Product Description

In 1990 Grand Daddy I.U., the Barry White of Hip Hop, had cats shook with his dope yet underappreciated debut album "Smooth Assassin". NYC radio showed I.U. love rotating "Sugar Free", because the song had that modified-new-jack-swing sound that exploded between `89 and `92. After his brother, DJ Kay Cee, convinced him to make a demo, I.U. was signed to Cold Chillin' Records. I.U.'s association with the Juice Crew (Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Masta Ace and Craig G) gave people an idea of his capablities. "Smooth Assassin" dropped and emerging NY rappers saw a glimpse into raps' future that placed clever rhymes ahead of showmanship and gaudy clothing. "Something New" is genius. In 1966 James and Bobby Purify hit number six on the pop charts with "I m Your Puppet". Thirty-four years later Cutmaster Cool V and Biz Markie freaked "Puppet" and a generation of b-boys and b-girls got down to a loop their parents sock-hopped to. Lyrically I.U. wrecked the competition with punchy lines that bounce on Markie's drum pattern and float over these classic piano keys. "Soul Touch" is NY scratch rap at its roots and its best. I.U.'s brother Kay Cee provided the cuts and probably found the chorus sample. I.U. is great on this track. Line after line he commands rap cliches before they could be called cliches. The man raps, "So let the soul be heard, `cause it s preferred and that's word to Big Bird", I.U. had this on record way before anyone else. "Smooth Assassin" was entirely produced by the legendary Biz Markie with help from his DJ Cutmaster Cool V, recorded at the infamous Power Play Studios in Queens and engineered by DJ Doc of B.D.P. fame. If you've ever wondered what I.U. stood for, well it's his real name. If you ever wondered when this rare yet classic album from the Cold Chillin' vaults would get the reissue it deserves, well, the time is now.

Track Listing

1. The U Is Smooth
2. Pick Up The Pace
3. Something New
4. I Kick Ass
5. Mass Destruction
6. Gals Dem So Hot
7. Girl In The Mall
8. Kay Cee Is Nasty
9. Nobody Move
10. Dominos
11. Behind Bars
12. Soul Touch
13. This Is A Recording
14. Sugar Free
15. Phuck 'Em Up U
16. Sugar Free (12" Remix/"Old School Beat")
17. Shout Outs

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107082 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Customer Reviews

classic, CLASSIC!!!
I love this album. I actually picked this LP up at a library donation sale for like 10 cents. Damn, what a great album! This is some great old school rap, the U is definitely smooth. Now I just need to find it on CD......

It's BACK
This album is a classic. And now it's back. Traffic Entertainment Group has recently re-issued this cd as well as other old school gems. The Production by Biz Markie is tight. Why IU doesn't have 3 or more albums under his belt is beyond me.

Definitely a classic
I lot of people slept on this album. This one of the only few albums that I have bought that every song is tight. Grand Daddy I.U really did his thing on this album and I got to give it up to Biz Markie on the production side. I totally again with one of the reviewers this album has to be re-release to show these new head listener what a good album suppose to be like. A must have for everyone and a definite classic.