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{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = God of the Serengeti
| name = God of the Serengeti
| Type = studio
| type = studio
| Artist = [[Vinnie Paz]]
| artist = [[Vinnie Paz]]
| Cover = God_of_the_Serengeti.jpg
| cover = God_of_the_Serengeti.jpg
| Leaked =
| alt =
| Released = October 22, 2012
| released = {{Start date|2012|10|22}}
| Recorded = 2011-2012
| recorded = 2011–2012
| studio =
| Genre = [[Underground hip hop]], [[hardcore hip hop]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hardcore hip hop]]|[[political hip hop]]|[[underground hip hop]]}}
| Length =
| Label = Enemy Soil
| length = {{Duration|h=1|m=9|s=55}}
| label = {{hlist|Enemy Soil|[[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]]}}
| Reviews =
| producer = {{hlist|Arcitype|Beatnick Dee|C-Lance|[[DJ Lethal]]|[[DJ Premier]]|[[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]]|Illinformed|Jack of All Trades|JBL the Titan|[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]|[[Mr. Green (record producer)|Mr. Green]]|MTK|[[The Beatnuts|Psycho Les]]|Stu Bangas|Tony Kenyatta}}
| Last album = [[Season of the Assassin (album)|Season of the Assassin]] <br/> (2010)
| This album = God of the Serengeti <br/> (2012)
| prev_title = [[Season of the Assassin]]
| Next album =
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = The Cornerstone of the Corner Store
| Misc =
| next_year = 2016
{{Singles
| misc =
|Name = God of the Serengeti
|Type = studio
|single 1 = Cheesesteaks
|single 2 = 7 Fires of Prophecy
|single 3 = The Oracle
|single 4 = Wolves Among The Sheep
|single 5 =
}}}}
{{Album reviews
| rev1 = [[XXL Magazine]]
|rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}[http://www.xxlmag.com/reviews/2012/10/vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengti/ link]
| rev2 = [[HipHopDX]]
|rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1985/title.vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengeti/ link]
| rev3 = RapReviews
|rev3Score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2012_12F_godoftheserengeti.html |title=Vinnie Paz :: God of the Serengeti :: Enemy Soil Records |publisher=Rapreviews.com |date=2012-12-04 |accessdate=2013-04-20}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''God of the Serengeti''''' is the second studio album by American rapper [[Vinnie Paz]]. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Enemy Soil Entertainment and [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]]. [[Hip hop production|Production]] was handled by C-Lance, JBL the Titan, Arcitype, Beatnick Dee, [[DJ Lethal]], [[DJ Premier]], [[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]], Illinformed, Jack of All Trades, [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]], [[Mr. Green (record producer)|Mr. Green]], MTK, [[The Beatnuts|Psycho Les]], Stu Bangas and Tony Kenyatta. It features [[guest appearance]]s from [[Army of the Pharaohs]], [[Blaq Poet]], Block McCloud, [[Chris Rivers|Baby Pun]], F.T., [[Immortal Technique]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[La Coka Nostra]], [[Mobb Deep]], Poison Pen, [[Q-Unique]], [[R.A. the Rugged Man]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], Smoke, [[Tragedy Khadafi]] and Whispers.
'''God of the Serengeti''' is the second [[studio album]] by rapper [[Vinnie Paz]], officially released on October 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmthiphop.com/|title=Vinnie Paz: God of the Serengeti (Cover)|accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref>


[[Music video]]s were released for the songs "Cheesesteaks"<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz "Cheesesteaks" - Official Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsK-OxJQJP8 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher= |language=en}}</ref> and "The Oracle".<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz "The Oracle" - Official Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wWUsShu2Bo |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher= |language=en}}</ref>
== Background ==
This effort follows up 2010's [[Season of the Assassin (album)|Season Of The Assassin]], last year, Vinnie released collaboration albums with Ill Bill and with [[Jedi Mind Tricks]]. The album is said to include production and MC skills from [[DJ Premier]], [[Kool G. Rap]], [[DJ Lethal]], [[Blaq Poet]], C-Lance, [[R.A. the Rugged Man]], [[Immortal Technique]] , [[La Coka Nostra]] , [[Mobb Deep]], [[Tragedy Khadafi]] etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewildstyles.com/newspost/vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengeti-solo-record-update/|title=God of the Serengeti: update|accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref> On June 21, Paz released the first official video off the album, for the single "Cheesesteaks" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BsK-OxJQJP8|title=Vinnie Paz - Cheesesteaks|accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref> The album landed #12 on DJ Premier's top 20 albums of 2012 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapgodfathers.info/news/37006-dj-premier-names-his-top-20-albums-of-2012|title=Rap God Fathers - DJ. Premier named his top 20 albums}}</ref>


