| Hell on Earth | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Mobb Deep | |
|
Released |
November 19, 1996 |
|
Recorded |
July 1995 - March 1996 |
|
Studio |
Platinum Island Recording Studios |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
61:35 |
|
Label |
Loud Records / RCA / BMG |
|
Producer |
Matt Life (exec.), Mobb Deep (also exec.), Schott Free (exec.) |
| Mobb Deep chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Previous |
The Infamous (1995) |
|
Next |
Murda Muzik (1999) |
Hell on Earth is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Mobb Deep, released in November 19, 1996 on Loud Records, RCA Records and BMG Records. Recording sessions took place at Platinum Island Recording Studios and Axis Recording Studios in New York City from July 1995 to March 1996. The album is largely a continuation of Mobb Deep's previous album, the critically acclaimed The Infamous. The album is produced entirely by the duo and has a more atmospheric type of production, with many classic piano and soul samples utilised. It features guest appearances by rappers Illa Ghee, Nas, Raekwon, Method Man, Infamous Mobb members Big Twins and Ty Nitty and frequent collaborator Big Noyd.
Since most of the album was recorded during the height of the East Coast-West Coast rivalry, many fans considered the darker songs to be subliminal disses towards 2Pac and other West Coast artists. The song "Drop a Gem on 'Em" is a response to 2Pac's diss track "Hit 'Em Up".
Hell on Earth was met with positive reviews from music critics and is considered by many to be among the duo's best work. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1997.
Track listing[edit | edit source]
All songs produced by Mobb Deep.
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Animal Instinct" | Havoc, Prodigy, Ty Knitty, Gambino | Abdul Raheem, Chandler, Johnson, Muchita | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Drop a Gem on 'Em" | Havoc, Prodigy | Johnson, Muchita | 4:18 |
| 3. | "Bloodsport" | Havoc, Prodigy | Johnson, Muchita | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Extortion" | Havoc, Prodigy, Method Man | Johnson, Muchita, Smith | 3:32 |
| 5. | "More Trife Life" | Havoc | Muchita | 3:45 |
| 6. | "Man Down" | Prodigy, Havoc, Big Noyd | Johnson, Muchita, Perry | 5:03 |
| 7. | "Can't Get Enough of It" | Havoc, General G, Prodigy | Jackson, Johnson, Muchita | 4:52 |
| 8. | "Nighttime Vultures" | Prodigy, Havoc, Raekwon | Johnson, Muchita, Woods | 4:30 |
| 9. | "G.O.D. Pt. III" | Prodigy, Havoc | Johnson, Moroder, Muchita | 5:17 |
| 10. | "Get Dealt With" | Prodigy, Havoc | Johnson, Muchita | 3:56 |
| 11. | "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" | Prodigy, Havoc | Johnson, Muchita | 4:34 |
| 12. | "Give It Up Fast" | Nas, Havoc, Big Noyd, Prodigy | Johnson, Jones, Muchita, Perry | 4:01 |
| 13. | "Still Shinin'" | Prodigy, Havoc | Johnson, Muchita | 4:11 |
| 14. | "Apostle's Warning" | Havoc, Prodigy | Johnson, Muchita | 4:02 |
Samples[edit | edit source]
Animal Instinct
- "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
- "That's Where the Happy People Go" by The Trammps
Drop a Gem On 'Em
- "Ain't No Sunshine" by Michael Jackson
- "Can't Help But Love You" by The Whispers
- "You Are My Sunshine" by Aretha Franklin
Extortion
- "Can You Remember" by The Jackson 5
Can't Get Enough It
- "Las Vegas Tango" by Gary Burton
- "Pretty Tony's Philosophy" from The Mack
G.O.D Part III
- "Fool Yourself" by Little Feat
- "Tony's Theme" by Giorgio Moroder
Give It Up Fast
- "Opening Theme" by Joe Delia
Still Shinin'
- "Hospital Prelude of Love Theme" by Willie Hutch
Apostle's Warning
- "People Make the World Go Round" by Michael Jackson
