The Yin and the Yang

by Cappadonna

Overview

A year after the breath of fresh air that was Wu-Tang Clan's The W, major members RZA and Ghostface Killah both deflated the balloon with mostly disappointing solo albums. At the tail end of 2001, Wu associate Cappadonna dropped his own sophomore joint, and though he does fulfill the promise in the intro that "you gonna hear a lot of different things," The Yin and the Yang can't break the increasing curse on Wu-Tang solo albums. Cappadonna starts off with a few string-heavy, soul-sampling productions by his usual partners (8-Off the Assassin, True Master, Neonek), spitting solid mushmouthed rhymes, trying (and usually failing) to capture the obtuse metaphysics of Method Man and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Of course, it's difficult to take the apocalyptic philosophizing on "Bread of Life" at face value, especially coming after a degrading track like "Super Model." The flip side of The Yin and the Yang is more promising; "Love Is the Message" is a distinct detour, sampling the hit of the same name by M.F.S.B. for an intriguing, swinging track. Cappadonna also joins forces with the So So Def crew (specifically, Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat) for another highlight, "We Know." Though his rapping ranks above the norm, The Yin and the Yang doesn't live up to expectations for Wu-Tang fans. [The album is also available in a clean version.] ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	04/03/2001
Label:	Epic
UPC:	0696998545526

Tracks

1. The Grits
2. Super Model
3. War Rats
4. Bread of Life
5. Love Is the Message
6. We Know
7. Shake Dat
8. Big Business
9. Revenge
10. One Way 2 Zion
11. [Untitled Track]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cappadonna   Primary Artist,Vocals
Culture   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jermaine Dupri   Primary Artist
Shyheim   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Raekwon   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Killah Priest   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Da Brat   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Timbo King   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Ghostface Killah   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
8-Off   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Masta Killa   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Prodigal Son   Featured Artist
Neonek   Featured Artist
JD   Featured Artist
Crunch   Featured Artist
Jammie Sommers   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Cappadonna   Associate Producer,Executive Producer,Arrangement Preparation,Executive Music Supervisor,A&R
W.L. Reed   Composer
Kenny Ortiz   Engineer
C. Woods   Composer
D. Harris   Composer
Ashaunna Ayars   Project Manager
Kelly Green   Product Manager
K. Isaacs   Composer
D.L. Hill & Willard Robison   Composer
Brian Frye   Engineer
Steve Robillard   Assistant Engineer
B+   Photography
Marc Lee   Assistant Engineer
Nolan "Dr. No" Moffitte   Engineer
LaMarquis Jefferson   Composer
Phil Tan   Mixing
Leon Huff   Composer
Inspectah Deck   Producer
True Master   Producer
James Cruz   Mastering
Da Brat   Performer
Timbo King   Performer
Jermaine Dupri   Producer,Composer
Joe Quinde   Engineer,Mixing
John Carr   Art Direction
J.K. Hunter   Composer
Kenny Gamble   Composer