== Tracklist ==
==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
<ref>http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20641/title.vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengeti-tracklist-cover-art</ref>
| MC = 72/100<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=Critic Reviews for God of the Serengeti - Metacritic |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/god-of-the-serengeti/vinnie-paz/critic-reviews |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref>
{{tracklist
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| extra_column = Producer
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{Cite web |last=Jeffries |first=David |title=God of the Serengeti - Vinnie Paz {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/god-of-the-serengeti-mw0002420817 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[AllMusic]] |language=en}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Exclaim!]]''
| rev2score = 7/10<ref name="Exclaim">{{Cite web |last=Quinlan |first=Thomas |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz {{!}} God of the Serengeti |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/vinnie_paz-god_of_serengeti |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[Exclaim!]] |language=en}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[HipHopDX]]''
| rev3score = 4/5<ref name="HHDX">{{Cite web |last=Ketchum III |first=William |date=November 7, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz - God Of the Serengeti |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.1985/title.vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengeti |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref>
| rev4 = RapReviews
| rev4score = 8/10<ref name="RR">{{Cite web |last=Juon |first=Steve 'Flash' |date=December 4, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz :: God of the Serengeti – RapReviews |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2012/12/vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengeti/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=www.rapreviews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''
| rev5score = 3/5<ref name="XXL">{{Cite web |last=De Molina |first=Nick |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Vinnie Paz, God of the Serengeti - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/vinnie-paz-god-of-the-serengti/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |language=en}}</ref>
}}
''God of the Serengeti'' was met with generally favourable reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 72, based on seven reviews.<ref name="MC" />


[[AllMusic]]'s David Jeffries praised the work with words: "plenty of hot air pushes it forward, while cold steel keeps it on the ground, just like the kinetic, magnetic Paz".<ref name="AM" /> William Ketchum III of ''[[HipHopDX]]'' found "his sophomore solo set, ''God of the Serengeti'', sticks to the script, and that's not a bad thing".<ref name="HHDX" /> Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews.com resumed: "he's an unusual flavor, but one that should still be considered a delicacy--even if it just might be bad for you".<ref name="RR" /> Thomas Quinlan of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' considered that the album "should impress fans and may even bring back some of those who miss the [[The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness|Psycho-Social]] days".<ref name="Exclaim" />

In his mixed review for ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'', Nick De Molina stated: "while God of the Serengeti doesn't blaze any new ground, it is a release that will hold up to the Paz's legacy on the underground scene and will surely satisfy long-time fans".<ref name="XXL" />

DJ Premier ranked the album at No. 12 of his year-end list of top 20 favourite albums of 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven |date=January 8, 2013 |title=DJ Premier Names His Top 20 Albums Of 2012 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.22465/title.dj-premier-names-his-top-20-albums-of-2012 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==
In the United States, the album sold 4,300 units during its first week,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paine |first=Jake |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/28/2012 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.21709/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-10282012 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref> charting at number 102 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number 16 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 34 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart and number 19 on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart.

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Shadow of the Guillotine
| title1 = Shadow of the Guillotine
| extra1 = [[DJ Lethal]]
| note1 = featuring [[Q-Unique]]
| note1 = featuring [[Q-Unique]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Vinnie Paz|Vincenzo Luvineri]]|[[Q-Unique|Anthony Quiles]]|[[DJ Lethal|Leor Dimant]]}}
| extra1 = [[DJ Lethal]]
| length1 = 2:45
| length1 = 2:45

| title2 = Slum Chemist
| title2 = Slum Chemist
| writer2 = {{hlist|Luvineri|Craig Lanciani}}
| extra2 = C-Lance
| extra2 = C-Lance
| note2 =
| length2 = 3:25
| length2 = 3:25

| title3 = The Oracle
| title3 = The Oracle
| writer3 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[DJ Premier|Christopher Edward Martin]]}}
| extra3 = [[DJ Premier]]
| extra3 = [[DJ Premier]]
| note3 =
| length3 = 3:23
| length3 = 3:23

