The Beatnuts: Street Level

Last updated
The Beatnuts
The Beatnuts - Street Level album cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 21, 1994 (1994-06-21)
RecordedMay 1993 - March 1994
Studio
Genre Hip hop
Length58:21
Label
Producer
The Beatnuts chronology
Intoxicated Demons: The EP
(1993)
The Beatnuts
(1994)
Stone Crazy
(1997)
Singles from The Beatnuts
  1. "Props Over Here"
    Released: 1994
  2. "Hit Me with That"
    Released: 1994
  3. "Hellraiser"
    Released: 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Entertainment Weekly B [2]
RapReviews8/10 [3]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg

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. [5] 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.

Contents

The album's title is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Street Level, because those words appear on the album cover; however, the words "Street Level" do not appear anywhere else on the CD (in the liner notes or on the CD spine label). The song "Psycho Dwarf" previously appeared on the 1993 Intoxicated Demons: The EP . It is the last Beatnuts album to include Fashion, who left the group to pursue a solo career under the alias Al' Tariq.

In 2012, the album was listed at No. 23 on Complex magazine's 'The 50 Greatest Debut Albums in Hip-Hop History'. [6] In 2014, the album was placed at No. 19 on the Vibe magazine's 'The 50 Best Rap Albums Of 1994' list. [7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."Intro"Jerry Tineo The Beatnuts 1:47
2."Ya Don't Stop"
Lucien 3:06
3."Props Over Here"
  • Smalls
  • Fernandez
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts3:59
4."Hellraiser"
  • Smalls
  • Fernandez
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts3:10
5."Are You Ready" (featuring Grand Puba)
V.I.C.3:14
6."Superbad"
  • Fernandez
  • Smalls
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts3:57
7."Straight Jacket"
The Beatnuts3:57
8."Let Off a Couple"
  • Smalls
  • Fernandez
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts1:43
9."Rik's Joint" (featuring Miss Jones)
  • Smalls
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts4:01
10."Fried Chicken"
  • Fernandez
  • Smalls
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts3:57
11."Yeah You Get Props"
  • Smalls
  • Tineo
  • Fernandez
The Beatnuts3:29
12."Get Funky"
The Beatnuts3:37
13."Hit Me with That"
  • Tineo
  • Smalls
  • Fernandez
The Beatnuts3:36
14."2-3 Break" (featuring Gab Gotcha)
  • Fernandez
  • Smalls
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts3:17
15."Lick the Pussy"
The Beatnuts4:18
16."Sandwiches"
  • Fernandez
  • Padilla
The Beatnuts1:33
17."Psycho Dwarf"
  • Fernandez
  • Tineo
The Beatnuts5:25
Total length:58:21

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [8] 182
US Top R&B Albums ( Billboard )28

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beatnuts</span> American hip hop group

The Beatnuts are 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.

<i>My Way</i> (Usher album) 1997 studio album by Usher

My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all multi platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".

<i>Quality</i> (Talib Kweli album) 2002 studio album by Talib Kweli

Quality is the debut studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.

<i>A Long Hot Summer</i> 2004 studio album by Masta Ace

A Long Hot Summer is the third solo and fifth overall studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on August 3, 2004 via M3 Macmil Music. Production was handled by Dams & Sla, Dug Infinite, Xplicit, 9th Wonder, DJ Serious, DJ Spinna, DR Period, Marco Polo, Khrysis, Koolade, and Ace himself. It features guest appearances from eMC, Leschea, Apocalypse, Big Noyd, Ed O.G., Jean Grae, Mr. Lee G, The Beatnuts and Rahzel.

<i>Behind Bars</i> (Slick Rick album) 1994 studio album by Slick Rick

Behind Bars is the third studio album by the British-American rapper Slick Rick, released in 1994 on Def Jam Recordings.

<i>From Where???</i> 1996 studio album by Mad Skillz

From Where??? is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist Mad Skillz. It was released on February 13, 1996, via Big Beat/Atlantic Records. Production was handled by Buckwild, Shawn J. Period, J Dilla, DJ Clark Kent, EZ Elpee, Large Professor, Nick Wiz, The Beatnuts, and Skillz himself, with Rob "Reef" Tewlow serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Kalonji The Immortal, Dr. Mindbenda, Javon The Medieval, Large Professor, Lil' Roc, Lonnie B and Q-Tip. The album peaked at number 154 on the Billboard 200, number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.

<i>Reel to Reel</i> 1992 studio album by Grand Puba

Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992, through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal and at The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled primarily by Grand Puba, along with Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri and The Brand New Heavies.

<i>2000</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Grand Puba

2000 is the second solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on June 20, 1995, through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios, Platinum Island Studios, Battery Studios, V. Dubbs Studios, Acme Recording Studios, Fiber Studios, and Chung King Studios in New York. Production was handled by Mark Sparks, Minnesota, DJ Alamo, Chris Liggio and Dante Ross. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200 and at number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

<i>Nervous Breakdown</i> (Fu-Schnickens album) 1994 studio album by Fu-Schnickens

Nervous Breakdown is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group Fu-Schnickens. It was released October 25, 1994, via Jive Records. Production was handled by Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick, Diamond D, K-Cut, Jim Nice and Lyvio G. The album peaked at number eighty-one on the Billboard 200 chart.

<i>The Boatlift</i> 2007 studio album by Pitbull

The Boatlift is the third studio album by Cuban-American rapper Pitbull. It was released on November 27, 2007 through TVT, Poe Boy and Bad Boy Latino. The album features production by Lil Jon, Mr. Collipark, Nitti, Diaz Brothers and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs who served as executive producer with Pitbull. It also features guest appearances by Trick Daddy, Lil Jon, Twista, Jim Jones, Jason Derulo and Don Omar among others.

<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>A Musical Massacre</i> 1999 studio album by The Beatnuts

A Musical Massacre is the third studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released in August 1999 via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Soho Music Studios and Planet Sound Studios in New York. Produced entirely by the Beatnuts, it features guest appearances from E-Swinga, Nogoodus, Biz Markie, Carl Thomas, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Common, Cuban Link, dead prez, Greg Nice, Magic Juan, Marlon Manson, Patrick Blazy, Tony Touch, Triple Seis, Tyler Fernandez and Willie Stubz. The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It contains two singles: "Watch Out Now", which peaked at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Se Acabo".

<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.

<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.

<i>Ruthless by Law</i> 1994 studio album by RBL Posse

Ruthless by Law is the second studio album by American hip hop group RBL Posse. It was released on November 15, 1994 via In-A-Minute Records. Recording sessions took place at Bayview Productions in Richmond, California. Production was handled by Cellski, The Enhancer, and RBL Posse, with Tony Jackson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Cellski and Herm. The album peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200, number 23 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number three on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.

<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.

References

  1. Valdivia, Victor W. "The Beatnuts - Street Level Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. Ehrlich, Dimitri (July 29, 1994). "The Beatnuts". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  3. Jost, Matt (December 20, 2005). "The Beatnuts :: The Beatnuts – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2005. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  4. Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (May 25, 2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. pp. 54–55. ISBN   9780743201698 . Retrieved March 10, 2023 via Google Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. Hess, Mickey (November 25, 2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   9780313343216 via Google Books.
  6. "The 50 Greatest Debut Albums in Hip-Hop History". Complex . November 27, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  7. Weinstein, Max (September 17, 2014). "'94 Week: The 50 Best Rap Albums Of 1994". VIBE . Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  8. "Billboard 200 Chart: Week of July 9, 1994". Billboard . Retrieved March 10, 2023.