The Firm (hip hop group)

The Firm
Promotional shot of The Firm in 1997, left to right: Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York, USA
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1996 - 1998
Labels	Aftermath, Interscope
Associated acts	Canibus, Dr. Dre, Half-A-Mill, L.E.S., Noreaga, Dawn Robinson, Trackmasters
Past members	Nas AZ Foxy Brown Nature Cormega

The Firm was an American hip hop supergroup that formed in New York City in 1996. It was created by rapper Nas, his manager Steve Stoute, producer Dr. Dre and production team the Trackmasters. The group was composed of East Coast-based rappers, Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ and Nature, who served as a replacement for Cormega after he was ousted from the group.

Although the group received initial hype and high expectations from fans upon their formation after collectively signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, The Firm's debut album, The Album (1997), generated disappointing sales and generally negative criticism. The album, which featured predominant mafioso rap-themes and production from Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters, was criticized for its mainstream, pop-orientation. Their debut album was the group's only release and they disbanded in 1998 with each member continuing their solo careers.

The Firm's origins lie in the recording of Nas's studio album It Was Written (1996), which included a collaboration on the song "Affirmative Action" with East Coast-based rappers AZ, Cormega, and Foxy Brown. The supergroup was a project created by rapper Nas, his manager Steve Stoute, West Coast-based rapper and producer Dr. Dre, and production team the Trackmasters. The resulting line-up included Nas, Brown, AZ and rapper Nature. Cormega had been ousted from the group and was replaced by Nature prior to recording The Firm's debut, due to artistic differences between him and Nas, as well as contract disagreements with Nas's manager Steve Stoute. According to Poke & Tone, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige were tentatively considered for the group.