Livin' Proof
Encyclopedia
Livin' Proof is the debut album from Gang Starr
affiliates Group Home
. The album featured the hit underground single "Supa Star" and featured the acclaimed production work of the legendary DJ Premier
. The album is known both for the supposed sub-par rhyming and superior instrumental work. It is widely considered to be Premier's most focused work to date but is often overshadowed by his work with more proficient emcees. Premier produced every song on the album except for "Serious Rap Shit" and "4 Give My Sins," which were produced by Guru
and Big Jaz
, respectively. "Supa Star" also appeared in the soundtrack of the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV
.
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
affiliates Group Home
Group Home
Group Home is a hip hop duo, composed of members Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker . They came to prominence as members of the Gang Starr Foundation. Lil' Dap made his rhyming debut on Gang Starr's 1992 classic Daily Operation on the song "I'm the Man"...
. The album featured the hit underground single "Supa Star" and featured the acclaimed production work of the legendary DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
. The album is known both for the supposed sub-par rhyming and superior instrumental work. It is widely considered to be Premier's most focused work to date but is often overshadowed by his work with more proficient emcees. Premier produced every song on the album except for "Serious Rap Shit" and "4 Give My Sins," which were produced by Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
and Big Jaz
Jaz-O
Jonathan Burks better known by his stage name Jaz-O, is an American rapper and record producer active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, best known for being the mentor of Jay-Z. Jaz is also known as the Originator and had a song called "The Originators" that featured a young Jay-Z in 1990...
, respectively. "Supa Star" also appeared in the soundtrack of the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV is a 2008 open world action video game published by Rockstar Games, and developed by British games developer Rockstar North. It has been released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and for the Windows operating system...
.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
*Introduction* |
| 2 | "Inna-Citi Life" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 3 | "Livin' Proof" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 4 | "Serious Rap Shit" | Guru Guru (rapper) Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts... |
Guru Guru (rapper) Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts... , Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker, Big Shug Big Shug Big Shug is a hip hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of the Gang Starr Foundation collective.-Biography:... |
| 5 | "Suspended in Time" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker, Jeru the Damaja Jeru the Damaja Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since high school.-Biography:... (outro) |
| 6 | "Sacrifice" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Absaloot, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 7 | "Up Against the Wall (Low Budget Mix)" |
DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 8 | "4 Give My Sins" | Jaz-O Jaz-O Jonathan Burks better known by his stage name Jaz-O, is an American rapper and record producer active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, best known for being the mentor of Jay-Z. Jaz is also known as the Originator and had a song called "The Originators" that featured a young Jay-Z in 1990... |
Melachi the Nutcracker, Lil' Dap |
| 9 | "Baby Pa" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap |
| 10 | "2 Thousand" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 11 | "Supa Star" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Melachi the Nutcracker, Lil' Dap |
| 12 | "Up against tha Wall (Getaway Car Mix)" |
DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 13 | "Tha Realness" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Smiley the Ghetto Child, Lil' Dap, Black Star, Jack the Ripper |
| [Japan / Netherlands Bonus Track] | |||
| 14 | "So-Called Friends" | DJ Premier DJ Premier Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru... |
Lil' Dap, Melachi the Nutcracker |
Samples Used
Source: Rap Sample FAQ- "Intro"
- "Yesterday" by Wes MontgomeryWes MontgomeryJohn Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including Pat Martino, George Benson, Russell Malone, Emily...
- "Yesterday" by Wes Montgomery
- "Inna Citi Life"
- "Nautilus" by Bob JamesBob James (musician)Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
- "It Ain't Hard To TellIt Ain't Hard to Tell"It Ain't Hard to Tell" is Nas' second single and last track from his debut album Illmatic. Produced by Large Professor, the song samples Michael Jackson's 1983 hit single "Human Nature", "N.T." by Kool & the Gang, "Why Can't People Be Colors Too?" by The Whatnauts, "Long Red" by Mountain & "Slow...
