Eye & I is the debut album of Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released independently in December 1997, on Capitol Hill Music, and distributed by St. Clair Entertainment. The album was critically acclaimed.[1][2][3] One single, "On wit da Show", was released from the album.
| Eye & I | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 9, 1997 (Canada) | |||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||
| Genre | Canadian hip hop | |||
| Length | 69:18 | |||
| Label | Capitol Hill Music | |||
| Producer | Chase Parsons (exec.), Saukrates (exec.), Kardinal Offishall (associate exec.) | |||
| Kardinal Offishall chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Eye & I | ||||
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Background
editIn 1996, after releasing his first single "Naughty Dread", Kardinal signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada. About 40 percent of the album's cost was provided by the publishing deal.[4] The only single released from the album was "On wit da Show", which was accompanied by a music video. The single also appeared on Kardinal's second studio album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. In 1998, a music video of the song "Jeevin' (Life)" was also released.[4]
Members of The Circle appear on the album, including Solitair, Saukrates and Jully Black. Ro Dolla appears on the album as Afrolistics; Lock Jaw appears as L.J.
Reception
editThe album received rave reviews from music critics.[1][2] AllMusic stated that Kardinal "blended soul, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, and a wholly inventive approach to beats on his 20-track debut album, Eye & I."[3] However, the album was poorly distributed in Canada, and a lack of radio support resulted in the album receiving limited commercial attention.[1][5] Over 4,000 copies of the album were sold in its first three months of release.[4]
Track listing
editAll songs produced by Kardinal Offishall,[6] except "Sweet Marie" and "Jeevin (Life)", produced by Saukrates. "Breakdown (Keep Moving)" is co-produced by Saukrates.
| # | Title | Featured guest(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Breakdown (Keep Moving)" | Denosh | 4:42 |
| 2. | "On wid da Show" | 4:06 | |
| 3. | "Da Brown" | 4:13 | |
| 4. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:43 | |
| 5. | "Mysteries" | 4:34 | |
| 6. | "P.W.O.T." | Afrolistics | 4:03 |
| 7. | "My Niah" | L.J. | 4:14 |
| 8. | "Madmoizellez" | Wade O. Brown | 4:52 |
| 9. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:10 | |
| 10. | "Make It Happen" | Red-1 | 4:53 |
| 11. | "W.I. Philosophi" | Miss Raelene | 1:26 |
| 12. | "Sweet Marie" | Nicole Sinclair | 4:02 |
| 13. | "Bellee Buss (Don't Make Me Laugh)" | 3:24 | |
| 14. | "LoLo" | 1:56 | |
| 15. | "King of da Hill" | Tara Chase | 4:32 |
| 16. | "Elle A" | 3:57 | |
| 17. | "Jeevin' (Life)" | Jully Black | 5:16 |
| 18. | "Naughty Dread Pt. II" | 4:40 | |
| 19. | "Hint-a-lude" | 0:30 | |
| 20. | "Friday Night" | 3:18 |
Samples
edit- "Bellee Buss (Don't Make Me Laugh)" contains samples of "Paid in Full (Coldcut Remix)" by Eric B. & Rakim and "Brainstorm" by Gang Starr
References
edit- ^ a b c Kinder, Gentler Rap, Eh? Archived 2008-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Ottawa Citizen. Accessed on November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b Kardinal Offishall, with guests Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine SEE. Accessed on October 21, 2009.
- ^ a b Kardinal Offishall > Biography Allmusic. Accessed on November 1, 2008.
- ^ a b c Kardinal Offishall making waves[usurped] JAM! Music. Accessed on April 12, 2009.
- ^ Kardinal Offishall - Man on Fire Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine Exclaim!. Accessed on November 1, 2008.
- ^ Canadian Musician Showcase Archived 2011-07-08 at the Wayback Machine Canadian Musician. Accessed on September 25, 2009.