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Halftime (song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Halftime'" is the 1992 debut single by American rapper Nas, released under his original moniker of Nasty Nas. It was originally recorded for the 'Zebrahead' soundtrack album, released October 13, 1992, on Ruffhouse Records.[ Zebrahead Soundtrack] "Halftime" was produced by Large Professor and features samples of drums and vocals from "Schoolboy Crush" by Average White Band, horns from "Soul Traveling" by Gary Byrd, and the bassline from "Dead End" from the Japanese cast recording of the musical 'Hair'. The song was later included on Nas' 1994 debut album, 'Illmatic'.
Content
"Halftime" features an up-tempo beat led by percussion and trumpets over which Nas rhymes. Memorable lines include "You couldn't catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer/That's like Malcolm X, catchin' the Jungle Fever" and "I'm as ill as a convict who kills for phone time."[http://ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/illmatic/halftime.nas.txt Nas - Halftime Lyrics] Nas also uses this song to give a "shout-outs" to Willie "Ill Will" Graham, Nas' childhood neighbor and best friend, who was shot dead in 1992, and the Queensbridge Crew, a reference to the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, NY, USA. He also reveals he's a fan of Marcus Garvey, the Jackson 5 and Mr. Magic.Nas. "Halftime", 'Illmatic' / 'Zebrahead' (Original Soundtrack), Columbia/Ruffhouse, 1992.
Significance
The inclusion of "Halftime" to the 'Zebrahead' soundtrack by MC Serch led to Nas's breakthrough as a rapper, as a record deal with Columbia Records and the release of his debut album, 'Illmatic' (1994), followed.Columnist. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070607003602/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nas/biography Biography: Nas]. 'Rolling Stone'. Retrieved on 2009-10-28.Kulkarni (2004), p. 95. According to 'Vibe' magazine, the song "created a niche that only 'Illmatic' could fill".Da Ghetto Communicator. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=1SsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36&dq= Next: Nas]". 'Vibe': 36. April 1994.
Sampling
Lyrics from "Halftime" are sampled in these songs:
*"Exercise" by Akinyele
*"Rugged Ruff" by Bahamadia
*"We Got It Hemmed" by Cella Dwellas
*"Down for the Kaz" by Kazi
*"I Will Always Love H.E.R." by Peanut Butter Wolf
*"Strike Back" by Army of the Pharaohs
*"Vengeance" by East Coast Avengers
*"Am I Dope Or What" by Vakill
*"Furam Obleku" by Target of Tram 11
*"Crazy Like a Foxxx (D.I.T.C. Version)" by Bumpy Knuckles
Track listing
;A-side
# "Halftime" (Radio Edit) (4:19)
# "Halftime" (LP Version) (4:19)
# "Halftime" (LP Version Instrumental) (4:19)
;B-side
# "Halftime (Butcher Remix)" DJ Bubie (4:41)
# "Halftime (Butcher Instrumental)" (4:42)
Notes
References
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