho Les contributed beats for Tony Touch's The Piece Maker 3: Return of the 50 MC's, [18]

Style

The Beatnuts are known for their sample-heavy beats and explicit party-ready lyrics. In early records, the beats had a jazz and funk-influenced sound, but later songs were influenced by Latin music. Critics have commented that The Beatnuts have consistently good beats, but lack in terms of lyrics. JuJu addressed this in a 2004 interview:

We are all about the beat, that's our formula when we produce shit, the beats gotta be hot, it's gotta grab you. 'Cause I'll be the first nigga to say that we're not the best MCs in the world. It kills me to hear these nice MCs rhyming over fucking garbage. [19]

Their production is noted as some of the most accomplished, if unheralded, in all of hip hop, often intricately detailed (as in their finely honed work for Mos Def on two tracks from Black on Both Sides ) but more regularly barnstorming, club-friendly, flourish-laden party music.[ citation needed ]

The Beatnuts are noted for being unabashedly, bullishly ribald and in-your-face performers.[ citation needed ] Recent Beatnuts albums are characterized by more Latin influences.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Related Research Articles

<i>The Beatnuts: Street Level</i> 1994 studio album by The Beatnuts

The Beatnuts is the self-titled full-length debut album by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released on June 21, 1994, via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at LGK Studios in Leonia, New Jersey, at Soundtrack Studios and Greene St. Recording in New York. Production was handled by the Beatnuts, except for one song produced by Lucien. It features guest appearances from Gab Gotcha of Triflicts, Grand Puba and Miss Jones. The album reached number 182 on the Billboard 200 and number 28 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums in the United States. It boasts two singles: "Props Over Here", which peaked at number 39 on the US Hot Rap Singles, and "Hit Me with That". Music video for "Props Over Here" was directed by Abraham Lincoln Lim.

<i>Intoxicated Demons: The EP</i> 1993 EP by The Beatnuts

Intoxicated Demons: The EP is the debut extended play by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released in April 1993 via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Variety Recording Studio in New York and at LGK Studios in New Jersey. It features one guest vocalist, V.I.C., on the track "World's Famous". Two singles, "Reign of the Tec" and "No Equal", were released in promotion of the album. The album was received positively for its diverse beats and comedic lyrics. Its cover art was inspired by the cover of Hank Mobley's The Turnaround!.

<i>Stone Crazy</i> 1997 studio album by The Beatnuts

Stone Crazy is the second studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on June 24, 1997, via Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Worldwide Studios. Produced solely by the Beatnuts, it features guest appearances from Big Pun, Blaq Poet, Cuban Link, Don Gobbi, Gab Gotcha, Horny Man and Hostyle. Member Fashion left the group to pursue a solo career and is not featured on the album.

<i>Take It or Squeeze It</i> 2001 studio album by The Beatnuts

Take It or Squeeze It is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on March 20, 2001 via Loud Records and Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Planet Sound Studios and Chung King Studios in New York. Produced by the Beatnuts, it features guest appearances from Marley Metal, Black Attack, Bloody Moon, Fatman Scoop, Greg Nice, Miss Loca, Problemz, Tony Touch, Triple Seis, Willie Stubz, Method Man, and former member Al' Tariq.

<i>The Originators</i> (album) 2002 studio album by The Beatnuts

The Originators is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on July 23, 2002, via Landspeed Records. Recording sessions took place at Soho Studios and The Big Fat Suite in New York. Production was handled entirely by the Beatnuts, except for one song, "Originate", which was produced by member JuJu and Large Professor. It features guest appearances from Problemz, Amaretta, Chris Chandler, Cormega, El Gant, Ill Bill, Large Professor, Marley Metal, Tony Touch, Triple Seis and former member Al' Tariq.

<i>Milk Me</i> 2004 studio album by The Beatnuts

Milk Me is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on August 31, 2004 via Penalty Recordings/Rykodisc. Recording sessions took place at The Cutting Room in New York. Produced entirely by the Beatnuts, it featured guest appearances from Chris Chandler, Gab Goblin, A.G., Akon, Colion, Freeway, Greg Nice, Milano, Prince Whipper Whip, Rahzel, Tony Touch and Triple Seis.

<i>Remix EP: The Spot</i> 1998 EP by The Beatnuts

The Spot is the second extended play and only remix EP by American hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released on February 10, 1998, via Relativity/Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios in New York. Produced by the Beatnuts, it is composed mainly of remixes: it also has three sequel songs and one new recording, "Treat$". The sequels features new vocals over the original beats while the remixes contains the original vocals set to new music. The source of its remixes are songs from prior Beatnuts albums Intoxicated Demons: The EP, The Beatnuts: Street Level and Stone Crazy. It features guest appearances from A.L., Nogoodus and Rawcoticks.

<i>Classic Nuts, Vol. 1</i> 2002 greatest hits album by The Beatnuts

Classic Nuts, Vol. 1 is the last of three greatest hits albums by hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Loud Records during its merger with Relativity on February 19, 2002. Released prior to The Originators, another 2002 Beatnuts album, it only contains songs from The Beatnuts' first four full-length albums and Intoxicated Demons: The EP. It additionally features two exclusive songs, "We Got the Funk" and "However Whenever ". The album failed to chart, but received a positive review from Allmusic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reign of the Tec</span> 1993 single by The Beatnuts

"Reign of the Tec" is the debut single by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records on March 23, 1993, before being placed on The Beatnuts' debut EP Intoxicated Demons: The EP. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. It contains a beat that samples a guitar riff from "Wicked World" by metal band Black Sabbath. The song and its accompanying music video directed by David Perez Shadi are cited as "getting The Beatnuts noticed". DJ Fatboy of RapReviews.com lists its notable aspects: an"infectious chorus," a vocal sample from Brand Nubian's "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down (Remix)," and humorous lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Equal</span> 1993 single by The Beatnuts

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Props Over Here</span> 1994 single by The Beatnuts

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off the Books</span> 1997 single by The Beatnuts featuring Big Punisher & Cuban Link

"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts.

