Made in Brooklyn is the second solo studio album by Wu-Tang Clan member Masta Killa. The album was released on August 8, 2006, by Nature Sounds. Recording sessions took place during 2004 to 2006. Production was handled by Pete Rock, Bronze Nazareth, Whyz Ruler and MF Doom, as well as guest appearances from all the other seven surviving Wu-Tang Clan members. Upon its release, Made in Brooklyn has received generally favorable reviews from music critics. The album peaked at number 176 on the US Billboard 200.

Made in Brooklyn
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 8, 2006
Recorded2004–2006
GenreEast Coast hip hop
Length51:16
Label
Producer
Masta Killa chronology
No Said Date
(2004)
Made in Brooklyn
(2006)
Selling My Soul
(2012)
Singles from Made in Brooklyn
  1. "Ringing Bells"
    Released: April 3, 2006
  2. "It's What It Is"
    Released: July 10, 2006
  3. "Iron God Chamber"
    Released: January 23, 2007

Background

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In regard to the album's title he stated:

It's basically the same formula as No Said Date, but with more of a Brooklyn swagger. It's a piece of me, where I come from and a dedication to the MCs, producers and the people from the neighborhood.[1]

Unlike his previous album, there is no production input from the RZA, although it has several tracks from Bronze Nazareth. In regards to this decision, he stated:

I know how the Wu-Tang sound is supposed to be. I can get sound I’m looking for. Go back to neighborhood and work with people I’ve wanted to for a long time. When you hear the music you will think one of those original brothers did the beats, but it’s not. 75% of this album was recorded in Brooklyn. But I’m not looking to taking nothing over. I’m not the king of shit. It’s just what I’m doing now. There’s not a whole bunch of beefing and quarrelling. That’s just a whole bunch of bullshit that doesn’t really have anything to do with music.[2]

Singles

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The album's first single, "Ringing Bells", was originally released on the Nature Sounds Records Natural Selection compilation.[3] The second single from the album is "It's What It Is" featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, with "Brooklyn King" as its B-Side.[4]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
Okayplayer(83/100)[6]
Pitchfork Media(7.2/10)[7]
RapReviews.com(8.0/10)[8]

Made in Brooklyn has received generally favorable reviews from critics. Okayplayer gave the album a score of 83 out of 100.[6] Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork Media gave the album a 7.2 out of 10 rating.[7] RapReviews.com's Steve Juon gave the album an 8 out of 10.[8]

Track listing

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Made in Brooklyn track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Then & Now" (featuring Kareem Justice, Shamel Irief & Young Prince)Jamel Irief
  • Chris Conway
  • Mark Grant
3:32
2."E.N.Y. House"MF Doom2:36
3."Brooklyn King"IriefDev 12:39
4."It's What It Is" (featuring Raekwon & Ghostface Killah)P.F. Cuttin3:23
5."Nehanda & Cream"IriefBronze Nazareth4:11
6."Iron God Chamber" (featuring U-God, RZA & Method Man)Whyz Ruler3:50
7."Pass the Bone" (Remix)Jig Sor4:04
8."Older Gods Part 2"
  • Irief
  • Popa Wu
Pete Rock5:24
9."Let's Get Into Something" (featuring Startel)IriefStartel4:00
10."Street Corner" (featuring Inspectah Deck & GZA)Bronze Nazareth4:13
11."Ringing Bells"IriefBronze Nazareth3:13
12."East MC's" (featuring Killa Sin, Free Murder, Victorious & K. Born)
Dev 15:00
13."Lovely Lady" (featuring Ski & Governor Tools)IriefGovernor Tools5:12
Total length:51:16

Personnel

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Credits for Made in Brooklyn adapted from AllMusic.[9]

  • Ghostface Killah – Composer
  • GZA – Composer
  • Devin Horwitz – Executive Producer
  • Jamel Irief – Audio Production
  • Killa Sin – Composer
  • Masta Killa – Composer
  • Method Man – Composer
  • Raekwon – Composer
  • RZA – Composer
  • Michael Sarsfield – Mastering
  • Frenchie Sartell – Composer
  • U-God – Composer
  • The Victorious Gospel Jubilees – Composer
  • Wu-Tang Clan – Composer
  • Young Prince – Composer

Charts

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Chart (2006) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[10] 176
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] 45

References

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  1. ^ "Masta Killa To Drop "Made In Brooklyn" Hip Hop CD". Rap News Network. June 15, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  2. ^ Fowle, Noah (August 2006). "MVRemix Urban Interviews - Masta Killa". MVRemix.com. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  3. ^ "Masta Killa - Ringing Bells - release date, buy, producer". Undergroundhiphop.com. 2006-04-04. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  4. ^ "It's What It Is / Brooklyn Kings by Masta Killa on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2006-06-27. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  5. ^ "Made In Brooklyn by Masta Killa". Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b Reviews: Masta Killa: Made in Brooklyn. Okayplayer. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Dombal, Ryan (August 10, 2006). Masta Killa: Made in Brooklyn Archived 2008-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Juon, Steve (August 22, 2006). Masta Killa :: Made in Brooklyn :: Nature Sounds. RapReviews.com. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  9. ^ Made in Brooklyn – Masta Killa > Credits. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Masta Killa Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  11. ^ "Masta Killa Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2014.