X-Raided - The Initiation (Compact Disc)

1	Luni Coleone a.k.a. Lunasicc, Nolove, T-Nutty	Rip Off The Roof	04:01
2	X-Raided, Gangsta 190, T-Nutty	All My Dogs	03:37
3	X-Raided, Kingpen	Consider Me Dead	04:05
4	X-Raided, T-Nutty, Kingpen	Game Official	04:08
5	X-Raided, Nolove, Chill Bola	Let It Be Known	04:06
6	Big Hollis, Fane	Gangsta, Gangsta	04:04
7	X-Raided, Kingpen, Nolove	Mash 4 Cash	03:48
8	T-Nutty, Teddy Bear, Big Pook Loc	Thug Love	04:21
9	X-Raided, T-Nutty, KB	No Fear	04:10
10	X-Raided, T-Nutty, Nolove	Regardless	04:29
11	T-Nutty, Teddy Bear, Dre D.	Smoke N Drink	05:01
12	X-Raided, Kingpen	Stacc Chips	03:36
13	T-Nutty	What Yall Want	04:52
14	X-Raided, T-Nutty, KB	Why Do They Die	03:38
15	X-Raided	Fuccyoutoo	03:55

Album info

Released in 2001 by Madman Records, “The Initiation” solidifies X-Raided’s position as an enduring force in the hardcore hip-hop scene. Rooted in Thug Rap, Gangsta, and Hardcore Hip-Hop styles, the album serves as a potent microcosm of street life and its unyielding laws. This record goes beyond the limits of typical gangsta rap, delving deep into the complex emotional and psychological landscapes that form the backdrop of the lives it portrays.

The album kicks off with the collaborative effort “Rip Off The Roof,” featuring Luni Coleone a.k.a. Lunasicc, Nolove, and T-Nutty, setting a hard-hitting tone that’s sustained throughout the album. X-Raided continues to collaborate with a host of artists, including Gangsta 190 on “All My Dogs” and Kingpen on “Consider Me Dead” and “Stacc Chips,” bringing varied voices and perspectives into the narrative.

The production of the album is steered primarily by Big Hollis, whose heavy beats and captivating melodies complement X-Raided’s raw lyricism perfectly. Songs like “Game Official” and “Mash 4 Cash” serve as standout examples, balancing narrative depth with musical finesse.

“Thug Love” and “No Fear” explore the many dimensions of street life, from affection and community to the daunting realities that come with it. One of the more striking tracks, “Why Do They Die,” is a reflective piece, asking difficult questions about mortality and life choices.

Mastered at Funktronicz by Larry Funk and featuring art direction by X-Raided himself, the album is as polished as it is gritty. The art and layout are designed by Phantom and B.R., adding visual intensity to the already robust auditory experience. Managed by Rob “No-Kneez” Nonies, the album benefits from an A&R direction that understands both the commercial and artistic imperatives of the hip-hop genre.

With its deep dives into the facets of gang life, loyalties, and the human condition, “The Initiation” remains a significant work in X-Raided’s career. It is not just an album; it’s an initiation into a world that most would never dare to explore, let alone understand. A must-listen for anyone seeking an authentic, uncompromising voice in hardcore hip-hop.