4,5,6 is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Kool G Rap. It was released on September 26, 1995, via Cold Chillin' Records. The album's title signifies the winning combination at the urban street game of cee-lo.[1]
Following the critical acclaim of a three-album run with Thomas "DJ Polo" Pough, Kool G Rap chose to concentrate his efforts in a more underground direction, in continuation with the sound on his albums with DJ Polo. In early 1993, Kool G Rap separated from DJ Polo in the aftermath of the media controversy surrounding the cover art of their previous album Live and Let Die. The cover – which depicted two police officers being hanged – followed the "Cop Killer" controversy involving Time Warner and Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros. Records ultimately refused to distribute Live and Let Die, resulting in the termination of its contract with Cold Chillin' Records.[6]Live and Let Die was eventually released and distributed independently via Cold Chillin' in 1992. In 1995, Cold Chillin' signed a distribution deal with Epic Records, of which 4,5,6 was the first to be released under the new deal. It would also be Cold Chillin' Records' final release before it went defunct in 1997.
Composition
Kool G Rap recorded the album in Bearsville, New York, giving it a dark, grimy street sound.
The title track "4,5,6" depicts the urban street game of cee-lo and how the game is played along with rhymes of a braggadocio nature and his success and skill at cee-lo. The song starts with the notes from Weather Report's "Mysterious Traveller", which are used throughout the entire song and give the song a very dark street sound.
The single "It's a Shame" contains a prime example of mafioso rap themes and self boasting. In the song, Kool G Rap portrays himself as a heroin kingpin from a first person prospective, boasting of his wealth, power and extravagant lifestyle. However, it is implied that he harbours a sense of remorse over his choice of trade, with Sean Brown on the chorus stating: "Now it's a damn shame, what I gotta do just to make a dollar / Living in this game, sometimes it makes you wanna holler".
The song "For Da Brothaz" details the falling of his friends and the unforgiving struggle on the streets of New York.
The single "Fast Life", Kool G Rap and Nas Escobar (who also appeared on the front cover) rap about their business ventures and mafioso lifestyle. The video for the single revolves around the construction of the mythical "Fast Life Hotel and Casino".
