The True Meaning
The True Meaning | ||||
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Studio album by Cormega | ||||
Released | June 25, 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001 | |||
Studio | C Mo' Greens Studio (New York, NY) | |||
Genre | East Coast hip hop | |||
Length | 39:42 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Cormega chronology | ||||
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Singles from The True Meaning | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
RapReviews | 8.5/10[2] |
Vibe | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The True Meaning is the second solo studio album by American rapper Cormega. It was released on June 25, 2002 via Legal Hustle/Landspeed Records. Production was handled by J "Waxx" Garfield, J-Love, Alchemist, Buckwild, DR Period, Emile, Hangmen 3, Hi-Tek, Hot Day, and Large Professor, who also provided the lone guest appearance on the album.
The album peaked at number 95 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number five on the Independent Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Built For This", reached number 58 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales.
It was critically acclaimed and won the prestigious "Independent Album of the Year" at The Source Awards 2003. He also received "Impact Artist of the Year" honors at the Underground Music Awards. It was praised for its "back to basics" formula, tight beats and fierce rhymes. Standout tracks include "Live Ya Life", "Love In Love Out" which documents Cormega's feud with fellow Queensbridge rapper Nas, and "Verbal Graffiti".
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Introspective" | Emile | 2:00 | |
2. | "Verbal Graffiti" |
| Hangmen 3 | 2:46 |
3. | "Live Ya Life" |
| J "Waxx" Garfield | 3:43 |
4. | "Ain't Gone Change" | McKay | 0:48 | |
5. | "The True Meaning" |
| DR Period | 3:52 |
6. | "A Thin Line" |
| Buckwild | 3:59 |
7. | "The Legacy" |
| Alchemist | 2:47 |
8. | "Love in Love Out" |
| J-Love | 3:11 |
9. | "The Come Up" (featuring Large Professor) |
| Large Professor | 2:48 |
10. | "Built for This" |
| J "Waxx" Garfield | 2:49 |
11. | "Soul Food" |
| J "Waxx" Garfield | 2:37 |
12. | "Take These Jewels" |
| Hi-Tek | 2:15 |
13. | "Endangered Species" |
| J-Love | 2:56 |
14. | "Therapy" |
| Hot Day | 3:11 |
Total length: | 39:42 |
Personnel
- Cory "Cormega" McKay – vocals, art direction, sleeve notes
- Nicky Guiland – vocals (track 3)
- Paul "Large Professor" Mitchell – vocals & producer (track 9)
- Emile Haynie – producer (track 1)
- Jeffrey Backues Neal – producer (track 2)
- John Bynoe – producer (track 2)
- Raymond "Benzino" Scott – producer (track 2)
- Jay "Waxx" Garfield – producer (tracks: 3, 10, 11)
- Darryl "DR Period" Pittman – producer (track 4)
- Anthony "Buckwild" Best – producer (track 5)
- Alan "The Alchemist" Maman – producer (track 6)
- Jason "J-Love" Elias – producer (tracks: 8, 13)
- Tony "Hi-Tek" Cottrell – producer (track 12)
- "Hot Day" Dante Franklin – producer (track 14)
- Max Vargas – recording, mixing
- Trevor "Karma" Gendron – design, layout
- Jonathan Mannion – photography
- Matthew Doszkocs – photography
- Theo Sedlmayr – legal
Charts
Chart (2002) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200[4] | 95 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] | 25 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[6] | 5 |
References
- ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Cormega - The True Meaning Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (July 16, 2002). "Cormega :: The True Meaning :: Legal Hustle Records/LandSpeed". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ Levine, Rebecca (July 2002). "Revolutions: Cormega – The True Meaning". Vibe. p. 135.
- ^ "Cormega Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Cormega Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ "Cormega Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
External links
- Cormega – The True Meaning at Discogs (list of releases)
- v
- t
- e
- The Realness
- The True Meaning
- The Testament
- Born and Raised
- Mega Philosophy
- The Realness II
- Legal Hustle
- My Brother's Keeper
- Raw Forever
- Discography
- The Firm