The ''Cenobites'' LP is the eponymous debut album by the American hip hop duo the Cenobites, composed of rapper

Kool Keith Keith Matthew Thornton (born October 7, 1963), better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Kool ...

and producer

Godfather Don Godfather Don is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. He has been "a creative force within New York City's underground hip-hop scene" since he made his debut in 1991. _Biography_))).html" ;"title="AllMusic ((( Godfather ...

. It was first released as an EP in 1995 via

Fondle 'Em Records Fondle 'Em Records was a hip hop record label founded and owned by Robert "Bobbito" Garcia from 1995 to 2001, based in New York, New York. Bobbito formed the label after realizing that the many unsigned rappers making guest appearances on ''Th ...

and was later expanded for LP in 1997 and CD in 2000.

Percee P John Percy Simon (born July 9, 1969), better known by his stage name Percee P, is an American rapper from The South Bronx, New York City. ''Unkut'' described him as the "legendary lyricist of the subterranean". Career In 2007, Percee P released ...

and

Bobbito Garcia Robert "Bobbito" Garcia (born September 25, 1966), also known as DJ Cucumber Slice and Kool Bob Love, is an American DJ, author, streetball player, streetball coach, and member of the Rock Steady Crew. He is known as a former co-host of hip hop ...

made guest appearances on the record.

History

In 1992,

South Bronx The South Bronx is an area of the New York City Borough (New York City), borough of the Bronx. The area comprises neighborhoods in the southern part of the Bronx, such as Concourse, Bronx, Concourse, Mott Haven, Bronx, Mott Haven, Melrose, B ...

innovators

Ultramagnetic MC's The Ultramagnetic MCs is an American hip hop group based in The Bronx, New York City. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989. In 1990, DJ Jaycee was added as a ...

recruited little known MC/ producer

to assist them on their third LP, ''The Four Horsemen''. The dark, jazzy sound he contributed was something of a departure for the group, which was known for its futuristic funk. During and after the album's recording, additional material featuring Kool Keith and Godfather Don was created for the Cenobites side project. Radio personality

aka DJ Cucumberslice, a longtime fan and supporter of Ultramagnetic, dropped the ''Cenubites'' EP in 1995 on his own

Fondle 'Em Fondle 'Em Records was a Hip hop music, hip hop record label founded and owned by Bobbito Garcia, Robert "Bobbito" Garcia from 1995 to 2001, based in New York City, New York, New York. Bobbito formed the label after realizing that the many unsig ...

label. He also made his rapping debut as a featured performer on two of the disc's eight tracks. Another South Bronx veteran,

, also contributed a guest appearance. All the artists involved with the project were regulars on WKCR's Stretch Armstrong radio show in the early '90s, of which Bobbito was co-host. Rumour has it that this album was recorded in a week, during a period where Kool Keith & Godfather Don locked themselves away from the outside world (in a basement), only adding additional vocals after they emerged from their retreat. This would be in keeping with the name of the group "Cenobite", as Cenobites are monks who would often shun the outside world in favor of a hermit type of life.

Release

Originally released as a seven-track extended play in 1995, it was reissued as nine-track longplay record with two more tracks added into it and retitled the Cenobites LP. A CD version was finally issued in 2000 with another bonus track, an extended version of Ultramagnetic MCs' "Checkin' My Style" renamed "Return To Zero", which boasted a previously omitted Godather Don verse. A handful of the Cenobites tracks remain officially unreleased including: "You Lose," "Lazy Woman," "Cold Peein' On 'Em," "Break 'Em Down" and "We Can Do This (ft. Mike L & TR Love)". In addition, Kool Keith and Godfather Don appeared together on Raw Breed's "Rampage/Outta Control" with the legendary

Melle Mel Melvin Glover (born May 15, 1961 in The Bronx), better known by his stage name Grandmaster Melle Mel (or simply Melle Mel) () is an American hip hop recording artist who was the lead vocalist and songwriter of Grandmaster Flash and the Furiou ...

, and reunited in 1998 for Godfather Don's "Voices".

Track listing

; 1995 EP ; 1997 LP

Personnel

* Rodney Chapman – main artist, producer, vocals * Keith Matthew Thornton – main artist, vocals *

– featured artist, executive producer * John Percy Simon – featured artist *Christopher Scott – mastering

Release history

External links

References

{{Authority control 1994 debut albums Kool Keith albums Godfather Don albums Albums produced by Godfather Don Albums recorded at WKCR-FM