Big Punisher Albums (3)
'Endangered Species'
Release Date 3/27/2001
Tracks 24
Label Relativity
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
At the age of 28, Big Pun joined a long list of deceased rappers who left fans too early. Endangered Species is a compilation of much of Pun's best work. All of Pun's hits are included here, including "It's So Hard" and the infectious dancefloor filler "Still Not a Player." Also included are several of Pun's most memorable guest appearances, such as his cameo on the Beatnuts classic "Off the Books," as well as some of his work with Terror Squad. Most of Big Pun's fans will buy the album for unreleased material such as "Mama" and "Wishful Thinking," a collaboration with Kool G. Rap and Cypress Hill's B Real. While the unreleased material may not be Big Pun's best work, it will also not disappoint his fans. The album includes some of Pun's remixes of pop hits like Ricky Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca" and Brandy's "Sittin' on Top of the World." Taken as a whole, the album is an impressive document of an artist that truly was a force to be reckoned with. ~ Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Arriving just two months after his death from a heart attack, Big Pun's second album Yeeeah Baby proves the rapper's demise was doubly tragic. Of course, the death of anyone at a young age is a tragedy in itself, but Yeeeah Baby displays an artist evolving beyond his previous work with remarkable ease. On the highlights "Watch Those," "Off Wit His Head," and "New York Giants," Pun spits out inventive rhymes and paces his delivery with excellence, more than proving that he should be considered in the top-ten list for late-'90s MCs -- among considerable competition (DMX, Jay-Z, Method Man). He also salutes his Latin heritage all over the album, switching from street slang to Latin lingo without batting an eye, and working a flute charanga sample on "100%." Despite a variety of track-masters throughout the album, Yeeeah Baby is quite seamless, thanks no doubt to friend and partner Fat Joe (the executive producer) as well as Pun himself. He would've been proud. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Big Punisher's debut album, Capital Punishment, established him as one of the stronger New York natives working hardcore territory toward the end of the '90s. He's a terrific lyricist with microphone technique to spare, and actually rhymes faster than his clear influence, the Notorious B.I.G.. He's also quite versatile, aiming for the dance clubs, the ladies, the hip-hop purists, and the mean streets at varying points on the album, and connecting with all of them pretty well. Similarly, the production -- by a cast of many -- is tough and funky, paced by deep street beats, but remains accessible to audiences outside the hardcore faithful. The close cousins "I'm Not a Player" and "Still Not a Player," the latter Big Pun's breakthrough hit, manage to be cocky and self-deprecating at the same time, and the other widely exposed track, "You Ain't a Killer," is Big Pun at his grittiest. There are numerous guest appearances, the best of which include mentor Fat Joe (on several tracks), the Roots' Black Thought on the MC showcase "Super Lyrical," Prodigy and Inspectah Deck on "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)," and an extra-insane Busta Rhymes on "Parental Discretion." Capital Punishment isn't quite a classic -- for one thing, it's too long, and for another, it doesn't really break much new ground stylistically. But it's very well-executed, and demonstrates just how much talent and potential Big Punisher had. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