| title4 = And Your Blood Will Blot Out the Sun
| title4 = And Your Blood Will Blot Out the Sun
| note4 = featuring [[Immortal Technique]] and Poison Pen
| writer4 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Immortal Technique|Felipe Coronel]]|Lékan Herron|Tony Kenyatta}}
| extra4 = Tony Kenyatta
| extra4 = Tony Kenyatta
| note4 = featuring [[Immortal Technique]] & Poison Pen
| length4 = 3:23
| length4 = 3:23

| title5 = Last Breath
| title5 = Last Breath
| note5 = featuring [[Chris Rivers|Baby Pun]] and Whispers
| writer5 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Chris Rivers|Christopher Lee Rios Jr.]]|Whispers|Lanciani}}
| extra5 = C-Lance
| extra5 = C-Lance
| note5 = featuring Baby Pun & Whispers
| length5 = 3:12
| length5 = 3:12

| title6 = Crime Library
| title6 = Crime Library
| note6 = featuring [[Blaq Poet]]
| writer6 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Blaq Poet|Wilbur Bass]]|[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Bruno]]}}
| extra6 = [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]
| extra6 = [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]
| note6 = featuring [[Blaq Poet]]
| length6 = 2:58
| length6 = 2:58
| title7 = Feign Submission

| title7 = Feign Submission (Interlude)
| note7 = Interlude
| writer7 = {{hlist|Luvineri|J. Ibarra}}
| extra7 = JBL the Titan
| extra7 = JBL the Titan
| note7 =
| length7 = 2:16
| length7 = 2:16

| title8 = Duel to the Death
| title8 = Duel to the Death
| note8 = featuring [[Mobb Deep]]
| writer8 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Prodigy (rapper)|Albert Johnson]]|[[Havoc (musician)|Kejuan Muchita]]|Stuart Hudgins}}
| extra8 = Stu Bangas
| extra8 = Stu Bangas
| note8 = featuring [[Mobb Deep]]
| length8 = 3:51
| length8 = 3:51

| title9 = Problem Solver
| title9 = Problem Solver
| note9 = featuring [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]
| writer9 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Scarface (rapper)|Brad Jordan]]|Janos Fulop}}
| extra9 = The Arcitype
| extra9 = The Arcitype
| note9 = featuring [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]
| length9 = 4:05
| length9 = 4:05

| title10 = Battle Hymn
| title10 = Battle Hymn
| note10 = featuring [[Apathy (rapper)|Apathy]], [[King Syze]], [[Crypt the Warchild]], [[Jus Allah]], [[7L & Esoteric|Esoteric]], Blacastan, [[Celph Titled]] and [[Planetary (rapper)|Planetary]]
| extra10 = [[Mr. Green (producer)|Mr. Green]]
| note10 = featuring [[Apathy (rapper)|Apathy]], [[King Syze]], [[Crypt the Warchild]], [[Jus Allah]], [[7L & Esoteric|Esoteric]], Blacastan, [[Celph Titled]] & [[Planetary (rapper)|Planetary]]
| writer10 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Apathy (rapper)|Chad Bromley]]|[[King Syze|Daniel Albaladejo]]|[[Crypt the Warchild|Marcus Albaladejo]]|[[Jus Allah|James Bostick]]|[[7L & Esoteric|Seamus Ryan]]|Ira Osu|[[Celph Titled|Vic Mercer]]|[[Planetary (rapper)|Mario Collazo]]|[[Mr. Green (record producer)|Aaron Green]]}}
| extra10 = [[Mr. Green (record producer)|Mr. Green]]
| length10 = 6:27
| length10 = 6:27

| title11 = Geometry of Business
| title11 = Geometry of Business
| note11 = featuring [[La Coka Nostra]]
| writer11 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Slaine (rapper)|George Carroll]]|[[Ill Bill|William Braunstein]]|Muchita}}
| extra11 = [[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]]
| extra11 = [[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]]
| note11 = featuring [[La Coka Nostra]]
| length11 = 4:12
| length11 = 4:12

| title12 = Jake LaMotta
| title12 = Jake LaMotta
| writer12 = {{hlist|Luvineri|William Leigh|Cheyenne Fowler}}
| extra12 = Illinformed
| extra12 = Illinformed
| note12 =
| length12 = 3:55
| length12 = 3:55

