Capital Punishment is the debut album by the American rapper Big Pun, released by Loud Records and by Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productionstheir first product. Released on April 28, 1998, it is the only album released during Big Pun's lifetime as he died two months before his second album, Yeeeah Baby.
It is regarded as a hip-hop classic, described by Black Thought of the Roots as "super groundbreaking" upon release. The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 charts and number 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart for two weeks, eventually becoming the first solo Latin hip-hop record to go Platinum. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, but lost to Jay-Z's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life.
Background In 1995, Big Pun met fellow Puerto Rican and Bronx rapper Fat Joe. He would make his debut on Fat Joe's second album, Jealous One's Envy, on the eleventh track, "Watch Out".
In 1997, Big Pun began recording songs for the album. The album was preceded by two singles: I'm Not a Player, and its remix, Still Not a Player, which would prove to be the commercial breakthrough for both Pun and the songs' producer, Knobody, peaking at No. 57 and 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
Release The album was released on April 28, 1998. It was a commercial success, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and topping the R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts. The album would be certified Gold in Canada and Platinum in the United States, becoming the first solo album by a Latin rapper to go Platinum.
Clean version A clean version of the album was released. It has 22 tracks, with both skits, "Taster’s Choice" and "Pakinamac Pt. I", removed (due to sexual content and violence), and the skits "Pakinamac Pt. II" and "Uncensored" retitled as "Pakinamac" and "Censored".
Critical reception
The album has received generally positive reviews since its release. The Indianapolis Star said that "as a character, Punisher often falls into routine street posturing but the personality is as solid as big body that accompanies it." Entertainment Weekly stated: "Everything about this Bronx-bred Puerto Rican rapper is generous, his 400-pound girth, his multiple rhyming within each line, and his talent for spewing out verses without stopping for breath." Q wrote: "Displaying huge lyrical prowess and the requisite 'sensitive' side...[the album] established Pun as a serious rival to Biggie Smalls and something of a ladykiller to boot... Outrageously good." The Source determined that "he'll rhyme every possible word in a line because he wants to be twice as nice... Capital Punishments all about execution." Rap Pages concluded that "Big Pun is at his best with all barrels firing bullets lacing the air like embroidery on grandmama's quilt."
Legacy Rolling Stone included Capital Punishment on its list of "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time", at number 128.
Track listing
"Still Not a Player" is edited on all pressings. The original uncensored version can be found on the promo single.Sample credits''' "Intro" samples a dialogue clip from the 1994 film Fresh. "Beware" samples "Theme for the Losers" by Henry Mancini, "Shook Ones Part I" by Mobb Deep, and interpolates "Hot Potato" by Naughty by Nature. "Super Lyrical" contains vocal samples from "One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix)" by The Notorious B.I.G., "It's Logic" by Canibus, and dialogue clips from the 1985 film Rocky IV. "Still Not a Player" samples "A Little Bit of Love" by Brenda Russell and interpolates "Brazilian Rhyme (Bejio Interlude)" by Earth, Wind & Fire. "The Dream Shatterer" samples "Funk & Wagner" by Don "Sugarcane" Harris. "Punish Me" contains a vocal sample from "Not Gonna Be Able to Do It" by Double XX Posse. "You Ain't a Killer" samples "With a Child's Heart" by Michael Jackson. "Caribbean Connection" samples "Ready or Not" by Johnny Osbourne, "Moshitup" by Just-Ice, and "It's All About the Benjamins" by Puff Daddy. "Glamour Life" samples "The World Is a Ghetto" by George Benson. "I'm Not a Player" samples "Darlin' Darlin' Baby" by The O'Jays, "Singers" by Eddie Murphy, "Darlin', Darlin', Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" by Steve Khan. "Boomerang" samples "Le Bracelet" by Alain Goraguer. "You Came Up" samples "Don't Ask Me" by Ramon Morris and interpolates "Hail Mary" by 2Pac. "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)" samples "Las Vegas Tango" by Gary Burton, "The Start of Your Ending (41st Side)" by Mobb Deep, "Method Man" by Wu-Tang Clan, "I Ain't No Joke" by Eric B. & Rakim, and "Guillotine (Swordz)" by Raekwon. "Parental Discretion" samples "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr.
Personnel Credits for Capital Punishment'' adapted from the album liner notes.
Armageddon – featured artist Denise Barbarita – assistant engineer Carlos Bess – mixing Big Pun – executive producer, primary artist Black Thought – featured artist Busta Rhymes – featured artist Sean Cane – A&R Chris Conway – mixing Cuban Link – featured artist Dr. Dre – producer Dahoud – producer Danny O – producer dead prez – producer, featured artist Domingo – producer "E" – mixing EQ – producer Fat Joe – executive producer, featured artist Funkmaster Flex – featured artist Paul Gregory – assistant engineer Che Harris – A&R coordination Daniel "PhotoChop" Hastings Troy Hightower – mixing Tom Hughes – assistant engineer Ken "Duro" Ifil – engineer Wyclef Jean – featured artist Inspectah Deck – featured artist Joe – featured artist Ju-Ju – producer Jugrnaut – producer Knobody – producer Ola Kudu – creative direction Adam Kudzin – engineer L.E.S. – producer Matt Life – executive producer Laurie Marks – A&R coordination Mike D. – A&R Minnesota – producer Miss Jones – featured artist Nastee – engineer Frank Nitty – producer Nomad – producer Prodigy – featured artist Prospect – featured artist Roc Raida – scratches Rockwilder – producer RZA – producer Schott Free – A&R Tony Smalios – engineer, mixing Triple Seis – featured artist Showbiz – producer Soundboy – engineer, mixing Kevin Stone – assistant engineer Nikos Teneketzis – mixing assistant Kieran Walsh – engineer Gregory "Gold" Wilson – assistant engineer Ted Wohlsen – mixing Trauma – producer Young Lord – producer Leon Zervos – mastering Mike Zulu – producer
Album chart positions Year Album Chart positions Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Top Canadian Albums 1998 Capital Punishment5111
Singles Year Song Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Rhythmic Top 40 Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 1997 "I'm Not a Player"57193-7 1998 "Still Not a Player"2461351 "You Came Up"-4943--
Certifications
See also List of number-one R&B albums of 1998 (U.S.)
References