The Most Beautifullest Hits

Last updated
The Most Beautifullest Hits
The Beautifullest Hits.jpg
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedAugust 10, 1999 (1999-08-10)
Genre Hip hop
Length53:03
Label Jive
Producer
Keith Murray chronology
It's A Beautiful Thing
(1999)
The Most Beautifullest Hits
(1999)
He's Keith Murray
(2003)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
RapReviews8/10 [3]

The Most Beautifullest Hits is a greatest hits album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on August 10, 1999 through Jive Records, and consists of 14 previously released songs. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who produced the majority of the songs, Redman, The Ummah and Trackmasters. It features contributions from Def Squad, LL Cool J, 50 Grand, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown, Jeffrey Stewart, Prodigy and Too $hort.

Contents

Background

The 14-track compilation is composed of several songs from Murray's first three solo albums and Def Squad's El Niño , as well as his guest appearances on Erick Sermon's No Pressure , Redman's Dare Iz a Darkside and LL Cool J's Mr. Smith .

In a similar manner to Murray's previous album, It's a Beautiful Thing , the greatest hits compilation was an attempt by Jive Records to capitalize on Murray's success while he was incarcerated - despite Murray's disapproval. [4]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Hostile" (featuring Erick Sermon and Jeffrey Stewart) Erick Sermon 3:37
2."The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World"Erick Sermon3:43
3."Get Lifted"Erick Sermon4:00
4."Incredible" (featuring LL Cool J)
Erick Sermon3:03
5."Cosmic Slop" (performed by Def Squad)
Redman 2:55
6."The Rhyme"
Erick Sermon3:30
7."When I Rap"
Erick Sermon3:21
8."I Shot Ya (Remix)" (featuring LL Cool J, Prodigy, Fat Joe and Foxy Brown)
Trackmasters 5:03
9."Full Cooperation" (performed by Def Squad)
Erick Sermon2:58
10."How's That" (performed by Def Squad)
Erick Sermon3:05
11."Danger"
Erick Sermon3:34
12."Ride Wit Us" (performed by Def Squad featuring Too $hort)
Erick Sermon3:48
13."Dangerous Ground" (featuring 50 Grand)
The Ummah 3:40
14."Def Squad Delite" (performed by Def Squad)
Erick Sermon6:46
Total length:53:03
Notes
Sample credits

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EPMD</span> American hip hop duo from New York

EPMD is an American hip hop duo from Brentwood, New York. The duo's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referring to its members: emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. During an interview on college radio station WHOV in 1987, Parrish Smith stated that the name evolved from the original: "We were originally known as "EEPMD", but chose to go with EPMD because it was easier to say." He also stated that they dropped the two "E's" because N.W.A.'s Eric Wright was already using "Eazy-E" as his stage name. The group has been active for 37 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erick Sermon</span> American rapper and record producer

Erick Sermon is an American rapper and producer. He is best known as one-third—alongside PMD & DJ Scratch—of 1980s/1990s hip hop group EPMD and for his production work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Murray</span> American rapper from New York

Keith Omar Murray is an American rapper from New York. He is best known for being a member of the hip hop group Def Squad, which includes fellow rappers Redman and fellow Long Island native Erick Sermon. The group released their debut album, El Niño in 1998.

<i>Dare Iz a Darkside</i> 1994 studio album by Redman

Dare Iz a Darkside is the second studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on November 22, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. The album debuted at 13 on the US Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World</i> 1994 studio album by Keith Murray

The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released November 8, 1994, via Jive Records. Recording sessions took place at Rockin' Reel Studios in East Northport, New York and at The Music Palace in West Hempstead, New York. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Redman, Rod "KP" Kirkpatrick and Busta Rhymes. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Redman, Hurricane Gee, Jamal and Paul Hightower.

<i>Muddy Waters</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Redman

Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".

<i>Back in Business</i> (EPMD album) 1997 studio album by EPMD

Back in Business is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. It was released on September 16, 1997, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by members Erick Sermon and PMD, as well as DJ Scratch, with Agallah and Rockwilder serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Das EFX, Keith Murray, Nocturnal and Redman.

<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.

<i>Enigma</i> (Keith Murray album) 1996 studio album by Keith Murray

Enigma is the second solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on November 26, 1996, via Jive Records. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Long Island. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Ty Fyffe, The Ummah and Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick. It features guest appearances from 50 Grand, Kel-Vicious, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Dave Hollister, Jamal and Redman. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Its lead single "The Rhyme" made it to number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts.

