Description
GOLD SHELL CASSETTE
Limited to 100 units worldwide
Nearly 22 years after the release of Infamous Mobb’s debut album, Special Edition, Coalmine Reissues is proud to breathe new life into this Q-Boro classic with limited cassette and vinyl reissues that truly live up to its name.
Encompassing core members Ty Nitty, Big Twins (aka Twin Gambino), and Godfather Part III, IM3 is an integral part of the Q-Boro rap scene, with roots tracing back to Mobb Deep’s quintessential classic The Infamous, where the trio is featured throughout many of the album’s skits. They next appeared rapping on Big Noyd's debut album Episodes of a Hustla and Mobb Deep's 1996 follow-up LP, Hell on Earth.
After various label entanglements, the group was finally able to unveil their debut album on March 26, 2002, through their own IM3 label imprint, in partnership with the now-defunct Landspeed Records.
With hardcore street bangers like “IM3,” “Killa Queens,” and “B.I.G. T.W.I.N.S.,” along with the neck-snapping “Mobb Ni**as,” the album edged its way into Billboard’s Top 20 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, peaking at the number five spot on their Independent Albums chart. In addition to a supporting cast that includes Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, Chinky, and the late Hostyle (of Screwball), among others, much of the album’s success can be credited to The Alchemist, whose sinister trademark sound emanates throughout the tracklist, with additional production supplied by Havoc, DJ Muggs, and others.
Considered by many Q-Boro rap aficionados as a “Queensbridge holy grail,” the trio delivers high-octane synergy throughout the album’s 16 tracks, characterized by true-to-life street tales of life in the Bridge.
Tracklist:
Side A
A1. Intro
A2. IM3
A3. Born Again (feat. Hostyle)
A4. Killa Queens (feat. Prodigy, Big Noyd)
A5. Special Edition
A6. I Rep
A7. The Family [skit]
A8. Mobb Ni**az [the Sequel] (feat. Prodigy)
A9. Reality Rap (feat. Blitz, Kaos, Uno-Dos)
Side C
B1. Make A Livin’ (feat. V-12, Chinky)
B2. We Don’t Give A… (feat. Havoc)
B3. Back In The Days (feat. Chinky)
B4. B.I.G. T.W.I.N.S.
B5. We Strive (feat. Ty-Maxx)
B6. We Will Survive (feat. Chinky)
B7. War
B8. Get High Get Bent
Album Specs:
This special edition release marks the first time this album has ever been reissued on cassette, or any other format. Cassette packaging is presented in a renovated black and gold layout with gold cassette shells, and features images from the original David Corio photoshoot. Layout updates and design by Jelle Smid.
Critical Praise:
“Special Edition is ultimately what you'd expect it to be: Queensbridge-style hardcore rap influenced by Mobb Deep and Nas.” -AllMusic
