4,5,6
| 4,5,6 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Kool G Rap | ||||
| Released | September 26, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–1995 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, mafioso rap, hardcore hip hop | |||
| Label |
Cold Chillin'/Epic Street/SME Records EK 57808 (north America) 481472 (international) |
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| Producer | Dr. Butcher Naughty Shorts T-Ray Buckwild |
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| Kool G Rap chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Billboard | Favorable |
| Rhapsody | Favorable |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Source | |
| Trouser Press | Favorable |
| Vibe | Favorable |
4,5,6 is the solo debut by emcee Kool G Rap, released on September 26, 1995 on Cold Chillin' Records. The release followed his break-up with DJ Polo in 1993. The album was mostly received neutrally among critics, but was warmly accepted by underground fans. Despite the album's dark, grimy street sound, it peaked at number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the single "Fast Life" charted on the Billboard Hot 100. The album features guest appearances from B1, MF Grimm, and Nas (who also appeared on the front cover), as well as production from Dr. Butcher, Naughty Shorts, T-Ray, and Buckwild of D.I.T.C. It would also be Cold Chillin' Records' final release before it went defunct in 1997.
Following the critical acclaim of a three-album run with D.J Polo, Road to the Riches (1989), Wanted: Dead Or Alive (1990) and Live and Let Die (1992), Kool G Rap chose to concentrate his efforts in a more underground direction, in continuation with the sound on his albums with D.J. Polo. In early 1993 Kool G Rap separated from D.J. Polo in the aftermath of the media controversy surrounding the cover art of their previous album Live and Let Die. The cover which depicted two police officers being hanged followed the Cop Killer controversy involving Time Warner & Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros. Records ultimately refused to distribute Live and Let Die resulting in the termination of its contract with Cold Chillin' Records. Live and Let Die was eventually released and distributed independently by Cold Chillin' in 1992. In 1995 Cold Chillin' signed a distribution deal with Epic of which 4,5,6 was the first to be released under the new deal. For the recording of 4,5,6 Kool G Rap retreated to the rural wilds of Bearsville, New York.
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