Bastard (Genesys album): Difference between revisions

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''Bastard'' was supported by four singles: "{{W|Life's a Bitch (song)|Life's a Bitch}}" featuring Zaa and Olu Dara, "{{W|N.Y. State of Mind|L.A. State of Mind}}", "{{W|Survival of the Fittest (song)|Survival of the Fittest}}" featuring [[Roc Steady]], and "{{W|Triumph (song)|Triumph}}" featuring The Throne. The album debuted on number 1 on the ''Sunset'' 100 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 322,000 units in its 1st week of release. The album received rave reviews from most music critics, who praised its production and Genesys' lyricism. Since its initial reception, ''Bastard'' has been recognized by writers and music critics as a landmark album in Styxie hip hop.

Recording for what would later become ''Bastard'' predominately took place at Dungeon in Porciúncula, Flashing Lights studios in [[Bernheim]], with the album's mixing and final production occurring at Bomber's Hall in [[San Francisco City]]. Genesys would initially record music over a four-day period in the Dungeon in November 1994 with producers Doc Dre and Big Dolla. While they had supposedly recorded over three hours of material, only one song from these sessions would make the final cut, being "Halftime". After performing at the 1994 Bernheim New Year's Eve Concert, Genesys would start recording in Bernheim in January 1995 after being inspired by the neighborhoods him and his entourage would drive by, reminding him of cities in San Jose. Initially scheduled for two-weeks, Genesys would travel to The Cave music venue to witness the nightly activity of rap battles that had become popularized a year prior. After being impressed by the numerous acts present, Genesys would form the rap group The Throne with rappers Zaa, Killer Woo, [[Roc Steady]], and MAC-12, along with producers H.E.S. and C-Side, signing them to Genesys' newly-formed record label under Interscope, nuwrld. With The Throne, Genesys would spend an additional two months recording in Bernheim, working on his solo album and what would later become The Throne's debut album, ''Truly Humbled Under God'' (1995), at the same time.  

==Reception==

In 2002, ''La Brea Times'' reappraised the album and gave it a perfect rating, stating: "Genesys' thugged-out entertainment and The Throne's sonic production on cuts like the bone-chilling 'L.A. State of Mind'  ... proved to be timeless street joints in the same vein as 'Straight Outta Styxie'. The album was a staple for all hardheaded delinquents comin' up in the game." In 2004, ''Sierra Media'' critic Chris Ryan called it "one of the greatest rap albums of the [1990s]". ''La Brea Times'' gave it a classic rating in its retrospective December 2012 issue. In 2019, hip-hop journalist Carl Savage hailed ''Bastard'' as "an iconic Styxie record".  

===Controversy===

Numerous tracks on ''Bastard'' feature subliminal disses aimed at Rakeem Wallace. The ninth track, "Soul Food", is the most forward with these disses, and has been lauded by critics as "the most hard-core Genesys has ever been." The ferocity of Genesys' raging vocals, as said by long-time collaborator and producer MAC-12, was entirely authentic. He later explained that Genesys was initially fueled by his anger against Wallace and Common Boy Records for the belief that they had a role in the May 1993 shooting targeting the rapper. He claimed that Wallace and his crew knew of his shooting and wanted him dead after a tense recording session and Wallace collaborating with Genesys' former group, A.N.D.. In response, Genesys used this fury, which long-time collaborator H.E.S. described as "superhuman", to attack Wallace and his former group, as well as proclaiming himself as the "King of New York". MAC-12 also stated that he had never seen Genesys so angry and that the words he rapped were in no way an act.

Additional subliminal disses on the record were noted to be against Godsun along with A.N.D., the Disciplez, Rakki, and B Monie.

==Track listing==

{{Track listing

| extra8        = {{nowrap begin}} MAC-12{{·w}} H.E.S. {{nowrap end}}  

| length8      = 4:19

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'''Notes'''