Released May 26, 1998 Length 3:26 | Genre Conscious hip hop Label Rawkus Records | |
Format 12-inch single, CD, Vinyl Recorded 1997
Funky Slice Studios; Brooklyn, NY | ||
"Definition" is the first single from Black Star's eponymously titled 1998 album (see 1998 in music). It is produced by Hi-Tek, who samples "The P Is Free" by Boogie Down Productions for the track's beat. In addition, the song's chorus interpolates "Stop the Violence" by Boogie Down Productions. The chorus and the song's lyrics in general deal with the necessity to stop violence in hip hop. The song is an underground hit, but it still reached #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is featured on multiples compilations such as Best of Decade I: 1995-2005, Rawkus Records' greatest hits album. Allmusic writer Jason Kaufman considers it to be a "flawless" track.
Contents
A reprise of "Definition" titled "RE: DEFinition" can be found on the Black Star album.
A-side
- "Definition" (Radio Version)
- "Definition" (What We Really Said)
- "Definition" (Instrumental to Your Development)
B-side
- "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Radiohead Version)
- "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Streethead Version)
- "Twice Inna Lifetime" (Instrumentally Yours)