Rhythm-al-ism is the fourth studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist and producer DJ Quik, released on November 24, 1998, by Arista Records and was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 7, 1999. It peaked at number 63 on the US Billboard 200 chart. He recorded the album at Skip Sailor Recordings in Los Angeles, and worked with producer G-One. The album featured the singles "You'z a Ganxta", "Hand In Hand" featuring 2nd II None & El DeBarge, and "Down, Down, Down" featuring Suga Free, Mausberg & AMG.

Background and recording In an interview with Complex, DJ Quik spoke on the background and recording process of Rhythm-al-ism stating, “With the Rhythm-al-ism album, even though it didn't have a home because Profile Records was going through something and I was fighting them for back royalties and they had me on suspension because they didn't want to pay me. I understood, those were some big checks, I wouldn't want to pay DJ Quik either. "I think that's when I lost my rough edges, I lost the gangster and became like an R&B pretty boy. "The name Rhythm-al-ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy".

The cover art and some aspects of the album were inspired by L.A. rock band the Doors, confirmed by Quik himself via Instagram.

Critical reception

Rhythm-al-ism received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. AllMusic wrote, "Considering its guest list—packed with enough star power (El DeBarge, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Peter Gunz, Hi-C, AMG, and 2nd II None) to fill a 'Wrestlemania' card—Rhythm-al-ism promises more than it actually delivers." Soren Baker of the Los Angeles Times felt that DJ Quik delivered "his richest music to date", saying the vibrant production makes the "explicit sexual romps" more friendly and wholesome than other rap acts' "menacing and evil" tales, concluding that "the music is so enjoyable, it's easy to overlook the collection's clever wordplay." Pedro 'DJ Complejo' Hernandez of RapReviews said the record "exhibits all the characteristics that make Quik the underground star he is. It's a recommended addition to anybody's collection and a testament to the fact that though outshined by its East Coast counterparts at times, the West Coast keeps partying as strong as ever."

Accolades In 2012, Kendrick Lamar included the album on his "Complex Top 25 Favorite Albums" list and wrote that: "'Down, Down, Down,' that used to be crazy. I came across this record in middle school. Middle school, just playing 'Down, Down, Down' all day. Going on the bus and bumping that. 'Speed' was crazy, 'Hand In Hand.' 'Speed' was crazy. The interlude was crazy too, he always has a lot of crazy interludes." In 2025, Pitchfork placed it at number 34 on their list of the "100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". The website's writer Joshua Minsoo Kim said that while DJ Quik "raps on here like your impish best friend, Rhythm-al-isms hedonistic celebrations feel urgent, valorizing that most important thing in life: having a good time."

Commercial performance The album debuted at number sixty three on the US Billboard 200 and spent 29 weeks on the chart. It also debuted at number thirteen on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and spent 39 weeks on the chart as well. The album was certified Gold on July 27, 1999, by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies.

Track listing

(co.) Co-producer

Sample credits "We Still Party" contains samples of "Verb: That's What's Happening" by Zachary Sanders. "Down, Down, Down" contains a sample of "So Fine" by Howard Johnson. "I Useta Know Her" contains a sample of "Flash Light (Extended)" by Parliament. "Speed" contains samples of "Mom" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Rapper Dapper Snapper" by Edwin Birdsong and "You and Love Are the Same" by the Grassroots. "Whateva U Do" contains a sample of "So in Love" by Smokey Robinson. "You'z a Ganxta" contains a sample of "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang. "Get 2Getha Again" contains a sample of "Do It, Fluid" by the Blackbyrds.

Personnel Credits for Rhythm-al-ism adapted from liner notes.

2nd II None – performer, primary artist AMG – performer, primary artist Del Atkins – bass Robert Bacon – guitar Agnes Baddoo – stylist Kenneth Crouch – fender rhodes, piano El DeBarge – guest artist, performer, primary artist Dee – background vocals DJ Quik – bass, drums, executive producer, mixing, percussion, primary artist, producer, synthesizer Sheppard Lane – executive producer Nate Dogg – guest artist Charles Green – horn Bernie Grundman – mastering Peter Gunz – guest artist, performer, primary artist Playa Hamm – guest artist, performer, primary artist

Anthony Harrison, Jr. – art direction Hi-C – guest artist, performer, primary artist Stan Jones – guitar Dionne Knighton – background vocals Mausberg – guest artist, primary artist Eric McCaine – percussion Chris Puram – assistant engineer Snoop Dogg – guest artist, performer, primary artist Suga Free – guest artist, performer, primary artist Ron Townsend – flute Marvin Watkins – guitar Michael Wong – photography

Charts Chart (1998)PeakpositionUS Billboard 20063US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums13

Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionUS Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums61

Singles SongChart (1998–99)Peakposition"You'z a Ganxta"US Billboard Hot R&B Airplay66US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs59"Hand in Hand"US Billboard Hot R&B Airplay54US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs66US Billboard Rhythmic Top 4038"Down, Down, Down"US Billboard Hot R&B Airplay51US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs59

Certifications

Release history RegionDateLabelFormatUnited StatesNovember 10, 1998Arista RecordsCD, Cassette, LPCanadaNovember 23, 1998Arista RecordsCD, CassetteUnited KingdomNovember 24, 1998Arista RecordsCD, Cassette

References