Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones

Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones
Studio album by Sticky Fingaz
Released	May 22, 2001
Recorded	1998-2000
Studio	Unique Studios, NYC LoRider Studios, Englewood, NJ
Genre	East Coast hip hop, Hardcore rap, Underground hip hop
Length	70:51
Label	Universal Records
Producer	Self, Bud'da, Rockwilder, DJ Scratch, Nottz, Chuckie Madness, Epitome, Joe Naughty, Shamello, Fran Lover, Spydaman, Damon Elliott, Big D Evans, Mike "Punch" Harper, Sticky Fingaz
Sticky Fingaz chronology
Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones (2001) Decade: "...but wait it gets worse" (2003)
Singles from Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones
"Get It Up" Released: July 11, 2000 "Come On" Released: February, 2001 "Ghetto" Released: April, 2001 "Baby Brother" Released: August 28, 2001

Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones is the first solo album by Onyx member Sticky Fingaz, released on May 22, 2001 by Universal Records. Scripted like a movie, the concept album portrays the fictional character Kirk Jones, a felon just released from prison who is now struggling to come to terms with life outside jail.

Blacktrash was produced by several producers including Self, Bud'da, Rockwilder, DJ Scratch, Nottz, Damon Elliott and others. It features guest appearances from Onyx's affiliate X1, Black Child, Raekwon, Still Livin, Canibus, Rah Digga, Redman, Dave Hollister, Petey Pablo, Eminem, Fredro Starr (as Firestarr), actor Omar Epps and others.

Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones debuted at number 44 on the US Billboard 200, and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

Background

In 1998, Sticky Fingaz planned to release a solo album on Def Jam, but under a contract with the label, Lyor Cohen had to give him only $250,000 to record an album. It was not enough, so Sticky decided to release the album on another label. He had filed bankruptcy to get out of his Def Jam agreement and I went out to LA. He reached out to Dr. Dre. The first song he recorded was "Remember Me?", which was originally supposed to be on the Dr. Dre's new album Chronic 2001, but eventually came out on Eminem's third album The Marshall Mathers LP. Sticky planned to make a solo deal with Dr. Dre's label Aftermath. But when he went back to New York to sign his friend X1 to Universal Records, he received an offer from Universal after listening to Sticky's new songs. They gave him a proposal for $800,000 which he later agreed.^[1]

"...They were like 'X1 is dope, but we want to sign you'. And they gave me a proposal for $800,000. Dre had gone to Jimmy Iovine and told him that I wanted a million dollars, but Jimmy Iovine said he would only give me $500,000. Well, I always wonder what would have happened if I had signed with Dre instead of Universal. But that $300,000 difference was the money that I used to buy my mother the first house that she ever owned in her entire life, so I would never change that."

Dr. Dre helped Sticky Fingaz come up with idea making an album that sounded like a movie.^[2] Sticky going to release the movie "Black Trash", but no one funded it. Also he was supposed to go on huge tour and the day before the tour he broke his foot in some bar room brawl.^[3][4]

Recording and production

On the track "State Vs Kirk Jones" Sticky Fingaz wrote the verses for all artists and got everyone to say it, and everyone made their own adjustments. But Canibus wrote his own verse entirely.^[5] X1 and Canibus was about to fight inside the studio.

Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit was originally supposed to be on the song "What If I Was White", but he refused to participate in this song. And then Sticky asked Eminem, but he also refused, then Fingaz asked him to record at least the chorus for this song.^[4]

Slipknot was supposed to be on the album, Sticky recorded two songs with them that never made the album: "End Of The World" recorded with Corey Taylor and the song "Oh My God", which was originally in metal style.^[4]

The original solo version of "What If I Was White" was included on a 1998 mixtape Street Sweepers Pt. 4 by DJ Kay Slay and Dazon.^[6]

In the original version of the song "Wonderful World" was a completely different lyrics, but the copyright holders of the Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World" did not like this cover. After that, Sticky Fingaz wrote them a detailed letter asking for it, and they gave him permission on one condition: he could not change a single word from the Louis Armstrong's song.^[4]

Produced and featured by Dr. Dre, the song "Just Do It", was recorded especially for this album, but never got on the album. The track was also appeared on the soundtrack for the John Singleton film, Baby Boy.^[7]

Lyrics

The album begins with an intro, introducing us to a newly released from prison Kirk Jones. The scene shows Kirk coming to his old friend Bruce's house, and they decide to go somewhere to celebrate. On the song "My Dogz Iz My Gunz" Sticky raps about his dogs being guns. Kirk Jones and his friend Bruce come to a club, where Kirk meets his longtime enemy, with whom he had a beef. Kirk asks Bruce to beat the enemy together, but Bruce refuses. Instead, he gives Kirk a gun. Sammy, Kirk's enemy, is sitting in the car with his girlfriend, when he sees Kirk, he takes a gun and gets out of the car to figure it out. During the shootout, Kirk shot his longtime enemy. Kirk gets into Bruce's car. Bruce tells Kirk that he is injured and that he needs to go to the hospital, Kirk of course refuses. After Kirk shot his enemy near the club, he refuses to go out, feels invincible. The song "Not Die'n" also shows us the state of mind of Kirk Jones.

