The Untold Truth is the only studio album by American rap duo Illegal, composed of rappers Jamal and Mr. Malik.[3] It was released on August 24, 1993, through Rowdy Records with distribution via Arista Records. The recording sessions took place from late Fall 1992 to mid-Summer 1993 at D.A.R.P. Studios in Atlanta, at Soundtrack Studios in New York City, and at BMV Digital Studios in Newark. The album was produced by Dallas Austin, Diamond D, Erick Sermon, Biz Markie, and Lord Finesse, among others.

The Untold Truth
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 24, 1993
Recorded1992–1993
Studio
GenreHip hop
Length50:36
Label
Producer
Singles from The Untold Truth
  1. "Head or Gut"
    Released: April 5, 1993
  2. "We Getz Busy"
    Released: October 4, 1993
  3. "Back in the Day"
    Released: March 14, 1994
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
RapReviews6.5/10[2]

The album peaked at No. 119 on the Billboard 200 and No. 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spawned three singles: "Back in the Day", and the Kris Kross/Da Youngsta's diss tracks "Head or Gut" and "We Getz Busy".

Track listing

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No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Back in the Day"Colin Wolfe5:12
2."Illegal Will Rock"Diamond D5:01
3."Head or Gut"Erick Sermon3:57
4."CrumbSnatcher"Diamond D3:55
5."We Getz Busy"Erick Sermon3:50
6."Stick 'Em Up"Colin Wolfe4:26
7."Understand the Flow"Dallas Austin4:48
8."On da M.I.C."Lord Finesse4:50
9."Ban da Iggidy"Dallas Austin4:14
10."Lights, Camera, Action"Spearhead X5:03
11."Interlude"
  • Spearhead X
  • E-Locc
0:29
12."If U Want It"5:11
Total length:50:36

Personnel

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  • Jamal Phillips – vocals
  • Malik Edwards – vocals
  • Joseph Kirkland – vocals (track 4), producer (tracks: 2, 4)
  • Erick Sermon – vocals (track 5), producer (tracks: 3, 5)
  • Robert Hall Jr. – vocals & producer (track 8)
  • Andre Barnes – vocals (track 8)
  • Colin Wolfe – producer (tracks: 1, 6)
  • Dallas Austin – producer (tracks: 7, 9), executive producer
  • Xavier Hargrove – producer (tracks: 10, 11)
  • Melvin "E-Locc" Davis – producer (track 11)
  • Marcel Theo Hall – producer (track 12)
  • Vaughan Lee – producer (track 12)
  • Alvin Speights – mixing & recording (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 7, 9)
  • George Pappas – mixing & recording (tracks: 1, 10)
  • Gregory Mann – mixing & recording (tracks: 3, 10)
  • John Lawrence Byas – mixing & recording (track 4)
  • Darin Prindle – mixing & recording (track 5)
  • Troy Hightower – mixing & recording (track 8)
  • Everett "Bizz-E" Ramos – mixing & recording (track 12)
  • José L. Rodriguez – mastering
  • Christopher Stern – art direction
  • Danny Clinch – photography

Charts

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Chart (1993) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[4] 119
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] 19

References

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  1. ^ Swihart, Stanton. "The Untold Truth - Illegal | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (January 18, 2022). "Illegal The Untold Truth". RapReviews. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Stancell, Steve (1996). Rap Whoz Who: The World of Rap Music. Schirmer Books. p. 139.
  4. ^ "Illegal Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  5. ^ "Illegal Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
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