The Realness

The Realness is the debut studio album by American rapper Cormega. It features guest appearances from Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi, as well as production from Havoc of Mobb Deep, J-Love, and The Alchemist, among others.[1] It was released via Legal Hustle Records and LandSpeed Records.

Not to be confused with Realness (RuPaul album).
The Realness
Studio album by
Cormega
ReleasedJuly 24, 2001
Recorded2000–2001
GenreEast Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop
Length49:43
LabelLegal Hustle, LandSpeed
Producer
Cormega chronology
The Realness
(2001)		 The True Meaning
(2002)
Singles from The Realness
  1. "You Don't Want It"
    Released: 2000
  2. "Get Out My Way"
    Released: September 25, 2001

The Realness was re-released in 2007 with The True Meaning, Cormega's second album from 2002, in a double special-edition package. The album's sequel, The Realness II, was released on October 7, 2022.

Background

Cormega rose to fame in the mid-90s as an original member of The Firm hip hop group, along with Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown, appearing on the song "Affirmative Action" from the Nas album It Was Written.[2] After being booted from the group, Cormega signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, and recorded his first album The Testament. The album was eventually shelved, and Cormega was dropped from label, joining LandSpeed Records for his first official release.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]
HipHopDX[4]
RapReviews7/10[5]

The Realness received mostly positive reviews. J-23 of HipHopDX praised the album's production, calling it a "pleasant surprise".[4] Matt Conaway of AllMusic stated that the album paints Cormega as "one of the most promising thug poets to emerge in quite sometime".[3]

Track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Dramatic Entrance"J-Love2:18
2."American Beauty"Cormega2:03
3."Thun & Kicko" (featuring Prodigy)Havoc3:56
4."The Saga"Big Ty4:00
5."R U My Nigga?"Jae Supreme3:18
6."Unforgiven"Spank Brother2:06
7."Fallen Soldiers"J-love3:39
8."Glory Days"Jae Supreme3:22
9."Rap's a Hustle"Ayatollah3:38
10."Get Out My Way"Sha Money XL4:29
11."You Don't Want It"Godfather Don2:56
12."5 for 40" 0:47
13."They Forced My Hand" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)Spunk Bigga4:01
14."Fallen Soldiers (Remix)"The Alchemist4:27
15."Killaz Theme II (Hidden Track)" (featuring Mobb Deep)Havoc4:07
Total length:49:43

Sample credits

  • American Beauty
  • R U My Nigga?
    • "Night Moves" by Frank McDonald
  • Unforgiven'
  • Rap's a Hustle
  • Fallen Soldiers
  • They Forced My Hand
    • "Signal Your Intention" by Hodges, James and Smith
  • Glory Days
  • You Don't Want It
  • Fallen Soldiers (Remix)
    • "Time" by Morning, Noon & Night

Charts
Chart (2001) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[6] 111
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7] 24
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[8] 4

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label
Various 2001 Cassette LandSpeed
Vinyl
CD
2014 Digital download Slimstyle
Streaming

References
  1. Weinstein, Max (July 24, 2016). "THE MAKING OF CORMEGA'S 'THE REALNESS'". XXL. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  2. "The Making of Nas' "It Was Written"". Complex. May 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  3. Conaway, Matt. "Cormega - The Realness Review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  4. J-23 (September 2, 2001). "Cormega - The Realness". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  5. Mr. S (October 20, 2001). "Cormega :: The Realness :: Landspeed Records". RapReviews. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. "Cormega Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  7. "Cormega Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  8. "Cormega Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
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