4,5,6

4,5,6
Studio album by Kool G Rap
Released	September 26, 1995
Recorded	July 1994 - March 1995
Studio	Bearsville Studios (Woodstock, New York) Sony Music Studios (Manhattan, New York)
Genre	Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop, mafioso rap, Underground hip hop, Boom bap
Length	42:13
Label	Cold Chillin' Records / Epic Records
Producer	Buckwild, T-Ray, Naughty Shorts, Dr. Butcher

4,5,6 is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Kool G Rap. It was released on September 26, 1995 via Cold Chillin' Records. The album's title signifies the winning combination at the urban street game of cee-lo. Recording sessions took place at Bearsville Studios and Sony Music Studios New York City from July 1994 to March 1995. Production was handled by T-Ray, Buckwild, Dr. Butcher and Naughty Shorts. it includes guest appearances from Nas, Sean Brown, B-1 and MF Grimm.

Following the critical acclaim of a three album run with DJ Polo, Kool G Rap decided to concentrate his efforts in a more underground direction, in continuation with the sound of his albums with DJ Polo. In 1993, Kool G Rap separated from DJ Polo in the aftermath of the media controversy surrounding the cover art of their previous effort Live and Let Die. The cover depicted two police officers being hanged - followed the "Cop Killer" controversy involving Time Warner and Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros Records ultimately refused to distribute Live and Let Die, resulting in the termination of its contract with Cold Chillin' Records. In 1994, Cold Chillin' signed a distribution deal with Epic Records, of which 4,5,6 was the first to be released under the new deal. It would also be Cold Chillin' Records final release before the label went defunct in 1997.

The album reached at #24 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. 4,5,6 was supported by the singles: "It's a Shame" and "Fast Life" (which made it to #74 on the Billboard Hot 100).

Track listing

1. "Intro" - 1:03
2. "4,5,6" - 3:21
3. "It's a Shame" (feat. Sean Brown) - 4:04
4. "Take 'Em to War" (feat. B-1 and MF Grimm) - 3:45
5. "Executioner Style" - 4:07
6. "For Da Brothaz" - 3:45
7. "Blowin' Up in the World" - 4:26
8. "Fast Life" (feat. Nas) - 4:55
9. "Ghetto Knows" - 4:29
10. "It's a Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)" - 3:10
11. "Money on My Brain" (feat. B-1 and MF Grimm) - 4:53
12. "Fast Life (Remix)" * - 3:46

Samples

4,5,6

• "Mysterious Traveller" by Weather Report
• "Guitar Blues Odyssey: From Roots to Fruits" by Quincy Jones
• "N.Y. State of Mind" by Nas

It's a Shame

• "Love Is for Fools" by Southside Movement

Take 'Em to War

• "Queen of Downs" by Giant (Funk Band)
• "A Divine Image" by David Axelrod

Executioner Style

• "Leroy the Magician" by Gary Burton

For Da Brothaz

• "Soulsides" by Art Farmer
• "Power of Soul" by Idris Muhammad

Blowin' Up in the World

• "Gettin' Down for Xmas" by Milly & Silly
• "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell

Fast Life

• "Happy" by Surface

Ghetto Knows

• "You Can Fly" by Sons of Champlin

It's a Shame (Da Butcher's Mix)

• "Bamboo Child" by Ryo Kawasaki

Money on My Brain

• "Overnight Sensation" by Avalanche
• "Chameleon" by Herbie Hancock

Fast Life (Remix)

• "Clear" by Spirit
• "Nobody Beats the Biz" by Biz Markie feat. TJ Swan