Omar Epps playing the role of Kirk's conscience tells us the flow of thoughts in Kirk Jones's head, while Kirk himself smokes a little weed two weeks after the shooting. Kirk, coming home, finds his house robbed on Christmas Eve. "Money Talks" is a story on behalf of the money itself. Money talks about the role they play in a person's life. The song really makes us think. Raekwon is on the hook. Kirk Jones and Bruce come to the gun dealer to buy a gun from him. The dealer tells Kirk that he knows about Sammy and that everyone already knows about it. Kirk and Bruce accidentally meet an old friend Dez and talk to him a little in the song "Why". After that, Kirk convinces his friend Bruce to take a little ride on the car. Bruce is driving. Kirk asks to stop and gets out of the car to rob a jewelry store, while Bruce was in the car all the time. After the robbery, hiding on the car from the police, they have an accident, and Bruce dies.

Kirk questions his life in the song "Oh My God". God answers all his questions. The song reflects what is happening in the head of Kirk Jones. Kirk is arrested. On one of the highlights of the album "State Vs Kirk Jones" Rah Digga plays the role of judge, Canibus as the prosecutor, Redman as the defence attorney, as well as Scarred 4 Life, Lord Superb and Guess Who rapping as witnesses. All verses show us the whole court trial. Kirk Jones found guilty. Omar Epps playing the role of Kirk's conscience again tells us what is happening in Kirk's head. This time, Kirk reflects on what brought him to prison and the people he left behind. Kirk orders a telephone conversation with his younger brother in "Baby Brother", in which Kirk tries to dissuade his brother from the route he has chosen. Kirk's girlfriend visits him in prison. While he thought she faithful to him, she has other news. Sticky finds out she's cheating on him. At the end Kirk meets his lawyer, who informs Sticky that his appeal for clemency denied, and it will take time to reconsider his case.

"What Chu Want" is about everything Kirk Jones wanted in life, which led him to prison. Sticky and X1 mention everything you've ever dreamed of. After 10 years of being locked up, Kirk is released from prison and realizes that he is not welcome on the streets after all he has done. "Ghetto" is a kind of comic contrast for a dark album. Kirk is trying to sell weed to one person in order to earn some money after prison. During the conversation, Kirk puts his gun to the forehead of the "buyer" and takes all his money. "What If I Was White" is another comic contrast on the album. Sticky raps about how much easier life could be for him if he was white. Eminem is on the hook. In the scene Kirk quarrels with his girlfriend. After she reminds Kirk of his late brother, he beat her. "Sister I'm Sorry" is very similar to the 2Pac's song "Keep Ya Head Up". Kirk talks about strong women and apologizes for all the evil that men do. At the end Kirk robs and kills another store owner. Kirk running away from the cops in "Get It Up". In the scene Kirk and Fredro Starr rob and kill some passer-by.

Kirk's conscience, told by Omar Epps, reflects that he will return to prison again, but this time he would prefer to die. At the end of "Licken Off In Hip Hop" police find Kirk. Instead of shooting the cops, he turns the gun on himself. Sticky covered Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" at the end of the album.

Releases

An advance copy of "Black Trash" consisted of 34 tracks was released in November, 2000 and had some differences with the official version. "What If I Was White" sounded the same but it didn't yet have Eminem on it. There are also several different skits that don't exist on the final release and the song titles differ from the master release. Also, the explicit version of "Wonderful World" is on it.^[8]

Universal Records had pushed this album back four times, because it was bootlegged in the streets.^[7] The first album release date was scheduled for Halloween, October 31, 2000,^[9] then release date was postponed to November 21, 2000,^[10] but was delayed until February 2001,^[11] and was finally released on May 22, 2001.

Also, in September 2000, Universal Records released a CD promo sampler Scenes From The Album Black Trash (The Autobiography Of Kirk Jones) with seven snippet tracks from the album.^[12]

In 2001, Universal Records released a 12" vinyl promo sampler Selections From The Album Blacktrash: The Autobiography Of Kirk Jones (Clean Versions) with clean versions of six tracks from the album.^[13]

Sticky Fingaz played live tracks from the "Black Trash" album only in April 2001, when he was on tour with Royce Da 5'9" and Nelly.^[7][4][14]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
HipHopDX	[16]
The Source
RapReviews	[17]
Vibe	[18]
Rolling Stone	[19][20]
Uncut	[20]
NME	[20][21]
RateYourMusic	[22]

Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Matt Conaway of AllMusic gave the album three stars out of five, saying "...Scripted to fit the silver screen, Black Trash chronicles the trials and tribulations of Kirk Jones, a down-on-his-luck knucklehead who always manages to find trouble. However, it is hard to feel sympathetic for the character, as he is a man who, through the course of this LP, shows little regard for human life, kills his best friend, beats his wife, and deserts his child. Black Trash is an emotional roller coaster that tackles the quintessential tale of good vs. evil."

