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.
William Braunstein, known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diverse lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records. His brother Ron is rapper and producer Necro.
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his 1993 single "Come Clean" from his debut album, The Sun Rises in the East, ranked as one of the 100 greatest hip-hop albums of all time by the editors of About.com. He has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since he was in high school.
Can I Borrow a Dollar? is the debut studio album by American rapper Common Sense, now known as Common, which was released on October 6, 1992, by Relativity Records. The album was entirely produced by No I.D. and The Twilite Tone, with additional production by The Beatnuts, and includes guest vocals from Immenslope, Miss Jones and Common's then-girlfriend Rayshel. Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming described it as "a clever but little-noticed first album".
The Future Is Now is the only studio album by the New York City hip hop group Non Phixion, released in March 2002 on Landspeed Records. The album garnered acclaim among critics and fans, and is considered to be an underground classic. A double disc Platinum Edition of the album was released in 2004, with the second disc featuring instrumental versions of the fourteen full-length tracks found on disc one. The Future Is Now features an all-star production lineup, including legends such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor and JuJu of The Beatnuts, as well as group affiliate Necro, Dave 1 of Chromeo and T-Ray. The album features guest appearances from Necro, MF DOOM, The Beatnuts, Al Tariq, Marley Metal, Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, and Christian Olde Wolbers and Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory. The album's cover art was created by Mear One, and the logo is a tribute to Canadian metal band Voivod.
Intoxicated Demons: The EP is the debut EP by the hip hop trio the Beatnuts. It was released in April 1993 by Relativity Records. It is the first of two EP's released by the group. All of its songs are produced by the Beatnuts. 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.
Stone Crazy is the second studio album by hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released on June 24, 1997 by Relativity Records and Epic Records in later pressings. It is the first album released by The Beatnuts after rapper Fashion left the group to pursue a solo career. The album is produced solely by The Beatnuts and features guest appearances by artists including Big Pun, Cuban Link and two rappers in the group Screwball. The album contains four singles, two of which charted. Stone Crazy had the best charting positions of any Beatnuts album upon its release, and is considered their breakthrough album.
Take It or Squeeze It is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on March 20, 2001 and it was the first Beatnuts album to be released after Loud Records finished their merger with Relativity Records. It was critically well-received, but lacked commercial success.
Milk Me is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on August 31, 2004 by Penalty Recordings. It was critically received as a solid effort, but barely scraped the Billboard 200. In addition, none of its three singles were able to chart. The album's title was inspired by a phrase uttered by a man in "some porno".
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.
"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.
"Off the Books" is the third single from Stone Crazy, a 1997 album by East Coast hip hop group The Beatnuts. It was released by Relativity Records in both 12 inch and CD format in 1997. The song is produced by The Beatnuts and features raps by Juju and Psycho Les, the first on-record performance by Cuban Link, and a notable early verse from Big Punisher. Lyrics from Psycho Les's verse were later sampled in "The Rep Grows Bigga" by Gang Starr and two Beatnuts songs: "No Escapin' This" and "Slam Pit". The track's beat samples "Break that Party and Opening" by Melvin Van Peebles, "Sign Song" by Buddy Baker, "Get out of My Life, Woman" by George Semper and "Hihache" by Lafayette Afro Rock Band.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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.