" by NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
- "Nautilus" by Bob James
- "Livin' Proof"
- "Collage" by Ramsey LewisRamsey LewisRamsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
- "In Our Lifetime" by Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
- "C.R.E.A.M." by Wu-Tang ClanWu-Tang ClanThe Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
- "Impeach the President" by the Honey Drippers (drums)
- "Collage" by Ramsey Lewis
- "Serious Rap Shit"
- "Birdland" by Weather ReportWeather ReportWeather Report was an American jazz-rock band of the 1970s and early 1980s. The band was co-led by the Austrian-born keyboard player Joe Zawinul and the American saxophonist Wayne Shorter...
- "Birdland" by Weather Report
- "Suspended In Time"
- "Pipeline" by Incredible Bongo BandIncredible Bongo BandThe Incredible Bongo Band, also known as Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band, was a project started in 1972 by Michael Viner, a record artist manager and executive at MGM Records. Viner was called on to supplement the soundtrack to the virtually anonymous B film The Thing With Two Heads. The...
- "Real Hip-Hop" by Das EFXDas EFXDas EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dray...
- "Pipeline" by Incredible Bongo Band
- "Sacrifice"
- "What Do I Wish For" by The Chi-LitesThe Chi-LitesThe Chi-Lites are a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period not to come from Memphis or Philadelphia...
- "The Breakthrough" by Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
- "Crack Featuring Pete The Fly" by Paul Mooney
- "What Do I Wish For" by The Chi-Lites
- "Up Against Tha Wall"
- "Windows of the World" by Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
- "Red Sails in the Sunset" by Young-Holt UnlimitedYoung-Holt UnlimitedYoung-Holt Unlimited were an American soul and jazz instrumental musical ensemble from Chicago, Illinois.Drummer Isaac "Red" Holt and bassist Eldee Young, formerly members of Ramsey Lewis' jazz trio, formed a new outfit called the Young-Holt Trio with pianist Don Walker in 1966...
- "Supa Star" by Group Home
- "Windows of the World" by Isaac Hayes
- "4 Give My Sins"
- "Da-Da" by HiroshimaHiroshima (band)Hiroshima is an American jazz fusion/smooth jazz band formed in 1974 by Sansei Japanese American Dan Kuramoto , Peter Hata , June Kuramoto , Johnny Mori , Dave Iwataki and Danny Yamamoto...
- "Hustlin'" by Smoothe da HustlerSmoothe da HustlerDamon Smith, better known as Smoothe da Hustler is an American rapper who was signed to Profile Records in the mid-90s.Smoothe came to prominence in 1995 with his debut single "Broken Language", a duet with his little brother Trigger tha Gambler...
- "Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest (song)"Survival of the Fittest" is the second single from Mobb Deep's The Infamous album. The song was the duo's second hit single from the album, following "Shook Ones Pt. II". The track peaked at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and hit the Top 10 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The song is similar to...
" by Mobb DeepMobb DeepMobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
- "Da-Da" by Hiroshima
- "Baby Pa"
- "The Golden Apple" by Bob JamesBob James (musician)Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
- "The Golden Apple" by Bob James
- "2 Thousand"
- "I Feel Like Loving You Today" by Donald ByrdDonald ByrdDonaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a...
- "I Feel Like Loving You Today" by Donald Byrd
- "Supa Star"
- "He's a Runner" by The 5th Dimension
- "Funky President" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Hangin' Downtown" by CameoCameo (band)Cameo is an American soul-influenced funk group that formed in the early 1970s. Cameo was initially a 13-member group known as the New York City Players; this name was later changed to Cameo to avoid a lawsuit from Ohio Players, another group from that era. Since then, Cameo has recorded several...
- "One Woman" by Isaac Hayes
- "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly and the Family Stone
- "Tender Loving Care" by Nancy Wilson
- "I'm The Man" and "Words from The Nutcracker" by Gang Starr
- "Tha Realness"
- "Valley of the Shadows" by Bob JamesBob James (musician)Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
- "Shook Ones (Part II)" by Mobb Deep
- "Valley of the Shadows" by Bob James
Album Chart Positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | ||
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | Top Heatseekers | ||
| 1995 | Livin Proof | - | #34 | #12 |
Singles Chart Positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | ||
| 1994 | "Supa Star" | #85 | #85 | #19 | #8 |
| "Livin' Proof" | - | - | #26 | #5 | |
| 1995 | "Suspended In Time" | - | #82 | #34 | #10 |