Today in Hip-hop marks nineteen years of Hip-hop supergroup's The Firm's debut and only studio album, The Album.
The idea of initiating such collective originated from prominent rapper Nas, manager Steve Stoute, as well as Dr. Dre and Trackmasters. When the group assembled, the original roster featured the combined talents of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega, the same artists appearing on Nas' “Affirmative Action” off his 1996 album, It Was Written. Nature was later added to the line-up as Cormega announced his exclusion.
The Album holds concepts thematic to the “mind of a mafia”, as well as “the life of a gangsta”. Produced by the likes of Dre, Chris “The Glove” Taylor, and Poke and Tone, the record listed eighteen tracks and featured appearances from artists such as Pretty Boy, Canibus, Dawn Robinson, Noriega, and Half-a-Mill.
Despite the high anticipation rates, many criticized the record for its overly-pop-infused tracks, as opposed to the roster's more familiar sounds. While reviews expressed distaste over the album's shift in tone, the album debuted at #1 on both Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, extending its acclaim beyond the US as it charted on Canadian, French, and UK charts.
The single “Firm Biz” was later released with a notable music video featuring Nas and AZ engaged in hot pursuit after a man robs a bank. Hype Williams directed such video whereas the song showcased production from L.E.S. The track also features Dawn Robinson from En Vogue on the song's refrain in between magnum-caliber verses from Nas, AZ, and Foxy Brown.
By Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