| title13 = 7 Fires of Prophecy
| title13 = 7 Fires of Prophecy
| note13 = featuring [[Tragedy Khadafi]]
| writer13 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Tragedy Khadafi|Percy Chapman]]|Nick Doherty}}
| extra13 = Beatnick Dee
| extra13 = Beatnick Dee
| note13 = featuring [[Tragedy Khadafi]]
| length13 = 3:31
| length13 = 3:31

| title14 = Cheesesteaks
| title14 = Cheesesteaks
| writer14 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[The Beatnuts|Lester Fernandez]]}}
| extra14 = [[Psycho Les]]
| extra14 = [[The Beatnuts|Psycho Les]]
| note14 =
| length14 = 3:35
| length14 = 3:47

| title15 = Cold, Dark, and Empty
| title15 = Cold, Dark, and Empty
| note15 = featuring F.T. and Smoke
| writer15 = {{hlist|Luvineri|Winston Morris|Smoke|Jim Heffernan}}
| extra15 = Jack of All Trades
| extra15 = Jack of All Trades
| note15 = featuring FT & Smoke
| length15 = 3:56
| length15 = 3:56

| title16 = Razor Gloves
| title16 = Razor Gloves
| note16 = featuring [[R.A. the Rugged Man]]
| writer16 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[R.A. the Rugged Man|R.A. Thorburn]]|Matthew Crabtree}}
| extra16 = MTK
| extra16 = MTK
| note16 = featuring [[R.A. the Rugged Man]]
| length16 = 3:50
| length16 = 3:50

| title17 = Wolves Amongst the Sheep
| title17 = Wolves Amongst the Sheep
| note17 = featuring [[Kool G Rap]] and Block McCloud
| writer17 = {{hlist|Luvineri|[[Kool G Rap|Nathaniel Wilson]]|Ismael Diaz, Jr.|Lanciani}}
| extra17 = C-Lance
| extra17 = C-Lance
| note17 = featuring [[Kool G Rap]] & Block McCloud
| length17 = 3:33
| length17 = 3:33
| title18 = You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train

| writer18 = {{hlist|Luvineri|Lanciani|Ibarra}}
| title18 = You Can't Be Neutral On a Moving Train
| extra18 = C-Lance, JBL the Titan
| extra18 = {{hlist|C-Lance|JBL the Titan}}
| note18 =
| length18 = 7:28
| length18 = 7:28
| total_length = 1:09:55
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{tracklist
| all_writing =
| extra_column = Producer
| headline = Bonus track
| collapsed = yes
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| headline = Vinyl download Bonus track

| title19 = Kingdom Crusher
| title19 = Kingdom Crusher
| extra19 = Paul Nice
| note19 = featuring Block McCloud
| note19 = featuring Block McCloud
| extra19 = Paul Nice
| length19 = 3:06
| length19 = 3:06
| total_length =
}}
}}


