Conspiracy is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A., released on August 29, 1995, by Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records.
Conspiracy | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 29, 1995 | |||
Recorded | November 1994 – July 1995 | |||
Studio | Quad, Sound on Sound, Unique (New York City) | |||
Genre | Hardcore hip hop[1] | |||
Length | 50:35 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Junior M.A.F.I.A. chronology | ||||
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Singles from Conspiracy | ||||
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Upon its release, the album garnered much attention, gaining hype with the release of singles such as "Get Money" and "Player's Anthem". The album features rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who contributes to the album's production in addition to appearing on four of the album's tracks, as well as being its lead songwriter. The album's third single "Get Money", contains a sample from "You Can't Turn Me Away" performed by Sylvia Striplin.
Critical reception
editReview scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
The Source | [3] |
Conspiracy received mixed critical reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote, "Considering Ready to Die was one of the seminal hip-hop releases of the early '90s, Conspiracy could have been an inspired, enjoyable sequel; instead, it's a fitfully successful replication of the earlier record's strengths."[4]
Commercial performance
editConspiracy debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, selling 69,000 copies in its first week.[5]
The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 6, 1995.[6]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | 2:42 | ||
2. | "White Chalk" | Christopher Wallace |
| 4:40 |
3. | "Excuse Me..." (Interlude) | Lance "Un" Rivera | 0:50 | |
4. | "Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A." (featuring Jamal) | Christopher Wallace | 4:25 | |
5. | "Player's Anthem" |
| Clark Kent | 5:22 |
6. | "I Need You Tonight" (featuring Aaliyah, Faith Evans) | Kimberly Jones | Clark Kent | 4:28 |
7. | "Get Money" |
| EZ Elpee | 4:34 |
8. | "I've Been..." (Interlude) | Lance "Un" Rivera | 0:35 | |
9. | "Crazaay" | Clark Kent | 3:58 | |
10. | "Back Stabbers" (featuring Jimmy Cozier) | Daddy-O | 5:34 | |
11. | "Shot!" (Interlude) | Lance "Un" Rivera | 0:55 | |
12. | "Lyrical Wizardry" | Akshun | 3:52 | |
13. | "Oh My Lord" | Christopher Wallace | Special Ed | 3:40 |
14. | "Murder Onze" | Akshun | 4:22 | |
15. | "Outro" | Lance "Un" Rivera | 0:41 | |
Total length: | 50:38 |
Sample credits
editWhite Chalk
- "The What" by The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Method Man
- "Things Done Changed" by The Notorious B.I.G.
Back Stabbers
- "Back Stabbers" by The O'Jays
- "Your Smile" by René & Angela
Crazaay
- "Can't We Smile" by Johnny Hammond
Get Money
- "You Can't Turn Me Away" by Sylvia Striplin
I Need You Tonight
- "Remind Me" by Patrice Rushen
- "I Wonder If I Take You Home" by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam and Full Force
Oh My Lord
- "The World Is Yours" by Nas
Player's Anthem
- "You Are What I'm All About" by New Birth
- "Yellowman & Fathead" by Yellowman and Fathead
- "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng" by Yellowman
Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A
- "UFO" by ESG
Murder Onze
- "Laughter in the Rain" by Earl Klugh
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ Erlewine, Thomas. "Conspiracy - Junior M.A.F.I.A." AllMusic.
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Poluhoff, Nicholas (November 1995). "Record Report: Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Conspiracy". The Source. No. 74. New York. p. 96. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ allmusic ((( Conspiracy Overview )))
- ^ Mayfield, Geoff (July 15, 2000). "Between the Bullets: Hit-Hop". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 29. p. 112. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "American album certifications – Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Conspiracy". Recording Industry Association of America. December 6, 1995.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2773". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Junior M.A.F.I.A. Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Junior M.A.F.I.A. Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2021.