Released October 28, 1997 (US) Length 66:04 Label Big Beat Records | Recorded 1996–1997 Release date 28 October 1997 | |
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Studio Daddy's House Recording Studio, New York Producer Sean "Puffy" Combs (Exec.), The Hitmen (Including Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie(Exec.), Steven "Stevie J" Jordan & Nashiem Myrick), Jermaine Dupri, The Neptunes, Dame Grease, Mo-Suave-A Similar Mase albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
Harlem World is the critically acclaimed multi-platinum debut album by American hip hop recording artist Mase, released October 28, 1997. The album was nominated at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.
Contents
Background
Seen as Puff Daddy's new protégé since the passing of The Notorious B.I.G., Mase rose to fame after being a member of Children of the Corn with fellow Harlem rappers Big L and Cam'ron. After the death of Bloodshed and the subsequent disbanding of the group, Mase was signed to Bad Boy, catching the public eye when appearing on the track "Mo Money, Mo Problems" from Biggie's 1997 album Life After Death. Puff Daddy began to promote Mase as the new premier act of Bad Boy and within a year had released "Harlem World", a successful album spawning hits such as "Feel So Good" (U.S. #5), "What You Want" (U.S. #6), and "Lookin' at Me" (U.S. #8).
Mase released his first solo LP, Harlem World, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Pop and R&B LP charts selling over 270,000 copies in the U.S. its first week of release; it has since gone on to sell 3.3 million copies in the United States. Joining Mase on his solo LP was a long list of rap elite including Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Busta Rhymes, The Lox, Total, and his close friend DMX. The album featured production by Combs, Steven "Stevie J" Jordan, Jermaine Dupri, Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, and (then unknowns) The Neptunes. Mase told MTV about his first solo effort: "Well, basically what I'm trying to establish is a strong identity and foundation for Mase so a lot of people could know that Mase is his own person and Mase can do other things besides rap and music and things in that nature."
Reception
Entertainment Weekly said of the album: "...creatively refreshing, well-crafted lyrics... rap's newest bad boy more than holds his own on his solo debut... his distinctive marble-mouthed drawl... creates a regular-guy persona all too rare in hip-hop."Muzik (4/9, p.84) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...Harlem on the rise? Most definitely." Rap Pages (1/98, p.105) - Solid Material - "...Creatively refreshing, well-crafted lyrics and a high-energy track over a hyped beat easily make this..."
In 2008, the single "Feel So Good" was ranked number 67 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Samples
"Do You Wanna Get $" sampled "Do Ya Wanna Get Funky with Me" by Peter Brown
"Feel So Good" sampled "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & The Gang and "Bad Boy" by Miami Sound Machine
"Love You So" sampled "Square Biz" by Teena Marie and "Ooh Boy" by Rose Royce
"Jealous Guy" sampled "Jealous Girl" by New Edition & by Another Bad Creation
"Will They Die 4 U?" sampled "Everything Good to You (Ain't Always Good for You)" by B.T. Express
"Puff's Intro" sampled "Joy" by Isaac Hayes
"Wanna Hurt Mase?" sampled "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" by Culture Club
"I Need to Be" sampled "Tomorrow" by The Brothers Johnson
"24 Hrs. to Live" sampled "Moses Theme" by Frankie Bleu
"What You Want" sampled "Right on for the Darkness" by Curtis Mayfield
"Cheat on You" sampled "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson
"Lookin' at Me" sampled "Illegal Search" by LL Cool J
Personnel
Songs
1Puff's Intro1:42
2Do You Wanna Get $?Sean Combs3:50
3Take What's YoursDMX3:45