| We Come Strapped | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 19, 1994 | |||
| Recorded | 1993–1994 | |||
| Studio | X-Factor (Long Beach, Calif.) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 57:52 | |||
| Label | Epic Street | |||
| Producer | ||||
| MC Eiht chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from We Come Strapped | ||||
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We Come Strapped is the debut studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on July 19, 1994, through Epic Street. The recording sessions took place at X-Factor Studios in Long Beach, California. The album was produced by Compton's Most Wanted members MC Eiht and DJ Slip, except for one song, "Compton Bomb", produced by Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on the keyboards, Josh Achziger on guitar, Carla Evans on vocals, and guest appearances from rappers Redman and Spice 1. In addition to a Parental Advisory sticker, Epic also included text on the album cover that noted that Eiht's lyrics reflected his personal views.[1]
The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on September 29, 1994. It has been MC Eiht's most successful album to date.
It spawned two singles and music videos for the songs "All for the Money" and "Geez Make the Hood Go Round".
Background[edit]
Despite the CMW title on the album cover, We Come Strapped is considered to be MC Eiht's debut solo album. In addition to MC Eiht, from CMW, the album features DJ Slip on keyboards and production, as well as DJ Mike T's scratches in one song only. However, MC Eiht mentions the fellow group members by name-dropping Boom Bam, Tha Chill, Lil Hawk & Bird, and Niggaz on tha Run throughout the album. The rapper insults DJ Quik on the track "Def Wish III" due to their then-ongoing feud.
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[3] |
| The Indianapolis Star | [4] |
| RapReviews | 8/10[5] |
| The Source | [6] |
The Indianapolis Star wrote: "While chilling in its acceptance of violence, the disc is about attitude. We're drawn into the violence by lightly funked bass, mellow synthesizers and piano and soul-sparked horns. The insanity is in slow motion, slowly feeling natural. No other recent gangsta rap has had that power."[4]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Niggaz That Kill" (Endolude) | 2:32 | |
| 2. | "Def Wish III" (Intro) |
| 0:57 |
| 3. | "Def Wish III" (featuring Carla Evans) |
| 4:23 |
| 4. | "Take 2 with Me" |
| 4:44 |
| 5. | "All for the Money" |
| 4:08 |
| 6. | "Compton Cyco" |
| 3:02 |
| 7. | "Niggaz Make the Hood Go Round" | Aaron Tyler | 4:09 |
| 8. | "Nuthin' But High" (Endolude) |
| 3:26 |
| 9. | "We Come Strapped" |
| 4:08 |
| 10. | "Can I Still Kill It" |
| 3:40 |
| 11. | "Goin' Out Like Geez" |
| 4:39 |
| 12. | "Nuthin' But the Gangsta" (featuring Spice 1 and Redman) |
| 5:13 |
| 13. | "Hard Times" |
| 4:08 |
| 14. | "Compton Bomb" |
| 5:11 |
| 15. | "2 tha Westside" (Endolude) |
| 3:32 |
| Total length: | 57:52 | ||
- Sample credits
- "All for the Money" contains a sample of "In the Mood" performed by Tyrone Davis.
Personnel[edit]
- Aaron Tyler – main artist, vocals, keyboards (tracks: 1, 2), producer (tracks: 1-13, 15), co-producer (track 14), arranger, executive producer
- Terry Keith Allen – main artist, keyboards (tracks: 6, 14), producer (tracks: 1-13, 15), co-producer (track 14), arranger, engineering
- Michael Bryant – scratches (track 6)
- Reginald Noble – featured artist, vocals (track 12)
- Robert L. Green Jr. – featured artist, vocals (track 12)
- Carla Evans – vocals (track 3)
- William "Willie Z" Zimmerman – keyboards (tracks: 1-5, 7-13, 15), co-arranger
- Josh Achziger – guitar (track 14), assistant engineering
- Alaric "Rick" Simon – producer (track 14)
- Alan Yoshida – mastering
- Cheryl Dickerson – A&R direction
- Peter Dokus – art direction, photography
- Rom Anthonis – design
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[7] | 5 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[8] | 1 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Hochman, Steve (July 24, 1994). "Pop Eye". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 68.
- ^ "We Come Strapped MC Eiht". AllMusic. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ Bernard, James (August 12, 1994). "We Come Strapped". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ a b Miley, Scott L. (Aug 12, 1994). "MC Eiht disc a seductive ode to violence". The Indianapolis Star. p. C6.
- ^ T., Pete (September 28, 2010). "MC Eiht featuring CMW We Come Strapped Sony/Epic Street". RapReviews. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ Gordon, Allen S. (August 1994). "Record Report: Compton's Most Wanted – We Come Strapped". The Source. No. 59. New York. p. 85.
- ^ "MC Eiht featuring CMW Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "MC Eiht featuring CMW Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "American album certifications – MC Eiht – We Come Strapped". Recording Industry Association of America.
External links[edit]
- MC Eiht Featuring CMW – We Come Strapped at Discogs (list of releases)
