Violent by Design | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 3, 2000 | |||
Recorded | 1998–2000 | |||
Genre | East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop | |||
Length | 76:08 | |||
Label | Superegular Records | |||
Producer | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, Mr. Len | |||
Jedi Mind Tricks chronology | ||||
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Singles from Violent by Design | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
AllHipHop.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
RapReviews.com | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
cosmik | C+ [4] |
Salacious Sound | (favorable) [5] |
Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. [6] The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's previous label, Babygrande Records, re-released the album on May 25, 2004. The original vinyl release featured twenty tracks, [7] while the original CD release featured two extra tracks: the "Heavenly Divine Remix", originally released on the B-Side to JMT's "Heavenly Divine" single, and "War Ensemble", originally released as the B-Side of the Army of the Pharaohs Five Perfect Exertions EP. [8] Babygrande's Deluxe Edition featured three more bonus tracks: "Untitled", "Retaliation Remix" and "Blood Runs Cold", the latter two originally featured on the "Retaliation" single. [9] The Deluxe Edition also included a bonus DVD, featuring a video scrapbook from their Visions of Gandhi tour, and the music video for the group's 1997 track "I Who Have Nothing".
Vinnie Paz and Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind recruited Camden, New Jersey rapper Jus Allah to join them on the album, and while he was never officially inducted into the group, it can be assumed he became JMT's third member on the release, as his contributions were not marked as "featuring Jus Allah", while other close group affiliates such as Army of the Pharaohs members Chief Kamachi, Esoteric and Virtuoso were marked as featured guests. He was also featured in the album's photography.
The album was recorded and mixed in Stoupe's bedroom for nine months, and because Stoupe was still living at his parents' house, they recorded every Friday for three hours. [10]
The cover art is from a photograph by Joel D. Meyerson, taken during the Battle of Dak To. The execution of Nguyễn Văn Lém is printed on the inside of the digipak.
The group began recording their second album, originally titled Polymatrix: Reincarnation of the Hologramic Christ, [11] after the release of their 1997 debut, The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness , and the group's side project with the Army of the Pharaohs, 1998's Five Perfect Exertions EP. In the summer of 1999, the group released the "Heavenly Divine" single to hype their second album. The single has been recognized as the group's trademark song, and was described as "a perfect blend of Jedi Mind's metaphysical, spiritual and street influences". The following year, JMT released the single "Genghis Khan", featuring underground veteran Tragedy Khadafi, to further hype their upcoming album. After two years of recording, Violent by Design was released, featuring guest verses from AOTP members Esoteric, Virtuoso, Chief Kamachi and Bahamadia, OuterSpace member Planetary, Killa Sha, Mr. Lif, DiamondBack, Louis Logic, B.A. Barakus, L-Fudge, and J-Treds, as well as two interludes performed by Company Flow member Mr. Len.
Straying from the science fiction and conspiracy theory topics that dominated their debut, JMT adopted a more rugged, hardcore style with Violent by Design, mixing their past metaphysical content with violent lyrics. Their new unrelenting style gained them a large new underground following, but at the same time drew significant criticism, largely due to the album's intense violence, and controversial anti-Christian and homophobic [12] lyrical content. Due to this, Allmusic writer Dean Carlson stated that the group was "well-versed in contradictions", but also praised the group's unique style, stating, "They know how to intimidate without gangsta pretensions and they know how to create menace without losing sight of humor or clarity." [1] While Carlson had mixed feelings on the album, AMG writer Joshua Glazer referred to it as a classic.[ citation needed ] RapReviews.com writer Steve 'Flash' Juon said that the album's graphic lyrics would "turn some people off", and like Carlson, went on to compliment the rapper's style, stating, "Paz and Jus can definitely flow, and they have essentially invented a new rapping style." Juon ultimately praised the album, saying:
"By adding another emcee and evolving their sound, JMT created a completely unique work with their sophomore epic... Courtesy of Stoupe, each song is brimming with random vocal snippets and string-laden, moody samples. The two emcees rap with unfettered fire, attacking everything from Catholicism to the American Government. This LP is a trip, in every sense of the word. Without a doubt, JMT's work is something to explore deeply, especially for the wonderful harmonies that Stoupe manifests. For those with patience and a sense of superior hip-hop, "Violent By Design" cannot be ignored. It is simply too remarkable." [13]
To date, the most acclaimed aspect of the album has been the dark, atmospheric production work by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. Featuring a variety of vague samples, largely taken from movie scores and various tracks from Latin artists, matched with random vocals taken from numerous films and selections of poems by British poet Wilfred Owen, Stoupe's work on Violent by Design helped to establish him as one of underground hip hop's preeminent producers. In his album review, Steve Juon praises Stoupe's work on the album, calling it "absolutely riveting", and even going so far as to say that his production on "Sacrifice" was "one of the greatest single-song productions I have ever heard in hip-hop." He goes on to state:
"The glue that holds "Violent By Design" together is clearly Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The soundscapes he crafts on this album are complex, moody, and quite exceptional... All of these works, despite being completely distinctive, fall well within the range of the musical themes that Stoupe brings to the record... He practically invents a new method of hip-hop artistry." [13]
No. | Title | Producer | Length |
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1. | "Intro" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 0:43 |
2. | "Retaliation" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:44 |
3. | "Contra" (featuring Killasha) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, DJ Kwestion (scratches) | 3:18 |
4. | "Speech Cobras" (featuring Mr. Lif) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, Drew Dollars (scratches) | 4:22 |
5. | "Breath of God Interlude" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 0:37 |
6. | "Death March" (featuring Esoteric and Virtuoso) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:34 |
7. | "Words from Mr. Len Part One" | Mr. Len | 0:58 |
8. | "I Against I" (featuring Planetary) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:49 |
9. | "Exertions (Remix)" (featuring Bahamadia, Esoteric and Virtuoso) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:14 |
10. | "The Prophecy Interlude" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 0:36 |
11. | "Heavenly Divine" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 4:34 |
12. | "Sacrifice" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:20 |
13. | "Permanent Night Interlude" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 0:39 |
14. | "The Deer Hunter" (featuring Chief Kamachi) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:41 |
15. | "Blood Reign" (featuring B.A. Barakus, Diamondback and Louis Logic) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:37 |
16. | "Words from Mr. Len Part Two" | Mr. Len | 0:29 |
17. | "Genghis Khan" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:50 |
18. | "Trinity" (featuring L-Fudge, Louis Logic) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:36 |
19. | "The Executioner’s Dream" (featuring J-Treds) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:52 |
20. | "Muerte" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:57 |
21. | "Heavenly Divine (Remix) (hidden track)" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:21 |
22. | "War Ensemble (hidden track)" (performed by Army of the Pharaohs featuring Esoteric and Virtuoso) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 4:07 |
Total length: | 64:12 |
No. | Title | Producer | Length |
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23. | "Untitled" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:38 |
24. | "Retaliation (Remix)" | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 4:23 |
25. | "Blood Runs Cold" (featuring Sean Price) | Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind | 3:55 |
Total length: | 76:08 |
Intro
Retaliation
Contra
Speech Cobras
Death March
Words from Mr. Len Part One
I Against I
Exertions (Remix)
The Prophecy Interlude
Heavenly Divine
Sacrifice
| Permanent Midnight Interlude
The Deer Hunter
Blood Reign
Genghis Khan
Trinity
The Executioner’s Dream
Muerte
Heavenly Divine (Remix)
War Ensemble
Untitled
Retaliation (Remix)
Blood Runs Cold |
Single information |
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" Heavenly Divine "
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" Genghis Khan "
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"Retaliation"/"Retaliation Remix"
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Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) are an American underground hip hop group from Philadelphia, founded in 1996 by two high school friends, rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. In 1999, rapper Jus Allah joined the group to record their second studio album, Violent by Design. Jus left the group shortly after, but returned in late 2006 and began working on the sixth studio album, A History of Violence. In 2011 Stoupe left the group because "his heart wasn't in making JMT records anymore". In 2013, Jus split from the group indefinitely, and Stoupe returned in 2015.
Babygrande Records is an American independent record label based in New York City, founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by The Orchard and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.
Army of the Pharaohs is an American underground hip hop collective originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks founder Vinnie Paz in 1998. The collective has strong links to other underground east coast groups such as OuterSpace, Snowgoons, La Coka Nostra, Demigodz, 7L & Esoteric, and JuJu Mob. AOTP's affiliations and member roster has changed several times since its formation.
OuterSpace is an underground hip hop duo from North Philadelphia. Originally a trio consisting of three Puerto Rican friends that then took the artist names Planetary, Jedeye and Crypt the Warchild. The founding member Mario Collazo (Planetary) was then attending 10th grade, while the other two, Richard Cruz (Jedeye) and Marcus Albaladejo, were in 8th grade.
James Bostick, better known by his stage name Jus Allah, is an American rapper from Camden, New Jersey. He is best known for being a former member of Philadelphia-based hip hop groups Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) and Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP).
Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind or simply Stoupe, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Stoupe has worked with only a limited number of artists outside of Jedi Mind Tricks, including 7L & Esoteric, Canibus, Virtuoso, Guru of Gang Starr and Switch.
Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the fifth studio album by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released September 19, 2006 through Babygrande Records. The first single, "Heavy Metal Kings", featuring Ill Bill of La Coka Nostra, was released in early August through iTunes and a limited edition vinyl pressing. Additional guest appearances on the album are provided by Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Sean Price, R.A. the Rugged Man, Block McCloud and Army of the Pharaohs members Chief Kamachi and Reef the Lost Cauze.
Vincenzo Luviner, better known as Vinnie Paz, is an Italian-born American rapper and producer behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs.
The Torture Papers is the debut album by underground hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs, released March 21, 2006 on Babygrande Records. The crew was established in 1998 by Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz, and originally featured Jedi Mind Tricks, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Virtuoso and Bahamadia. Virtuoso and Bahamadia later split from the group, which now consists of Paz, Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Apathy, OuterSpace, King Syze, Reef the Lost Cauze, Des Devious, Celph Titled and Faez One. An Army of the Pharaohs collaboration album was rumored to be in the works for years, but was often delayed due to separate projects and internal problems, however a mixtape titled After Torture There's Pain was released in 2007.
Marcus Albaladejo, better known by his stage name Crypt the Warchild, is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Albaladejo is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and is a member of Army of the Pharaohs. Crypt the Warchild is the older brother of rapper King Syze, who is also a member of Army of the Pharaohs.
David Albaladejo is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of the underground hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP), having featured on all their studio albums. He is known for his frequent collaboration with AOTP members; OuterSpace. Outside of rap, Albaladejo works as a member of a trade union which has inspired the names of many of his studio albums.
Mario Collazo, better known by his stage name Planetary, is an American underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and a member of Army of the Pharaohs.
"Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story" is a song by hip-hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, consisting of rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, and features a guest verse from R.A. the Rugged Man. It is the fourth song on the group's 2006 album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell. While not released as a single, the song was recognized as one of the album's standout tracks.
"Heavenly Divine" is a single by American hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in mid-1999 through the group's self-run label Superegular Recordings.
"Genghis Khan" is a single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. The original press, distributed through JMT's Superegular Recordings, was released as a promo in early 2000. The group's second and former label, Babygrande Records, re-released the single in 2003 with wider distribution. The track is named after 13th century Mongol leader Genghis Khan. The song contains a sample from "Downloading", a symphonic composition by Harald Kloser, taken from the film The Thirteenth Floor.
"Retaliation" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, the third released from their second album Violent by Design, following "Heavenly Divine" and "Genghis Khan". Released in 2001, the single was the group's last release on self-run Superegular Recordings. The following year, the group migrated to Babygrande Records. "Retaliation" contains a musical sample from "El Rio Y Las Rosas" by Rosita Peru, a vocal sample from "Cross My Heart" by Killah Priest, and a vocal sample from "Money in the bank" by Kool G. Rap. The single also contains the edited "Retaliation (Remix)", and the B-Side track "Blood Runs Cold", featuring Heltah Skeltah's Sean Price, both originally only available on this single. Babygrande Records re-released Violent by Design in 2004, including both "Retaliation (Remix)" and "Blood Runs Cold" as bonus tracks.
A History of Violence is the sixth studio album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records. The album followed multiple summer releases from the Jedi Mind Tricks camp, including the group's first DVD, titled Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks, and the Vinnie Paz-executive produced projects Jedi Mind Tricks presents Doap Nixon: Sour Diesel, Jedi Mind Tricks presents King Syze: The Labor Union, and Jedi Mind Tricks presents OuterSpace: God's Fury. The album's first single Monolith was released on October 2, 2008. Their second single Godflesh was released on their website and it featured King Magnetic and Block McCloud. The album features former Jedi Mind Tricks member Jus Allah's return to the group.
Decalogue is the first full-length solo studio album by American hip hop record producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. It was released on March 31, 2009 via Babygrande Records. Production was entirely handled by Stoupe himself, with Chuck Wilson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from his fellow Army of the Pharaohs groupmates Block McCloud, Demoz, Des Devious, Jus Allah, King Magnetic, OuterSpace and Reef the Lost Cauze, as well as Joell Ortiz, M.O.P., Saigon, Slaine, Supastition, and his future Vespertina bandmate Lorrie Doriza.
Rip the Jacker is the fifth studio album by American rapper Canibus. Produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind of the group Jedi Mind Tricks, the album was released on July 22, 2003, through Babygrande Records.
The Five Perfect Exertions / War Ensemble is the debut extended play released by Army of the Pharaohs in 1998.