Johnny Blaze of Review Hip-Hop gave the album eighty nine out of hundred, and commented "...Blacktrash stil to this day remains criminally underrated. Sticky show you can be thug and stil have a heart. Although it has been said a lot about concept albums you truly do feel as if your watching a movie with Blacktrash. And like all good movies Blacktrash is very creative throughout there really are lots of unique cuts on here. Once you finally get around to hearing you won't forget it, and fall in love with it."^[23]

J-23 of HipHopDX gave the album three and a half stars out of five, stating "...This album showed a lot more maturity than his Onyx showings. Sticky has the potential to be one of the best emcees in Hip Hop instead of just in gangsta rap."

Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews gave the album eight and a half stars out of ten, and stated "...Despite the long delays, Sticky Fingaz' solo is INDEED worth the wait - and worth it's weight in gold."

Neil Drumming of Vibe gave the album three and a half stars out of five, and wrote "...On his first solo album, an engaging fictional account of the life of an ex-con, Sticky finds balance between acting and rapping. Trash proves that Sticky Fingaz is a lot more thoughtful than he used to be. Even if he ain't mad anymore, at least he can still act like it."

Jermaine Hall of The Source gave the album four stars out of five, and commented "... This album, arguably hip-hop's most visual work of the new millenium, is a cinematic experience. Influenced by Hollywood's high-impact action scripts, Sticky puts together a 34-track production that stars Kirk Jones (his government name). And in spite of the lengthy player, Black Trash is a hip-hop treasure." (The Source Magazine, Issue #135 - December, 2000).

Kris Ex of Rolling Stone gave the album three stars out of five, and wrote "...[This] has some great moments....[It] manages to bring some new ideas and energy to the rap game." (Rolling Stone Magazine, Issue #862 - February 15, 2001, page 78).

Uncut gave the album four stars out of five, saying "...Kirk Jones' extraordinary LP merits reassessment: it runs the gamut from satiric outrage to gospel rapprochement..." (Uncut Magazine, Issue 51 - August 2001, page 112).

NME gave the album seven out of ten, and stated "...It had to happen. The frustrated actor/movie director within many a rapper couldn't be suppressed for much longer. Eventually, someone was going to come up with a grandiose, operatic, information-overload spectacle of a concept LP. And that's precisely what the former Onyx frontman Sticky Fingaz has done. All of which all adds up to magic realism, hip-hop style..." (NME Magazine, June 9, 2001, page 40).

Hao Nguyen of Stop The Break said "you're surprised at the level of depth and sincerity Sticky managed to muster."^[24]

Accolades

In 2013, SensCritique placed the album in their list Hip Hop Concept Album.^[25] In 2013, The Word Is Bond listed the album in their list Top 10 Hip Hop Concept Albums.^[26] In 2014, Complex put the album in their list 7 Rap Concept Albums That Would Make Good Movies.^[27] In 2016, HotNewHipHop listed the album in their list Top 10 Narrative-Driven Rap Albums, saying "Like A Prince Among Thieves, Blacktrash follows the story of a fictitious, but believable character named Kirk Jones, and like Ready To Die, things begin with the protagonist getting out of jail."^[28] In 2016, RateYourMusic put the album in their list Top 25 Hip-Hop Concept Albums of All Time.^[29] In 2017, Vinyl Me, Please put the album in their list The 10 Best Hip-Hop Concept Albums To Own On Vinyl.^[30] In 2018, Hip Hop Golden Age listed the album in their list Top 15 Hip Hop Concept Albums, saying "Blacktrash is a perfectly executed concept album which deserves a place in any self-respecting Hip Hop fans music collection."^[31]

Track listing

Personnel

Credits for Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones adapted from AllMusic and CD booklet.^[32][33]

Leftover tracks

• "What If I Was White" (original solo version) (1998)
• "End Of The World" (feat. Corey Taylor of Slipknot) (July 1999)
• "Oh My God" (feat. Corey Taylor of Slipknot) (original metal version) (July 1999)
• "What If I Was White" (without Eminem) (2000)
• "Wonderful World" (original dirty version) (2000)
• "Just Do It" (feat. Dr. Dre) (2000)

Charts

Singles chart positions

References

External links

• Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones at RapGenius
• Blacktrash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones at Discogs
• Music video "Get It Up" featuring Fredro Starr on YouTube