"Here's a Drink" is the fourth and final single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released as a single by independent label Dixie Cup Records in 1997 and remains rare. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les. The track samples "1nce Again" by A Tribe Called Quest. The song failed to chart or receive positive critical attention: Tom Doggett of RapReviews.com blames this on its "unconventional sample" and awkward staggered drums. It is nonetheless featured on The Beatnuts' 1999 hits compilation World Famous Classics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watch Out Now</span> 1999 single by 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Escapin' This</span> 2001 single by The Beatnuts

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ya Betta Believe It</span> 2003 single by The Beatnuts

"Ya Betta Believe It" is the third and final single from The Originators, a 2002 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Landspeed Records as a 12 inch with "U Crazy" as its United States b-side and "Bring the Funk Back" as its United Kingdom b-side. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, as well as a chorus sung by Chris Chandler. The song's lyrics tell of The Beatnuts' rise to becoming a well-respected group. The song's beat is characterized by a slow funk loop sampled from "Family" by Hubert Laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot (Beatnuts song)</span> 2004 single by The Beatnuts

"Hot" is the first single from Milk Me, a 2004 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Penalty Recordings as a 12 inch and CD single without any b-sides or additional tracks. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, as well as ad libs sung by Greg Nice. The song's lyrics are braggadocios, hard-hitting and aggressive. The song's beat is characterized by a fast pounding horn loop and matching drums sampled from "Rock Box" by Run-D.M.C. The song also features live instrumentation provided by guitarist Eric Krasno and keyboardist Neal Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Find Us</span> 2004 single by The Beatnuts featuring Akon

"Find Us" is a song by East Coast hip hop group the Beatnuts. It was released as the second single from the album Milk Me as a CD single and 12-inch with "Hot" as its U.S. B-side and "It's Nothing" as its UK B-side. The song was produced by the Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, as well as a chorus sung by Akon. The song's lyrics are both braggadocios and sexually explicit. Its beat is characterized by a stomp-and-clap percussion, as well as an intermittent whistling noise. The song also features live instrumentation provided by guitarist Eric Krasno and keyboardist Neal Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Nothing</span> 2004 single by The Beatnuts featuring A.G. & Goblin

"It's Nothing" is the third and final single from Milk Me, a 2004 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Penalty Recordings as a 12 inch with "Confused Rappers" as its b-side. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features rapped verses by Juju, Psycho Les and guest rapper A.G., as well as a chorus performed by Gab Goblin. The song is lyrically composed of braggadocios metaphors and punchlines. The song's beat is characterized by a flute sample and quick drums giving it a "futuristic funk" sound. The song also features live instrumentation provided by keyboardist Neal Evans.

The Beatnuts are a hip hop group and production team from Queens, New York. Its two current members, Psycho Les and Juju, have been involved in every Beatnuts album, while Al' Tariq left the Beatnuts after their eponymous 1994 release. The Beatnuts have released six full-length studio albums, two extended plays, one instrumental album, three compilation albums and 21 singles. They have also been featured on other artists' songs as both vocalists and producers. The Beatnuts self-produce all of their songs.

References

  1. ↑ The Beatnuts Biography AllMusic
  2. ↑ @_AlexEstevez (December 14, 2017). "Happy Birthday 🎈To My Dominican Dad @therealbeatnuts Thank You For Changing My Life in 1999 w/…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ↑ @HHBITD (April 10, 2021). "Happy 51st birthday to @psycho_les from the @The_Beatnuts #hiphop" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ "Features - The Beatnuts: Still 7:30". AllHipHop.com. November 27, 2002. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
  5. ↑ Allmusic. All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap & Hip-Hop, Backbeat Books (2003). ISBN   0-87930-759-5.
  6. ↑ "Intoxicated Demons: The EP Review". Allmusic . Retrieved May 26, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Intoxicated Demons: The EP Summary". CDUniverse.com. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Stone Crazy Review". Allmusic . Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  9. ↑ "The Beatnuts: Biography". Rolling Stone . 2004. Archived from the original on November 10, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  10. ↑ "A Musical Massacre Review". Allmusic . Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  11. ↑ " Take It or Squeeze It Review". Allmusic . Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Take It or Squeeze It Review". Rolling Stone . April 16, 2001. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  13. ↑ Emery, Andrew. The Book of Hip Hop Cover Art, Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. (2004). ISBN   1-84000-919-5.
  14. ↑ "News: The Beatnuts Dropped From Loud". AllHipHop.com. November 7, 2001. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  15. ↑ "The Originators Review". RapReviews.com. January 5, 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Milk Me Review". AllHipHop.com. September 1, 2004. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2008.
  17. ↑ "American hip hop star arrested in Stockholm". The Local . December 14, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Tony Touch - The Piece Maker Volume 3: Return of The 50 MC's". Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Features - The Beatnuts: Back". AllHipHop.com. July 14, 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
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.