Bow Down

{{About|the album by Westside Connection|other uses|Bow Down (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Bow Down

| type = studio

| artist = Westside Connection

| cover = Westside Connection - Bow Down (Front).jpg

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|1996|10|22}}

| recorded = 1995–1996

| studio = {{hlist|Westside Studios (California)|Treehouse Studios (South Africa)}}

| genre = {{hlist|West Coast hip-hop|gangsta rap|G-funk|hardcore hip-hop}}

| length = {{Duration|m=48|s=12}}

| label = Priority

| producer = {{hlist|Ice Cube (also exec.)|Binky Mack|Bud'da|QDIII|Cedric Samson}}

| next_title = Terrorist Threats

| next_year = 2003

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Mack 10

| type = studio

| prev_title = Mack 10

| prev_year = 1995

| title = Bow Down

| year = 1996

| next_title = Based on a True Story

| next_year = 1997

}}{{Extra chronology

| artist = WC

| type = studio

| prev_title = Curb Servin'

| prev_year = 1995

| title = Bow Down

| year = 1996

| next_title = The Shadiest One

| next_year = 1998

}}{{Extra chronology

| artist = Ice Cube

| type = studio

| prev_title = Bootlegs & B-Sides

| prev_year = 1994

| title = Bow Down

| year = 1996

| next_title = War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)

| next_year = 1998

}}{{Singles

| name = Bow Down

| type = studio

| single1 = Bow Down

| single1date = August 17, 1996

| single2 = Gangstas Make the World Go Round

| single2date = January 24, 1997

}}

Bow Down is the debut studio album by American West Coast hip hop supergroup Westside Connection. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Priority Records. The recording sessions took place at Ice Cube's house studio, Westsiiiiide Studios, in California, except for the song "Gangstas Make the World Go Round", which was recorded at Treehouse Studios in South Africa. The production was handled by Bud'da, Quincy Jones III, Binky Mack, and Ice Cube, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Allfrumtha I and the Comrads.

The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, shipping 145,000 units.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=December 19, 2003|title=CNN.com - Studdard album debuts at No. 1 - Dec. 19, 2003|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/19/music.sales.reut/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226131202/http://edition.cnn.com:80/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/19/music.sales.reut/ |archive-date=2003-12-26 |access-date=February 15, 2021|website=CNN}} It went on to sell 1.7 million copies in the United States receiving Platinum certification status by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 10, 1997.{{cite news|date=September 27, 2003|title=West Coast rap supergroup to release CD|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030927/ai_n12518810|url-status=dead|accessdate=September 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028123638/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030927/ai_n12518810|archive-date=October 28, 2007}} It was also certified Gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association for selling 50,000 units in Canada.

Its singles, the title track and "Gangstas Make the World Go Round", made it to the Billboard Hot 100, landing at number 21 and 40, respectively. The songs "King of the Hill", "Cross 'Em out and Put a 'K" and "Hoo Bangin' (WSCG Style)" are diss tracks towards hip hop group Cypress Hill, Q-Tip and rapper Common.

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|date=|title=Bow Down - Westside Connection {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bow-down-mw0000080216|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705141708/http://www.allmusic.com:80/album/bow-down-mw0000080216 |archive-date=2012-07-05 |access-date=February 15, 2021|website=AllMusic}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2score = C{{Cite magazine|last=Bernard|first=James|date=December 13, 1996|issue=357|page=82|title=Bow Down|url=https://ew.com/article/1996/12/13/bow-down/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115105416/http://www.ew.com/article/1996/12/13/bow-down |archive-date=2016-01-15 |access-date=February 15, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

| rev3 = Los Angeles Times

| rev3score = {{Rating|2|4}}{{Cite web|last=Coker|first=Cheo Hodari|author-link=Cheo Hodari Coker|date=November 6, 1996|title=Ice Cube and Friends Make Violent Westside Connection : WESTSIDE CONNECTION "Bow Down"; Priority (**)|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-06-ca-61634-story.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times}}

| rev4 = Muzik

| rev4Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ashon |first=Will |author-link=Will Ashon |date=December 1996 |title=Westside Connection: Bow Down |url=http://www.muzikmagazine.co.uk/issues/muzik019_december_1996.pdf |magazine=Muzik |issue=19 |page=141 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402181940/http://www.muzikmagazine.co.uk/issues/muzik019_december_1996.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022}}

| rev5 = RapReviews

| rev5score = 9/10{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Justin|date=July 3, 2007|title=Westside Connection :: Bow Down :: Priority Records|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_wcbowdown.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707111027/http://www.rapreviews.com:80/archive/BTTL_wcbowdown.html |archive-date=2007-07-07 |access-date=February 15, 2021|website=RapReviews}}

| rev6 = Rolling Stone

| rev6score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Powell|first=Kevin|date=December 12, 1996|issue=749|title=Recordings: Westside Connection – Bow Down|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/120513/review/6067921/bowdown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413024810/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/120513/review/6067921/bowdown|archive-date=April 13, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|page=86|access-date=July 20, 2024}}

| rev7 = The Source

| rev7score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Gordon|first=Allen S.|date=December 1996|issue=87|title=Record Report: Westside Connection – Bow Down|magazine=The Source|page=123|location=New York}}

| rev8 = The Village Voice

| rev8score = D+{{cite magazine|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=December 3, 1996|volume=41|number=49|title=Consumer Guide Turkey Shoot|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ts96-96.php|magazine=The Village Voice|page=84|access-date=July 20, 2024}}