== Charts ==
==Personnel==
{{div col}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
*Vincenzo "[[Vinnie Paz]]" Luvineri – vocals
*Anthony "[[Q-Unique]]" Quiles – vocals <small>(track 1)</small>
*Felipe "[[Immortal Technique]]" Coronel – vocals <small>(track 4)</small>
*Lékan "Poison Pen" Herron – vocals <small>(track 4)</small>
*Christopher Lee "[[Chris Rivers|Baby Pun]]" Rios Jr. – vocals <small>(track 5)</small>
*Whispers – vocals <small>(track 5)</small>
*Wilbur "[[Blaq Poet]]" Bass – vocals <small>(track 6)</small>
*Kejuan "[[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]]" Muchita – vocals <small>(track 8)</small>, producer <small>(track 11)</small>
*Albert "[[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]]" Johnson – vocals <small>(track 8)</small>
*Brad "[[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]" Jordan – vocals <small>(track 9)</small>
*Chad "[[Apathy (rapper)|Apathy]]" Bromley – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Daniel "[[King Syze]]" Albaladejo – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Marcus "[[Crypt the Warchild]]" Albaladejo – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*James "[[Jus Allah]]" Bostick – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Seamus "[[7L & Esoteric|Esoteric]]" Ryan – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Ira "Blacastan" Osu – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Vic "[[Celph Titled]]" Mercer – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*Mario "[[Planetary (rapper)|Planetary]]" Collazo – vocals <small>(track 10)</small>
*George "[[Slaine (rapper)|Slaine]]" Carroll – vocals <small>(track 11)</small>
*William "[[Ill Bill]]" Braunstein – vocals <small>(track 11)</small>
*Percy "[[Tragedy Khadafi]]" Chapman – vocals <small>(track 13)</small>
*Winston "F.T." Morris – vocals <small>(track 15)</small>
*Smoke – vocals <small>(track 15)</small>
*Richard "[[R.A. the Rugged Man]]" Thorburn – vocals <small>(track 16)</small>
*Nathaniel "[[Kool G Rap]]" Wilson – vocals <small>(track 17)</small>
*Ismael "Block McCloud" Diaz, Jr. – vocals <small>(track 17)</small>
*Jay "Shylow" Khan – scratches <small>(track 6)</small>
*Dave "DJ Kwestion" Klein – scratches <small>(tracks: 13, 16)</small>
*Mireya Ramos – strings <small>(track 14)</small>
*Eric "DJ Eclipse" Winn – scratches <small>(track 14)</small>
*Leor "[[DJ Lethal]]" Dimant – producer <small>(track 1)</small>
*Craig "C-Lance" Lanciani – producer <small>(tracks: 2, 5, 17, 18)</small>
*Chris "[[DJ Premier]]" Martin – producer <small>(track 3)</small>
*Tony Kenyatta – producer <small>(track 4)</small>
*Marco "[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]" Bruno – producer <small>(track 6)</small>
*J. "JBL The Titan" Ibarra – producer <small>(tracks: 7, 18)</small>
*Stuart "Stu Bangas" Hudgins – producer <small>(track 8)</small>
*Janos "Arcitype" Fulop – producer <small>(track 9)</small>
*Aaron "[[Mr. Green (record producer)|Mr. Green]]" Green – producer <small>(track 10)</small>
*William "Illinformed" Leigh – producer <small>(track 12)</small>
*Nick "Beatnick Dee" Doherty – producer <small>(track 13)</small>
*Lester "[[The Beatnuts|Psycho Les]]" Fernandez – producer <small>(track 14)</small>
*Jim "Jack Of All Trades" Heffernan – producer <small>(track 15)</small>
*Matthew "MTK" Crabtree – producer <small>(track 16)</small>
*Scott "Supe" Stallone – engineering, mixing
*Mike 13 – engineering <small>(track 3)</small>
*Toure "Southpaw" Harris – additional vocal recording <small>(track 4)</small>
*Joe Nardone – mixing <small>(track 6)</small>
*Daniel "Spent D'Nero" Mawyin – mixing <small>(track 14)</small>
*Peter Humphreys – mastering
*Dan Bradley – design, layout
*Aaron Marsh – illustration
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Chart (2013)
! scope="col"| Chart (2012)
! Peak<br />position
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{album chart|UKR&B|34|date=20121028|rowheader=true|access-date=March 4, 2024}}
|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="bbcharts">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/430969/vinnie-paz/chart}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|102
|-
|-
! scope="row" |US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 10, 2012 |title=The Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2012-11-10/?rank=102 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]] |volume= |issue= |page= |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]<ref name="bbcharts"/>
| 102
| style="text-align:center;"|16
|-
|-
! scope="row" |US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 10, 2012 |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-albums/2012-11-10/ |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]] |volume= |issue= |page= |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref>
|US ''Billboard'' [[Top Rap Albums]]<ref name="bbcharts"/>
| 16
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|US ''Billboard'' [[Top Heatseekers|Heatseekers Albums]]<ref name="bbcharts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}
|}


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
*{{Discogs master|487416|God Of The Serengeti}}

{{Vinnie Paz}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2012 albums]]
[[Category:2012 albums]]
[[Category:Babygrande Records albums]]
[[Category:Enemy Soil Records albums]]
[[Category:Vinnie Paz albums]]
[[Category:Vinnie Paz albums]]
[[Category:Enemy Soil Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by DJ Lethal]]
[[Category:Albums produced by DJ Premier]]
[[Category:Albums produced by DJ Premier]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Marco Polo]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Havoc (musician)]]

Latest revision as of 00:36, 12 November 2024

God of the Serengeti
Studio album by
Vinnie Paz
ReleasedOctober 22, 2012 (2012-10-22)
Recorded2011–2012
Genre
Length1:09:55
Label
Producer
Vinnie Paz chronology
Season of the Assassin
(2010) 		God of the Serengeti
(2012) 		The Cornerstone of the Corner Store
(2016)

