Roots of Evil
1998 studio album by Kool G Rap
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Roots of Evil is the second solo album by Mafioso rap artist Kool G Rap, released in 1998 by Kool G's record label, Illstreet.[4][5] It boasts two singles, "Foul Cats" and "Can't Stop the Shine", and reached No. 43 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[6]
| Roots of Evil | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 20, 1998 | |||
| Recorded |
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| Genre | Mafioso rap[1] | |||
| Label | Illstreet[2] | |||
| Producers |
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| Kool G Rap chronology | ||||
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Production and release
The album was recorded in Arizona, during a period of time where G. Rap was purposely avoiding New York.[3] It was promoted with two singles, "Foul Cats" and "Can't Stop the Shine". "Foul Cats" tells the story of Kool G Rap being set up and his friend murdered by a rival gang. Seeking revenge, G Rap and his crew kidnap the girlfriend of one of the rival gangsters at gunpoint and force her to reveal her boyfriend's place of residence. They go to his home in Jackson Heights, Queens, where they find him sleeping on the sofa and awaken him by throwing a glass of whisky in his face. They then discover his heroin stash and kill him by giving him a fatal heroin overdose. When his girlfriend reaches for the phone and attempts to call for help, G Rap is forced to pistol-whip her and shoot her dead before he and his crew flee the premises.
"Can't Stop the Shine" features a chorus sung by R&B singer Miss Jones. The music video shows Kool G Rap and Miss Jones partying on a lavish yacht, and Kool G Rap surviving as assassination attempt by two hitmen in his villa.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
| RapReviews | 8.0/10[7] |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |  [8] |
| The Source | [9] |
Complex wrote that "G. Rap's rhymes are so richly detailed that they put you right there in the heart of the action."[3]
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | *Interlude* | 1:43 | |
| 2 | "Hitman's Diary" | Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 3:43 |
| 3 | "One Dark Night" | Fade for Underworld Productions | Kool G Rap | 1:45 |
| 4 | "Foul Cats" |
|
Kool G Rap | 3:23 |
| 5 | "Tekilla Sunrise" |
|
Kool G Rap | 4:31 |
| 6 | "At da Wake" | *Interlude* | 1:10 | |
| 7 | "Home Sweet Funeral Home" | Haji A. |
|
2:51 |
| 8 | "Mobsta's" | Fade for Underworld Productions | Kool G Rap | 3:18 |
| 9 | "Let the Games Begin" | Rich 5 | Kool G Rap | 3:28 |
| 10 | "A Thugs Love Story (Chapter I, II, III)" |
|
Kool G Rap | 9:33 |
| 11 | "Da Bosses Lady" | A. Evans |
|
3:54 |
| 12 | "Mafioso" | Rich 5 | Kool G Rap | 2:51 |
| 13 | "Thug's Anthem" | E. Thompson |
|
3:46 |
| 14 | "Da Heat" |
|
Kool G Rap | 3:34 |
| 15 | "Can't Stop the Shine" | Kool G Rap |
|
3:58 |
| 16 | "Cannon Fire" | Kool G Rap | Kool G Rap | 4:11 |
| 17 | "Outro" | *Interlude* | 1:05 | |
| 18 | "Daddy Figure" |
|
Kool G Rap | 5:06 |
Samples
- "Cannon Fire"
- "Ballad for the Fallen Soldier" by the Isley Brothers
- "Can't Stop the Shine"
- "What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin'" by Stephanie Mills
- "Da Bosses Lady"
- "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge
- "Foul Cats"
- "Poor Abbey Walsh" by Marvin Gaye
- "Hitman's Diary"
- "You Light Up My Life" by Jean Carne
- "Let the Games Begin"
- "Have Mercy on Me" by the East St. Louis Gospelettes
- "Mobsta's"
- "Ain't No Sunshine" by Tom Jones
- "A Thug's Love Story (Chapter I, II, III)"
- "Mellow Mood (Part I)" by Barry White
Album singles
| Single information |
|---|
"Foul Cats"
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"Can't Stop the Shine"
|
Charts
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10] | 43 |