Uncontrolled Substance

Uncontrolled Substance is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck. The album was released on October 5, 1999, under Loud Records. Originally slated for release in 1995, the record was indefinitely postponed after a flood destroyed over 100 beats in RZA's basement, including his original productions for the album. Eventually released four years later, Uncontrolled Substance received mostly positive reviews, and is Inspectah Deck's most critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album to date. The album features Wu-Tang Clan members U-God and Masta Killa, and appearances from lesser-known affiliates Street Life, Killa Sin, and LA the Darkman. A music video was made for the songs "Word on the Street" directed by Gregory Dark & "Show 'N' Prove" directed by Joseph Kahn. The album's liner notes state that it is dedicated to Inspectah Deck's late father, Frank Hunter.

Uncontrolled Substance
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 5, 1999 (1999-10-05)
Recorded1997–1998
GenreEast Coast hip hop
Length65:56
LabelLoud, Relativity
Producer
Inspectah Deck chronology
Uncontrolled Substance
(1999)
The Movement
(2003)
Wu-Tang Clan solo chronology
Nigga Please
(1999)
Uncontrolled Substance
(1999)
Golden Arms Redemption
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The A.V. Club(favorable)[2]
Los Angeles Times[3]
Q[4]
RapReviews7/10[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
The Source[7]
Spin7/10[8]
Vibe(favorable)[9]
The Village Voice(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[10]

Commercial performance

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The album reached the positions no. 19 and no. 3 on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, respectively. According to Inspectah Deck himself, the album managed to reach gold-level sales.[11]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"Jason Richard HunterInspectah Deck2:01
2."Movas & Shakers"HunterRZA4:33
3."9th Chamber" (featuring La the Darkman, Kinetic 9, Killa Sin & Street Life (rapper))4th Disciple2:51
4."Uncontrolled Substance" (featuring Shadii)5:00
5."Femme Fatale"HunterInspectah Deck3:06
6."The Grand Prix" (featuring U-God & Street Life)
4th Disciple4:43
7."Forget Me Not"HunterThe Mighty V.I.C.3:50
8."Longevity" (featuring U-God)
  • Hunter
  • Hawkins
True Master4:40
9."Word on the Street"HunterInspectah Deck3:44
10."Elevation"HunterInspectah Deck3:15
11."Lovin You" (featuring La the Darkman)True Master2:36
12."Trouble Man" (featuring Vinia Mojica)HunterPete Rock5:05
13."R.E.C. Room"HunterTrue Master3:16
14."Friction" (featuring Masta Killa)RZA3:36
15."Hyperdermix"HunterInspectah Deck4:52
16."Show N Prove"HunterThe Blaquesmiths4:08
17."The Cause" (featuring Street Life)
  • Hunter
  • Charles
Inspectah Deck4:35
Total length:65:56

Personnel

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Charts

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Chart (1999) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[12] 19
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 3

References

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  1. ^ Conaway, Matt. Review: Uncontrolled Substance. AllMusic. Retrieved on January 24, 2010.
  2. ^ Rabin, Nathan (March 29, 2002). "Inspectah Deck: Uncontrolled Substance". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Baker, Soren (October 15, 1999). "Record Rack: Inspectah Deck – Uncontrolled Substance". Los Angeles Times. p. 200. Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Review: Uncontrolled Substance". Q. London. November 1999. p. 118.
  5. ^ DJ Fatboy (October 5, 1999). "Inspectah Deck :: Uncontrolled Substance :: Loud Records". RapReviews. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Lewis, Miles Marshall (July 8, 1999). "Whither the Wu?". Rolling Stone. No. 816–817. p. 146. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Johnson, Elon D. (November 1999). "Record Report: Inspectah Deck – Uncontrolled Substance". The Source. No. 122. New York. p. 216.
  8. ^ Salamon, Jeff (September 1999). "Review: Inspectah Deck – Uncontrolled Substance". Spin. New York. pp. 192–193. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Wilson, Elliott (August 1999). "Revolutions: Inspectah Deck – Uncontrolled Substance". Vibe. New York. p. 174. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert (February 1, 2000). "Happy You Near". The Village Voice. Vol. 45, no. 4. p. 111. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Inspectah Deck Details Losing First Album to RZA's Flood, retrieved February 12, 2023
  12. ^ "Inspectah Deck Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  13. ^ "Inspectah Deck Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2013.