User:AstonishingTunesAdmirer/sandbox/thedumpstest
Background
Childhood friends A-Plus and Tajai met Phesto and Opio in school.[1] In early 1990s they gained popularity among dedicated hip hop fans as part of Hieroglyphics, a group they formed with other childhood friends, including Del the Funky Homosapien and Casual.[2] Tajai, Opio, Phesto, and A-Plus later formed their own group, which went through several name changes. However, by 1992, they settled on the name Souls of Mischief.[1][3] With A-Plus discovering an affordable recording studio, the group had the chance to practice and learn recording techniques, gaining significant experience by the time they started recording their demo tape.[4] "I can't overstate how blown away we were by the Souls of Mischief's demo", said DJ Stretch Armstrong.[5]
In February 1992, Souls of Mischief and other members of Hieroglyphics chose to attend the Gavin Seminar, a gathering of music industry executives and A&Rs in San Francisco. The group sneaked into the hotel where the seminar was held, and started freestyling, blocking the entrance to the main elevator.[1] According to Hieroglyphics member Casual, later that day he received calls from numerous record labels.[6] Several of the labels, including Elektra, Jive, and Big Beat, were interested in signing Souls of Mischief.[7] A bidding war ensued between Big Beat and Jive. After eight months of negotiations, an independent label Big Beat lost to a bigger Jive Records.[8] With the assistance of Opio's stepfather, attorney Michael Ashburne, the group negotiated an unprecedented deal: Jive allowed them to retain the publishing rights.[1]
Release and commercial performance
93 'til Infinity was released on September 28, 1993,[9][10][11] by Jive Records.
93 'til Infinity was a commercial success.[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [13] |
| Christgau's Consumer Guide | A−[14] |
| Encyclopedia of Popular Music |  [15] |
| RapReviews | 9.5/10[16] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [17] |
| The Source |  [18] |
References
- ^ a b c d Davies, Sam (June 20, 2023). "How Souls Of Mischief's 93 'til Infinity' inspired a new future for hip-hop". DJ Mag. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ Batey, Angus (November 25, 2013). "20 Years On: Souls Of Mischief's 93 'Til Infinity Revisited". The Quietus. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Smith 2013, at 26:42.
- ^ Smith 2013, at 32:19; 32:42.
- ^ Smith 2013, at 33:51.
- ^ "Hip-hop pioneers coming to South Lake Tahoe". Tahoe Daily Tribune. June 29, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ^ Smith 2013, at 1:04:26.
- ^ Smith 2013, at 1:06:20; 1:09:23.
- ^ Auerbach, Evan (September 25, 2013). "The Choice Is Yours: 10 Great Rap Release Dates Of The 1990s". NPR. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Drake, David (June 18, 2013). "Great Days In Rap Album Release History". Complex. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Jaelani Turner (August 2, 2023). "Watch Souls of Mischief Deliver New Bars Over Classic "'93 'til Infinity" On Red Bull Spiral". Okayplayer. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ Hess 2009, p. 270.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "93 'Til Infinity – Souls of Mischief". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
- ^ Christgau 2000, p. 291.
- ^ Larkin 2006, p. 621.
- ^ Simelane, Vukile (January 4, 2005). "Souls of Mischief :: '93 Til Infinity :: Jive/Zomba". RapReviews. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
- ^ Sarig 2004, p. 760–761.
- ^ Johnson, Brett (June 1993). "Record Report: Souls of Mischief – '93 'til Infinity". The Source. No. 45. p. 69.
Works cited
- Smith, Shomari (director) (2013). Til Infinity: The Souls of Mischief (Documentary) – via YouTube.
- Ciccariello-Maher, George; Andrews, Jeff St. (2009). "Chapter 11. Between Macks and Panthers: Hip Hop in Oakland and San Francisco". In Hess, Mickey (ed.). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Vol. I: East Coast and West Coast. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-34322-3.
- Banks, Alistair "Lefty" (2003). "Souls of Mischief: 93 til Infinity". In Wang, Oliver (ed.). Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-5502-2561-7.
- Sarig, Roni (2004). "Souls of Mischief". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- Christgau, Robert (2000). "Souls of Mischief: '93 'Til Infinity". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0-312-24560-2.
- Breihan, Tom (2008). "Chapter 5: 1991–1993". In Plagenhoef, Scott; Schreiber, Ryan (eds.). The Pitchfork 500. Fireside Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-6202-3.
- Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). "Souls of Mischief". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7 (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-531373-4.