God of the Serengeti is the second studio album by American rapper Vinnie Paz. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Enemy Soil Entertainment and The Orchard. Production was handled by C-Lance, JBL the Titan, Arcitype, Beatnick Dee, DJ Lethal, DJ Premier, Havoc, Illinformed, Jack of All Trades, Marco Polo, Mr. Green, MTK, Psycho Les, Stu Bangas and Tony Kenyatta. It features guest appearances from Army of the Pharaohs, Blaq Poet, Block McCloud, Baby Pun, F.T., Immortal Technique, Kool G Rap, La Coka Nostra, Mobb Deep, Poison Pen, Q-Unique, R.A. the Rugged Man, Scarface, Smoke, Tragedy Khadafi and Whispers.

Music videos were released for the songs "Cheesesteaks"[1] and "The Oracle".[2]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic72/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Exclaim!7/10[5]
HipHopDX4/5[6]
RapReviews8/10[7]
XXL3/5[8]

God of the Serengeti was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 72, based on seven reviews.[3]

AllMusic's David Jeffries praised the work with words: "plenty of hot air pushes it forward, while cold steel keeps it on the ground, just like the kinetic, magnetic Paz".[4] William Ketchum III of HipHopDX found "his sophomore solo set, God of the Serengeti, sticks to the script, and that's not a bad thing".[6] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews.com resumed: "he's an unusual flavor, but one that should still be considered a delicacy--even if it just might be bad for you".[7] Thomas Quinlan of Exclaim! considered that the album "should impress fans and may even bring back some of those who miss the Psycho-Social days".[5]

In his mixed review for XXL, Nick De Molina stated: "while God of the Serengeti doesn't blaze any new ground, it is a release that will hold up to the Paz's legacy on the underground scene and will surely satisfy long-time fans".[8]

DJ Premier ranked the album at No. 12 of his year-end list of top 20 favourite albums of 2012.[9]

Commercial performance

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In the United States, the album sold 4,300 units during its first week,[10] charting at number 102 on the Billboard 200 and number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 34 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart and number 19 on the Official Independent Album Breakers Chart.

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Shadow of the Guillotine" (featuring Q-Unique)
DJ Lethal2:45
2."Slum Chemist"
  • Luvineri
  • Craig Lanciani
C-Lance3:25
3."The Oracle"
DJ Premier3:23
4."And Your Blood Will Blot Out the Sun" (featuring Immortal Technique and Poison Pen)
Tony Kenyatta3:23
5."Last Breath" (featuring Baby Pun and Whispers)
C-Lance3:12
6."Crime Library" (featuring Blaq Poet)
Marco Polo2:58
7."Feign Submission" (Interlude)
  • Luvineri
  • J. Ibarra
JBL the Titan2:16
8."Duel to the Death" (featuring Mobb Deep)
Stu Bangas3:51
9."Problem Solver" (featuring Scarface)
The Arcitype4:05
10."Battle Hymn" (featuring Apathy, King Syze, Crypt the Warchild, Jus Allah, Esoteric, Blacastan, Celph Titled and Planetary)
Mr. Green6:27
11."Geometry of Business" (featuring La Coka Nostra)
Havoc4:12
12."Jake LaMotta"
  • Luvineri
  • William Leigh
  • Cheyenne Fowler
Illinformed3:55
13."7 Fires of Prophecy" (featuring Tragedy Khadafi)
Beatnick Dee3:31
14."Cheesesteaks"
Psycho Les3:47
15."Cold, Dark, and Empty" (featuring F.T. and Smoke)
  • Luvineri
  • Winston Morris
  • Smoke
  • Jim Heffernan
Jack of All Trades3:56
16."Razor Gloves" (featuring R.A. the Rugged Man)
MTK3:50
17."Wolves Amongst the Sheep" (featuring Kool G Rap and Block McCloud)
C-Lance3:33
18."You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train"
  • Luvineri
  • Lanciani
  • Ibarra
  • C-Lance
  • JBL the Titan
7:28
Total length:1:09:55
Bonus track
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
19."Kingdom Crusher" (featuring Block McCloud)Paul Nice3:06

