El Niño (Def Squad album)

El Niño is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Def Squad, composed of rappers Redman, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray. It was released on June 30, 1998 via Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Dix Hills, New York. Production was handled by Erick Sermon and Redman. It features guest appearances from Biz Markie, Mally G, Too $hort and the Drama Squad.

El Niño
Studio album by
Def Squad
ReleasedJune 30, 1998 (1998-06-30)
Recorded1997-1998
StudioMirror Image Recordings
(Dix Hills, New York)
GenreHip hop
Length50:42
LabelDef Jam
Producer
Singles from El Niño
  1. "Full Cooperation"
    Released: April 14, 1998
Erick Sermon chronology
Double or Nothing
(1995)		 El Niño
(1998)		 Erick Onasis
(2000)
Redman chronology
Muddy Waters
(1996)		 El Niño
(1998)		 Doc's da Name 2000
(1998)
Keith Murray chronology
Enigma
(1996)		 El Niño
(1998)		 It's a Beautiful Thing
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Los Angeles Times[2]
Muzik[3]
The Source4/5[4]

The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and number-one spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 29, 1998. Its lead single, "Full Cooperation", peaked at #51 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, at #11 on the Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales, at #63 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The song "Countdown" was released as promotional single. The song "Ride Wit Us" later appeared on Keith Murray's third album It's a Beautiful Thing.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Shower" (Intro)R. NobleRedman1:38
2."Check N' Me Out"
Erick Sermon3:54
3."Countdown" (featuring Lil' Jamal)
Erick Sermon3:57
4."Full Cooperation"
Erick Sermon3:48
5."Ride Wit Us" (featurig Too $hort)
Erick Sermon3:38
6."Lay 'Em Down" (Skit)R. NobleRedman1:06
7."Rhymin' Wit' Biz" (featuring Biz Markie)
Erick Sermon3:42
8."The Game" (Freestyle)
Erick Sermon2:40
9."World Announcement" (Skit)R. NobleRedman1:28
10."Can U Dig It?"
Erick Sermon3:16
11."You Do, I Do"
  • R. Noble
  • E. Sermon
  • K. Murray
Redman4:07
12."Y'all Niggas Ain't Ready"
  • R. Noble
  • E. Sermon
  • K. Murray
Erick Sermon2:43
13."Say Word!"
Erick Sermon3:38
14."No Guest List"
Erick Sermon3:27
15."Babies Father Committee" (Skit)R. NobleRedman0:55
16."Def Squad Delite"
Erick Sermon6:45
Total length:50:42

Personnel
  • Erick Sermon – vocals, producer (tracks: 2-5, 7-8, 10, 12-14, 16), executive producer
  • Reginald Noble – vocals, producer (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 11, 15), executive producer
  • Keith Omar Murray – vocals, executive producer
  • Jamal C. Phillips – vocals (track 3)
  • Todd Anthony Shaw – vocals (track 5)
  • Marcel Theo Hall – vocals (track 7)
  • Nasty Nadj – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • TE TE – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • Dave Rockin' Reel – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • Moe Green – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • Miguel – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • Nikki D. – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
  • Kevin Liles – A&R, co-executive producer
  • Bernard Alexander – co-executive producer
  • Tony Dawsey – mastering
  • Chris Tricarico – coordinator
  • Wayne Van Acker – artwork
  • Jonathan Mannion – photography
  • The Drawing Board – art direction, design

Charts
Chart (1998) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[5] 2
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 1

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also
  • List of number-one R&B albums of 1998 (U.S.)

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "El Niño - Def Squad". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  2. Baker, Soren (1998-07-06). "Def Squad Emphasizes the Verse on Pleasing 'El Nin~o'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  3. "Def Squad: El Niño". Muzik. September 1998. p. 64.
  4. "El Niño Review". The Source. August 1998. p. 165.
  5. "Def Squad Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  6. "Def Squad Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  7. "American album certifications – Def Squad – El Nino". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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