The Show (album)

This article is about the eMC album. For the 1995 film soundtrack, see The Show (soundtrack).

The Show
File:The Show (eMC album) coverart.jpg
Studio album by eMC
Released	March 11, 2008
Recorded	2005 – 2007
Genre	East Coast hip hop, underground hip hop
Label	M3 Records
Producer	Ayatollah Marco Polo Koolade Frequency Quincy Tones The ARE Nicolay
Masta Ace chronology
A Long Hot Summer (2004) The Show (2008) Arts & Entertainment (2009)
Punchline chronology
Punch & Words (2000) The Show (2008)
Wordsworth chronology
Mirror Music (2004) The Show (2008) The Photo Album 2012
Strick chronology
The Show (2008)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Pitchfork Media	(7.9/10)
The Onion A.V. Club	B+
HipHopDX.com
RapReviews.com
PopMatters
The Wire

The Show is the debut album by Hip Hop supergroup eMC, which consists of rappers Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth and Strick.

Background

While it was originally rumored that Ace had retired from music after the release of his acclaimed 2004 concept album A Long Hot Summer, the following year the veteran had formed the new collective with his protégé, Milwaukee rapper Strick, and revered underground lyricists Punch & Words. The four had previously collaborated on numerous albums and tracks, and toured extensively as a collective.

Like Ace's previous albums, A Long Hot Summer and Disposable Arts, The Show is a thematic concept album that tells a story. The album's story follows a day in the life of eMC doing a show on the road. Album guests include Little Brother and Sean Price. Production is handled by Ayatollah, Nicolay, Marco Polo, Koolade, The ARE, Frequency and Quincey Tones.

Singles

The first official eMC track, the Ayatollah-produced "Four Brothers", was released in 2006. A music video for the song was released online on December 10, 2006, however, this track was not included on the album. Music videos were released for "What it Stand For" and "Leak It Out" as well.

Track listing

1. Who We Be (produced by Koolade)
2. The Airport (skit)
3. Leak It Out (produced by The ARE)
4. The Check In (skit)
5. Traffic (feat. Little Brother) (produced by Quincey Tones)
6. Say Now (produced by The ARE)
7. The Message (skit)
8. Don't Give Up On Us (feat. ADI Of Growing Nation) (produced by Frequency)
9. Git Sum (feat. Sean Price) (produced by J!)
10. We Alright (feat. Strickie Love) (produced by Frequency)
11. The Interview (skit)
12. eMC (What It Stand For) (produced by Nicolay)
13. The Angry Merch Guy (skit)
14. The Grudge (produced by Ayatollah)
15. Make It Better (produced by J!)
16. The Lobby (skit)
17. Winds Of Change (produced by Quincey Tones)
18. The Show (feat. Ladybug Mecca) (produced by J!)
19. The Backstage (skit)
20. Borrow You (feat. Strickie Love) (produced by Ayatollah)
21. Once More (produced by Marco Polo)
22. U Let Me Grow (produced by Quincey Tones)
23. Feel It (feat. Money Harm of Product G&B) (produced by Frequency)

Samples

• "The Grudge"
  • "I've Got The World to Hold Me Up" by Barry White
• "Leak It Out"
  • "I'm in Need of Love" by Lou Courtney
• "U Let Me Grow"
  • "Mother's Theme(Mama)" by Willie Hutch
• "Traffic"
  • "Love Comes Easy" by Eloise Laws
• "Say Now"
  • "This Old House" by The Moments
• "Winds of Change"
  • "Life Cycle" by Earth Disciples
• "Feel It"
  • "Free At Last" by Al Green

References

“Make It Better” - Review Of eMC’s The Show