Personnel

[edit]
  • Vincenzo "Vinnie Paz" Luvineri – vocals
  • Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles – vocals (track 1)
  • Felipe "Immortal Technique" Coronel – vocals (track 4)
  • Lékan "Poison Pen" Herron – vocals (track 4)
  • Christopher Lee "Baby Pun" Rios Jr. – vocals (track 5)
  • Whispers – vocals (track 5)
  • Wilbur "Blaq Poet" Bass – vocals (track 6)
  • Kejuan "Havoc" Muchita – vocals (track 8), producer (track 11)
  • Albert "Prodigy" Johnson – vocals (track 8)
  • Brad "Scarface" Jordan – vocals (track 9)
  • Chad "Apathy" Bromley – vocals (track 10)
  • Daniel "King Syze" Albaladejo – vocals (track 10)
  • Marcus "Crypt the Warchild" Albaladejo – vocals (track 10)
  • James "Jus Allah" Bostick – vocals (track 10)
  • Seamus "Esoteric" Ryan – vocals (track 10)
  • Ira "Blacastan" Osu – vocals (track 10)
  • Vic "Celph Titled" Mercer – vocals (track 10)
  • Mario "Planetary" Collazo – vocals (track 10)
  • George "Slaine" Carroll – vocals (track 11)
  • William "Ill Bill" Braunstein – vocals (track 11)
  • Percy "Tragedy Khadafi" Chapman – vocals (track 13)
  • Winston "F.T." Morris – vocals (track 15)
  • Smoke – vocals (track 15)
  • Richard "R.A. the Rugged Man" Thorburn – vocals (track 16)
  • Nathaniel "Kool G Rap" Wilson – vocals (track 17)
  • Ismael "Block McCloud" Diaz, Jr. – vocals (track 17)
  • Jay "Shylow" Khan – scratches (track 6)
  • Dave "DJ Kwestion" Klein – scratches (tracks: 13, 16)
  • Mireya Ramos – strings (track 14)
  • Eric "DJ Eclipse" Winn – scratches (track 14)
  • Leor "DJ Lethal" Dimant – producer (track 1)
  • Craig "C-Lance" Lanciani – producer (tracks: 2, 5, 17, 18)
  • Chris "DJ Premier" Martin – producer (track 3)
  • Tony Kenyatta – producer (track 4)
  • Marco "Marco Polo" Bruno – producer (track 6)
  • J. "JBL The Titan" Ibarra – producer (tracks: 7, 18)
  • Stuart "Stu Bangas" Hudgins – producer (track 8)
  • Janos "Arcitype" Fulop – producer (track 9)
  • Aaron "Mr. Green" Green – producer (track 10)
  • William "Illinformed" Leigh – producer (track 12)
  • Nick "Beatnick Dee" Doherty – producer (track 13)
  • Lester "Psycho Les" Fernandez – producer (track 14)
  • Jim "Jack Of All Trades" Heffernan – producer (track 15)
  • Matthew "MTK" Crabtree – producer (track 16)
  • Scott "Supe" Stallone – engineering, mixing
  • Mike 13 – engineering (track 3)
  • Toure "Southpaw" Harris – additional vocal recording (track 4)
  • Joe Nardone – mixing (track 6)
  • Daniel "Spent D'Nero" Mawyin – mixing (track 14)
  • Peter Humphreys – mastering
  • Dan Bradley – design, layout
  • Aaron Marsh – illustration

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2012) Peak
position
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[11] 34
US Billboard 200[12] 102
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 16

References

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  1. ^ "Vinnie Paz "Cheesesteaks" - Official Video". YouTube. June 21, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "Vinnie Paz "The Oracle" - Official Video". YouTube. October 15, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Critic Reviews for God of the Serengeti - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Jeffries, David. "God of the Serengeti - Vinnie Paz | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Quinlan, Thomas (October 23, 2012). "Vinnie Paz | God of the Serengeti". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Ketchum III, William (November 7, 2012). "Vinnie Paz - God Of the Serengeti". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (December 4, 2012). "Vinnie Paz :: God of the Serengeti – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  8. ^ a b De Molina, Nick (October 24, 2012). "Vinnie Paz, God of the Serengeti - XXL". XXL. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Horowitz, Steven (January 8, 2013). "DJ Premier Names His Top 20 Albums Of 2012". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Paine, Jake (October 31, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/28/2012". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "The Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 10, 2012. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 10, 2012. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
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