}}

The Indianapolis Star called the album "one of the strongest gauntlet-throw-downs on disc, but it may well be a last gasp from the gangsta style that is suffering from Tupac Shakur's murder."{{cite news |last1=Miley |first1=Scott L. |title='Bow Down' disc fuels West-East rap feud |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=24 Nov 1996 |page=I4}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = World Domination

| note1 = Intro

| writer1 =

| extra1 =

| length1 = 1:16

| title2 = Bow Down

| note2 =

| writer2 = {{hlist|O'Shea Jackson|Dedrick Rolison|William Calhoun|Stephen Anderson}}

| extra2 = Bud'da

| length2 = 3:27

| title3 = Gangstas Make the World Go Round

| note3 =

| writer3 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|Cedric Samson|Thom Bell|Linda Creed}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Ice Cube|Cedric Samson ({{abbr|co.|co-producer}})}}

| length3 = 4:33

| title4 = All the Critics in New York

| note4 =

| writer4 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|Ryan Garner}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Binky Mack|Ice Cube ({{abbr|co.|co-producer}})}}

| length4 = 5:35

| title5 = Do You Like Criminals?

| note5 = featuring K-Dee

| writer5 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|Kelly Garmon|S. Anderson}}

| extra5 = Bud'da

| length5 = 5:01

| title6 = Gangstas Don't Dance

| note6 = Insert

| writer6 =

| extra6 = Binky Mack

| length6 = 0:22

| title7 = The Gangsta, the Killa and the Dope Dealer

| note7 =

| writer7 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|S. Anderson|Trent Reznor}}

| extra7 = Bud'da

| length7 = 4:15

| title8 = Cross 'Em Out and Put a 'K

| note8 =

| writer8 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|S. Anderson}}

| extra8 = Bud'da

| length8 = 4:56

| title9 = King of the Hill

| note9 =

| writer9 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Quincy Jones III}}

| extra9 = QDIII

| length9 = 4:17

| title10 = 3 Time Felons

| note10 =

| writer10 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|S. Anderson}}

| extra10 = Bud'da

| length10 = 5:10

| title11 = Westward Ho

| note11 =

| writer11 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|Jones III}}

| extra11 = QDIII

| length11 = 5:12

| title12 = The Pledge

| note12 = Insert

| writer12 =

| extra12 =

| length12 = 0:14

| title13 = Hoo-Bangin' (WSCG Style)

| note13 = featuring The Comrads and Allfrumtha I

| writer13 = {{hlist|Jackson|Rolison|Calhoun|Garmon|Terrell Anderson|Garner|Marcus Moore}}

| extra13 = Ice Cube

| length13 = 3:58

| total_length = 48:12

}}

;Sample credits

Track 3 contains an interpolation of "People Make the World Go Round" written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed
Track 7 contains a sample from "Hurt" written by Trent Reznor as recorded by Nine Inch Nails
Track 10 contains an interpolation of "With a Little Help from My Friends" written by Lennon-McCartney

Personnel

O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson – main performer, producer (tracks: 3, 13), co-producer (track 4), engineering, mixing, executive producer
Dedrick "Mack 10" Rolison – main performer
William "WC" Calhoun Jr. – main performer
Kelly "K-Mac" Garmon – featured artist (tracks: 5, 13)
Terrell "Gangsta" Anderson – featured artist (track 13)
Ryan "Binky Mack" Garner – featured artist (track 13), producer (track 4)
Marcus "Squeak Ru" Moore – featured artist (track 13)
Jonathan Hyde – vocals (track 1)
Stephen "Bud'da" Anderson – producer (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
Quincy Delight Jones III – producer (tracks: 9, 11)
Cedric Samson – co-producer (track 3)
Keston Wright – engineering
Art Shoji – art direction, design
Manuel J. Donayre – art direction, design
Michael Miller – photography
Steven Wills – logo artwork
Marvin Watkins – A&R

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col" \| Chart (1996) ! scope="col" \| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="row"\| UK R&B Albums (OCC){{Cite web\|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/19961124/115/\|title=Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40 \| Official Charts Company\|website=www.officialcharts.com}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|22
{{album chart\|Billboard200\|2\|artist=Westside Connection\|accessdate=May 21, 2015\|refname="US200"\|rowheader=true}}
{{album chart\|BillboardRandBHipHop\|1\|artist=Westside Connection\|accessdate=May 21, 2015\|refname="USR&BAl"\|rowheader=true}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" \| Chart (1996) ! scope="col" \| Position
scope="row"\| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/the-billboard-200\|title=Billboard 200 albums year end 1996\|author=\|date=\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=2015-12-18\|archive-date=2017-01-07\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107014057/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/the-billboard-200\|url-status=dead}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|171
scope="row"\| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums\|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=January 27, 2021}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|48

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

scope="col" | Chart (1996)

! scope="col" | Position

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/the-billboard-200|title=Billboard 200 albums year end 1996|author=|date=|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2015-12-18|archive-date=2017-01-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107014057/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/the-billboard-200|url-status=dead}}

| style="text-align:center;"|171

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 27, 2021}}

| style="text-align:center;"|48

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" \| Chart (1997) ! scope="col" \| Position
scope="row"\| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200\|title=Billboard 200 albums year end 1997\|author=\|date=\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=2015-12-18\|archive-date=2017-03-12\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312220513/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200\|url-status=dead}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|64
scope="row"\| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums\|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=January 27, 2021}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|36

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

scope="col" | Chart (1997)

! scope="col" | Position

scope="row"| US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200|title=Billboard 200 albums year end 1997|author=|date=|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2015-12-18|archive-date=2017-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312220513/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/the-billboard-200|url-status=dead}}

| style="text-align:center;"|64

scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=January 27, 2021}}

| style="text-align:center;"|36