The Imperial (Flipmode Squad album)
The Imperial is the only studio album by American hip hop group Flipmode Squad. It was released on September 1, 1998 via Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by DJ Scratch, Busta Rhymes, Da Beatminerz, L.E.S., M.D., Rockwilder, Swizz Beatz and Tony Touch. It features guest appearance from Buckshot on the sequel track of off Enta da Stage.
The Imperial | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 1, 1998 | |||
Studio | Soundtrack Studios (New York, NY) | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 1:14:32 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer |
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Busta Rhymes chronology | ||||
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Rampage chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Imperial | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Entertainment Weekly | B[2] |
The album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States, and at number 85 on the UK Albums Chart. Its single "Cha Cha Cha" made it to #61 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #54 on the UK Singles Chart. Music videos were directed for "Everybody on the Line Outside" and "Cha Cha Cha".
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Imperial Intro" | 5:00 | ||
2. | "To My People" | DJ Scratch | 4:56 | |
3. | "Settin' It Off" |
| M.D. | 4:22 |
4. | "Run for Cover" |
| Swizz Beatz | 3:29 |
5. | "I Got Your Back" |
| DJ Scratch | 5:49 |
6. | "This Is What Happens" |
| DJ Scratch | 5:30 |
7. | "Everybody on the Line Outside" |
| DJ Scratch | 5:06 |
8. | "Last Night" |
| Busta Rhymes | 3:59 |
9. | "Where You Think You Goin'" |
| DJ Scratch | 4:40 |
10. | "We Got U Opin, Pt. 2" (featuring Buckshot) |
| Da Beatminerz | 5:02 |
11. | "Straight Spittin" |
| Tony Touch | 4:43 |
12. | "Money Talks" |
| DJ Scratch | 4:26 |
13. | "Cha Cha Cha" |
| DJ Scratch | 4:11 |
14. | "Hit Em Wit da Heat" |
| Rockwilder | 4:17 |
15. | "Do for Self" |
| DJ Scratch | 5:22 |
16. | "Everything" |
| L.E.S. | 3:40 |
Total length: | 1:14:32 |
Personnel
Flipmode Squad
- Trevor "Busta Rhymes" Smith – performer (tracks: 2–5, 7-14, 16), producer (track 8), arranging (tracks: 2-16), executive producer
- William "Spliff Star" Lewis – performer (tracks: 2–5, 8-16)
- Roger "Rampage" McNair – performer (tracks: 2–7, 9-12, 14, 16)
- Rashia "Rah Digga" Fisher – performer (tracks: 2–6, 9-14, 16)
- Leroy "Baby Sham" Jones – performer (tracks: 2–5, 9-11, 13–16)
- Wayne "Lord Have Mercy" Notise – performer (tracks: 4, 7, 9-11, 14)
Technical
- Kenyatta "Buckshot" Blake – performer (track 10)
- George "DJ Scratch" Spivey – producer (tracks: 2, 5–7, 9, 12, 13, 15), arranging (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13), executive producer
- Douglas "M.D." Brinson – producer (track 3)
- Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean – producer (track 4)
- Walter "Mr. Walt" Dewgarde – producer & arranging (track 10)
- Joseph "Tony Touch" Hernandez – producer (track 11)
- Dana "Rockwilder" Stinson – producer (track 14)
- Leshan "L.E.S." Lewis – producer (track 16)
- Vinnie Nicoletti – recording (tracks: 2–5, 7-13, 15, 16), mixing (tracks: 2, 3, 5–9, 12–14, 16)
- Robert Burnette – recording (tracks: 4, 6, 7, 14), mixing (track 11)
- Andre DeBourg – recording (track 7)
- Dominick Barbera – mixing (tracks: 4, 10, 15)
- Eduardo Larez – assiastant engineering (tracks: 2, 7, 9, 11), assiastant recording (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16), assiastant mixing (tracks: 4, 7, 11, 12)
- Rich Tapper – assiastant engineering (tracks: 3, 10), assiastant mixing (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16)
- Jin Won Lee – assiastant engineering (track 3), assiastant recording (tracks: 5, 14), assiastant mixing (track 15)
- Cathy Rich – assiastant engineering (track 6)
- Sheldon Guide – assiastant engineering (track 9), assiastant recording (track 4)
- Tom Passetti – assiastant recording (track 8)
- Darren Rapp – assiastant recording (track 14)
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Rick Posada – executive producer
- Gregory Burke – art direction, design
- Alli Burke – art direction
- Amy Guip – photography
- Kevin "Webb" Welch – A&R direction, management
- Lisa Aird – A&R coordination
- Chris Lighty – management
- Mona Scott – management
Charts
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
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UK Albums (OCC)[3] | 85 |
US Billboard 200[4] | 15 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] | 3 |
References
- Gallucci, Michael. "The Imperial Album - Flipmode Squad | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- Diehl, Matt (November 13, 1998). "The Imperial Album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "The FlipMode Squad Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- "The FlipMode Squad Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
External links
- Flipmode Squad – The Imperial at Discogs (list of releases)