Browse by Label: COLD CHILLIN'

Artist:	KOOL G RAP & DJ POLO
Title:	Wanted: Dead or Alive
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	2CD
Price:	$21.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77508CD

"Marley Marl remained on board, and Large Professor and Eric B. also hopped on to help produce Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's second album. With a wider range of sounds and the expansion of G Rap's lyrical range, Wanted: Dead or Alive is wholly deserving of classic status. The opening 'Streets of New York' remains one of the most thrilling and unique rap singles released; the sparse rhythm, adorned with assured piano runs that complement the song to the point of almost making the song, falls somewhere between a gallop and a strut, and G Rap outlines more vivid scenes than one film could possibly contain. The track cemented their role as East Coast legends and showed Kool G Rap's talent as an adept storyteller like nothing before or since. Likewise, 'Talk Like Sex' is the nastiest, raunchiest thing he ever recorded, with 'I'm pounding you down until your eyeballs pop out' acting as an exemplary claim, as well as one of the few that is printable, made in the song. The boasts, as ever, are in no short supply, but 'Erase Racism' takes a break from the normal proceedings with guest spots from Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie. It's both funny and sobering, with Biz's Three Dog Night chorus providing comic relief after each verse. This album is only part of a major swarm of brilliant rap records from 1990, but it will never be lost in it, and it's important because it's the release that influenced Rakim and Kane to step their game up to levels they didn't know they could go to. Cold Chillin' and Traffic proudly present Wanted: Dead or Alive, available for the first time as a double disc set, including the original album, and a plethora of substantial bonus material, from artwork to audio. With all the songs being digitally re-mastered, this project has been thought out, done right and handled with care, and we hope you enjoy it."

Artist:	KOOL G RAP & DJ POLO
Title:	Live and Let Die
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	2LP
Price:	$21.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77512LP

"A strong case could be made for Live and Let Die as Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's crowning achievement. Who can really say for sure if the controversy surrounding the cover artwork, which shows the duo feeding steaks to a pair of rottweiler's, in front of two noose-necked white men, clouded a proper consensus? The artwork could have been even more graphic according to the liner notes by legendary photography/art director George DuBose. With across-the-board stellar production help from Sir Jinx and Trakmasterz, G Rap (who also produces) continues his no-holds-barred narratives that peaked with Wanted: Dead or Alive's 'Streets of New York,' but most everything on this album comes close to eclipsing that song. 'Ill Street Blues' is practically a sequel, and it manages to use more swanky piano vamps and horn blurts without making for a desperate attempt at capitalizing on a past glory. Few tales of growing up in a life of crime hit harder than the title track, in which G Rap displays the traits, unforced frankness, that unmistakable voice, and a flow that drags you involuntarily along, that made him a legend. The album is one story after another that draws you in without fail and they come at you from several angles. Whether pulling off a train heist, venting sexual frustration, analyzing his psychosis, or lording over the streets, G Rap is a pro at holding a captive audience." Includes 22"x22" poster of the cover.

Artist:	BIZ MARKIE
Title:	The Biz Never Sleeps
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	CD
Price:	$16.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77516CD

"During the golden age of hip-hop, few labels produced as many classic artists and records as Cold Chillin' Records. Among the many artists to come from their now revered ranks is the timeless Biz Markie, the famed 'Clown Prince of Hip Hop.' Biz's reputation for playful and mischievous lyrics and beat-boxing skills has earned him a sterling reputation, not just a mainstay of hip-hop culture, but as a television personality and comedian as well. It's with great pride that we at Traffic Entertainment Group have partnered with Cold Chillin' to deliver this re-issue of his most famous album, The Biz Never Sleeps. The Biz Never Sleeps is considered a standard among golden age hip-hop music, and is a definite must have for any fan of the genre. Released for the first time ever in an extended format this issue comes housed in a handsome six panel digipak and features never before seen photography from original Cold Chillin' art director and photographer George DuBose as well as 12" versions and remixes of the hit singles 'Spring Again' and of course 'Just A Friend,' all previously never available on CD format."

Artist:	MC SHAN
Title:	Q.B. O.G. The Best Of MC Shan
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77517CD

"M.C. Shan is a pioneer and epic figure in hip hop history. The original Queensbridge MC, as a teen he was signed to Cold Chillin' Records and joined his cousin/producer/NYC radio personality, Marley Marl's legendary Juice Crew. After releasing the classic 12"s Beat Biter and Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing, Shan's debut album Down By Law dropped in 1987 on Cold Chillin'. Shan found himself a key player in the noted rivalry the 'Bridge Wars' between his Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions. The feud was started when Shan and Marley released a song called 'The Bridge' (a B-Side to 'Beat Biter,' itself an answer record directed at L.L. Cool J.) KRS-One/BDP responded with 'South Bronx,' and Shan & Marley replied with 'Kill That Noise,' giving Down By Law even more legs. Shan's second album, Born To Be Wild, followed in 1988 and revealed a more b-boy persona of Shan, with production once again by Marley Marl and boasting the title cut and the hit 'Juice Crew Law.' 1990's Play it Again, Shan displayed a more mature style, but it proved to be his last full length. This collection culls all the above singles as well as the 12" vinyl only releases Cocaine, A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste off the Colors Soundtrack as well as the super rare 'Even If I Tore It,' the B-Side of 'Time For Us To Defend Ourselves.'"

Artist:	VA
Title:	Top 4: The Best Of Cold Chillin' Records
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77518CD

"Cold Chillin' Records released some of the most important music in the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer/crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg (d. November 4, 2010), and then with the help of legendary NYC DJ/radio personality Mr. Magic (d. October 2, 2009), most of the label's releases were by members of the Juice Crew, a loosely knit group of artists centered around producer/DJ Marley Marl. Marley along with artists like Biz Markie, M.C. Shan, Kool G Rap and DJ Polo and Roxanne Shante released classic single after classic single, many becoming life long hip hop measuring sticks (Shan's 'The Bridge,' Marley's & Craig G.'s 'Droppin' Science' and Kool G Rap's 'Ill Street Blues') that have set the standard for rap artists of today. The ever charasmatic Biz Markie even gained worldwide commercial success with his quirky anthems 'Just A Friend' and 'Spring Again' and today has a coveted acting spot on the hit children's television show Yo Gabba Gabba! on Nick Jr. All these gems, 15 in all, from Cold Chillin's Top 4 artists, are collected together here in this one handy go to package."

Artist:	BIZ MARKIE
Title:	The Biz Never Sleeps
Label:	COLD CHILLIN'
Format:	PIC. DISC
Price:	$27.00
Catalog #:	TEG 77519LP

"For Black Friday Record Store Day, Biz Markie's landmark release is available as a deluxe, limited edition picture disc. Also included: a musical postcard that plays the Biz's ultimate hit 'Just a Friend' on any turntable! More than just a classic in the old school hip-hop pantheon, The Biz Never Sleeps is Biz Markie's biggest success as a rapper. A certified gold album, it peaked at number 66 on the Billboard 200 charts, and number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts in 1989. The record of course features the Biz's mega-hit 'Just a Friend.' That song, which peaked at number nine on the charts and was named one of VH1's 100 Greatest Songs in Hip-Hop, is also featured on the included (and playable on any turntable) musical postcard."

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