<i>Its a Beautiful Thing</i> (album) Album by Keith Murray

It's a Beautiful Thing is the third solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on January 12, 1999, via Jive Records, making it his final record for the label. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recording Studios in Dix Hills, New York. Production was handled entirely by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Déjà Vu, Canibus, Erick Sermon, LL Cool J, Redman and Too $hort. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the US. Its single "Incredible" reached number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 36 on the Hot Rap Songs.

<i>El Niño</i> (Def Squad album) 1998 studio album by Def Squad

El Niño is the only studio album by American hip hop group Def Squad, composed of rappers Redman, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray. It was released on June 30, 1998, via Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Dix Hills, New York. Production was handled by Erick Sermon and Redman. It features guest appearances from Biz Markie, Mally G, Too $hort and the Drama Squad.

<i>Double or Nothing</i> (Erick Sermon album) 1995 studio album by Erick Sermon

Double or Nothing is the second solo studio album by the American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on November 7, 1995, via Rush Associated Labels. The production was mainly handled by Sermon, and several tracks were co-produced by Redman, Rockwilder, Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick and Ty Fyffe. The album features contributions from Keith Murray, Redman, Jazze Pha, Passion and Roz. Double or Nothing spawned two singles: "Bomdigi" and "Welcome".

<i>No Pressure</i> (Erick Sermon album) 1993 studio album by Erick Sermon

No Pressure is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on October 19, 1993, via Rush Associated Labels. Production was mainly handled by Sermon, who also served as executive producer. The album features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Joe Sinistr, Kam, Keith Murray, Redman and Shadz of Lingo. The album made it to #16 on the Billboard 200 chart and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

<i>Insomnia</i> (Erick Sermon album) 1996 compilation album by Erick Sermon

Insomnia is a hip-hop compilation album presented by American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on April 23, 1996 via Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image, at the Music Palace, and at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York, and at Chuck Simone Studio. Production was handled primarily by Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Redman, and co-producers Rockwilder and Ty Fyffe. Beside Sermon, it features contributions from fellow artists affiliated with or discovered by him, such as Calif, Domo, Duo, Jamal, Keith Murray, L.O.D., Passion, Redman, The Wixtons, Xross-Breed, and Thomas "Tommy Gunn" Blincoe, who was murdered shortly before the album's release, and to whom this album is dedicated. The album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Funkorama", which peacked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, "It's That Hit" and "I Feel It".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World (song)</span> 1994 single by Keith Murray

"The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World" is a song by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on October 10, 1994 through Jive Records as the lead single from Murray's debut studio album The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World. Written by Murray and Erick Sermon, it was produced by the latter, who also provided background vocals. The song utilizes samples of the 1983 hit record "Between the Sheets" originally performed by The Isley Brothers, "Bootsy Gets Live" by Bootsy Collins and "Slow Down" by Brand Nubian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Lifted (song)</span> 1995 single by Keith Murray

"Get Lifted" is a song by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on January 27, 1995 through Jive Records as the second single off of Murray's debut studio album The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World. Written by Murray and Erick Sermon, it was produced by the latter, who also provided background vocals. The song utilizes a sample of "I Get Lifted" performed by George McCrae and its remixes contain a sample of "Close The Door" performed by Teddy Pendergrass. The single peaked at 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 7 on the Hot Rap Singles in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incredible (Keith Murray song)</span> 1998 single by Keith Murray featuring LL Cool J

"Incredible" is a song by American rappers Keith Murray and LL Cool J. It was released on September 15, 1998 through Jive Records as the only single from Murray's third studio album It's a Beautiful Thing. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recorders in Dix Hills. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who used a sample from James Brown's song "Sportin' Life". The single peaked at 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and 27 on the Hot Rap Songs in the United States.

The discography of American rapper, Keith Murray consists of nine studio albums, two collaborative albums, one compilation album and fourteen singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Full Cooperation</span> 1998 single by Def Squad

"Full Cooperation" is a song written and performed by American hip hop group Def Squad. It was released on June 2, 1998 through Def Jam Recordings as the only single from the group's sole studio album El Niño. Production was handled by member Erick Sermon, who utilised a sample from Houston Person's "Pretty Please".

The following is a discography of production credited to Erick Sermon.

References

  1. Bush, John. "The Most Beautifullest Hits - Keith Murray | Album |". AllMusic . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. "The Most Beautifullest Hits". NME . September 12, 2005. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. T., Pete (August 17, 2010). "Keith Murray :: The Most Beautifullest Hits :: Jive Records". www.rapreviews.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  4. "Hip-Hop Fridays: Exclusive Q & A With Keith Murray". BlackElectorate. April 4, 2003.