The Awakening (Lord Finesse album)

The Awakening
Studio album by
Lord Finesse
ReleasedFebruary 20, 1996
Recorded1995
StudioChung King Studios (New York City)
Soundtrack Studios (New York City)
Giant Studios (New York City)
Power Play Studios (Long Island City)
Genre
Length51:48
LabelPenalty
ProducerLord Finesse
Lord Finesse chronology
Return of the Funky Man
(1992) 		The Awakening
(1996)
Singles from The Awakening
  1. "Hip 2 Da Game"
    Released: October 28, 1995
  2. "Gameplan"
    Released: January 9, 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Source[2]

The Awakening is the third and final album by the hip hop artist Lord Finesse, released in 1996. Unlike his first two albums, The Awakening features a large number of album guests, including O.C., KRS-One, Marquee, A.G., Diamond D, Large Professor and Brand Nubian's Sadat X and Grand Puba. Doo-Wop, O.C., MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz and Kid Capri appear on interludes throughout the album. The album features the single "Hip 2 Da Game" and the hidden track "Actual Facts".

Music videos

There have been music videos for the tracks "Hip 2 Da Game", "Actual Facts" & "Gameplan". "Gameplan" features a cameo from Big L.

Big L appears during the chorus for “Food for Thought”

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Da Sermon (Intro)"2:16
2."Time ta Bounce" (featuring Doo-Wop)1:22
3."True and Livin'"4:42
4."O'Lord" (featuring O.C.)1:22
5."Brainstorm/P.S.K. (No Gimmicks Remix)" (featuring KRS-One and O.C.)4:46
6."Taking It Lyte" (featuring MC Lyte)1:06
7."Gameplan"5:10
8."Words from Da Ak" (featuring Akinyele)1:34
9."Flip Da Style"3:43
10."Showtime" (featuring Showbiz)1:04
11."Speak Ya Peace" (featuring Marquee, Diamond, and A.G.)4:55
12."Food for Thought"4:05
13."Da Kid Himself" (featuring Kid Capri)0:45
14."Hip 2 Da Game"4:03
15."No Gimmicks" (featuring KRS-One)5:46
16."Actual Facts" (featuring Grand Puba, Large Professor, Sadat X)5:09
Total length:51:48
  • Note: "Actual Facts" is not listed anywhere on the jacket on CD or vinyl editions; the track was listed as a "bonus track" on a promotional sticker on the cover. The vinyl edition places the track after "Gameplan".

Charts

Album

Chart (1996) Peak
position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[3] 36

Singles

Year Song Chart positions
Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1995 "Hip 2 Da Game" 36 42
1996 "Actual Facts" 37 32

References

  1. ^ Mills, Brad. The Awakening at AllMusic
  2. ^ http://hiphop-thegoldenera.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/album-review-lord-finesse-awakening-1996.html. Inserted picture of Source review.
  3. ^ "Lord Finesse Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2016.