4,5,6 is the debutstudio album by American rapper Kool G Rap, released on September 26, 1995, on Cold Chillin' Records. The release followed his break-up with DJ Polo in 1993. The album was mostly received neutrally among critics, but was warmly accepted by underground fans. Despite the album's dark, grimy street sound, it peaked at number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the single "Fast Life" charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The album features guest appearances from B1, MF Grimm, and Nas, as well as production from Dr. Butcher, Naughty Shorts, T-Ray, and Buckwild of D.I.T.C. It would also be Cold Chillin' Records' final release before it went defunct in 1997.
Background and recording
Following the critical acclaim of a three-album run with D.J Polo, Road to the Riches, and Live and Let Die, Kool G Rap chose to concentrate his efforts in a more underground direction, in continuation with the sound on his albums with D.J. Polo. In early 1993 Kool G Rap separated from D.J. Polo in the aftermath of the media controversy surrounding the cover art of their previous album Live and Let Die. The cover which depicted two police officers being hanged followed the Cop Killer controversy involving Time Warner & 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. Live and Let Die was eventually released and distributed independently by Cold Chillin' in 1992. In 1995 Cold Chillin' signed a distribution deal with Epic of which 4,5,6 was the first to be released under the new deal. For the recording of 4,5,6 Kool G Rap retreated to the rural wilds of Bearsville, New York.
Composition
Content
In contrast to his previous albums with D.J. Polo, 4,5,6 has Kool G Rap returning to a mafioso theme of which he is credited as the originator. An example of the mafioso content on the album can be seen in the opening verse of It's a Shame: The title track "4,5,6" depicts the urban street game of Cee-lo and how the game is played along with rhymes of a braggadocio nature and his success and skill at Cee-lo. The song starts with the notes from Mysterious Traveler by The Weather Report which are used throughout the entire song and give the song a very dark street sound. The second single "It's a Shame" contains a prime example of mafioso themes and self boasting. In the song, Kool G Rap portrays himself as a heroin kingpin from a first person prospective, boasting of his wealth, power and extravagant lifestyle. However, it is implied that he harbors a sense of remorse over his choice of trade, with the chorus stating: "Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler" The song "For Da Brothaz" details the falling of his friends and the unforgiving struggle on the streets of New York. On the album's lead single "Fast Life", Kool G Rap and Nas rap about their business ventures and mafioso lifestyle. The video for the single revolves around the construction of the mythical "Fast Life Hotel and Casino".
Track listing
;Sample credits
"4,5,6" samples "Mysterious Traveller" by Weather Report.
