Conspiracy (Junior M.A.F.I.A. album)

Conspiracy is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A., released on August 29, 1995, by Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records.

Conspiracy
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 29, 1995
RecordedNovember 1994 – July 1995
StudioQuad, Sound on Sound, Unique (New York City)
GenreHardcore hip hop[1]
Length50:35
Label
Producer
Junior M.A.F.I.A. chronology
Conspiracy
(1995)
Riot Musik
(2005)
Singles from Conspiracy
  1. "Player's Anthem"
    Released: May 30, 1995
  2. "I Need You Tonight"
    Released: August 9, 1995
  3. "Get Money"
    Released: February 3, 1996

Upon its release, the album garnered much attention, gaining hype with the release of singles such as "Get Money" and "Player's Anthem". The album features rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who contributes to the album's production in addition to appearing on four of the album's tracks, as well as being its lead songwriter. The album's third single "Get Money", contains a sample from "You Can't Turn Me Away" performed by Sylvia Striplin.

Critical reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
The Source     [3]

Conspiracy received mixed critical reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote, "Considering Ready to Die was one of the seminal hip-hop releases of the early '90s, Conspiracy could have been an inspired, enjoyable sequel; instead, it's a fitfully successful replication of the earlier record's strengths."[4]

Commercial performance

edit

Conspiracy debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, selling 69,000 copies in its first week.[5]

The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 6, 1995.[6]

Track listing

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" 2:42
2."White Chalk"Christopher Wallace
4:40
3."Excuse Me..." (Interlude) Lance "Un" Rivera0:50
4."Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A." (featuring Jamal)Christopher Wallace4:25
5."Player's Anthem"
  • Christopher Wallace
  • Kimberly Jones
Clark Kent5:22
6."I Need You Tonight" (featuring Aaliyah, Faith Evans)Kimberly JonesClark Kent4:28
7."Get Money"
  • Christopher Wallace
  • Kimberly Jones
EZ Elpee4:34
8."I've Been..." (Interlude) Lance "Un" Rivera0:35
9."Crazaay" Clark Kent3:58
10."Back Stabbers" (featuring Jimmy Cozier) Daddy-O5:34
11."Shot!" (Interlude) Lance "Un" Rivera0:55
12."Lyrical Wizardry" Akshun3:52
13."Oh My Lord"Christopher WallaceSpecial Ed3:40
14."Murder Onze" Akshun4:22
15."Outro" Lance "Un" Rivera0:41
Total length:50:38

Sample credits

edit

White Chalk

Back Stabbers

Crazaay

Get Money

I Need You Tonight

Oh My Lord

Player's Anthem

Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A

Murder Onze

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications for Conspiracy
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[6] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

edit
  1. ^ Erlewine, Thomas. "Conspiracy - Junior M.A.F.I.A." AllMusic.
  2. ^ Allmusic review
  3. ^ Poluhoff, Nicholas (November 1995). "Record Report: Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Conspiracy". The Source. No. 74. New York. p. 96. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  4. ^ allmusic ((( Conspiracy Overview )))
  5. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (July 15, 2000). "Between the Bullets: Hit-Hop". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 29. p. 112. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ a b "American album certifications – Junior M.A.F.I.A. – Conspiracy". Recording Industry Association of America. December 6, 1995.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2773". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Junior M.A.F.I.A. Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  9. ^ "Junior M.A.F.I.A. Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  10. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2021.