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Capital Punishment (Big Pun album)

{{Infobox album

| name = Capital Punishment

| type = studio

| artist = Big Pun

| cover = Capital_Punishment_1998.jpg

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = {{start date|1998|04|28}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = * East Coast hip hop

| length = {{duration|m=71|s=53}}

| label = * RED

| producer = {{hlist|Big Pun {{small|(also executive)}}|Fat Joe {{small|(also executive)}}|Matt Life {{small|(executive)}}|Ju-Ju|Rockwilder|Knobody|Dahoud|Nomad|Mike Zulu|Domingo|Frank Nitty|Younglord|L.E.S.|The Infinite Arkatechz|Minnesota|dead prez|V.I.C.|RZA|Danny O & EQ|Showbiz}}

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Yeeeah Baby

| next_year = 2000

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Capital Punishment

| type = studio

| single1 = I'm Not a Player

| single1date = August 7, 1997

| single2 = Still Not a Player

| single2date = March 28, 1998

| single3 = You Came Up

| single3date = August 22, 1998

}}

}}

Capital Punishment is the debut studio album by American rapper Big Pun, released by RED, Loud Records and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions. Released on April 28, 1998, it is the only album released during his lifetime and is regarded as a hip-hop classic, described by Black Thought of the Roots as "super groundbreaking" upon release.{{cite news |last=Espinoza |first=Joshua |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Black Thought Reflects on the 20th Anniversary of Big Pun's 'Capital Punishment' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/04/black-thought-discusses-big-pun-legacy-20th-anniversary-capital-punishment |work=Complex |access-date=June 26, 2022}} The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts and number one on the Top R&B Albums chart for two weeks. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, but lost to Jay-Z's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It was also the first solo Latin hip hop record to go Platinum.{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Big%20Pun&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|title=Gold & Platinum - Big Pun|publisher=RIAA|accessdate=2010-08-15|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151606/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1|url-status=live}}

Reception

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/capital-punishment-mw0000030622|title=Capital Punishment – Big Pun|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=January 10, 2019|last=Huey|first=Steve|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628154415/https://www.allmusic.com/album/capital-punishment-mw0000030622|url-status=live}}

|rev2 = Christgau's Consumer Guide

|rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm3}}{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=289|chapter=Big Punisher: Capital Punishment|accessdate=January 10, 2019|title=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s|title-link=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|year=2000|isbn=0-312-24560-2|archive-date=January 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110074008/https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=289|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

|rev3score = B+{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com:80/ew/article/0,,283961,00.html|title=Capital Punishment|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 17, 1998|accessdate=January 10, 2019|last=Mukherjee|first=Tiarra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202105552/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,283961,00.html|archive-date=February 2, 2009|url-status=dead}}

|rev4 = The Indianapolis Star

|rev4score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last1=Miley |first1=Scott L. |title=Big Punisher |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=17 May 1998 |page=I8}}

|rev5 = Los Angeles Times

|rev5score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-07-ca-57336-story.html|title=Big Punisher, 'Capital Punishment,' Loud/RCA|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 7, 1998|accessdate=March 18, 2020|last=Baker|first=Soren|author-link=Soren Baker|archive-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318013630/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-07-ca-57336-story.html|url-status=live}}

|rev6 = Q

|rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|title=Big Pun: Capital Punishment|magazine=Q|issue=165|date=June 2000|page=123}}

|rev7 = RapReviews

|rev7score = 9.5/10{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_capital.html|title=Big Punisher :: Capital Punishment :: Loud Records|work=RapReviews|date=February 20, 2001|accessdate=January 10, 2019|last=Juon|first=Steve "Flash"|archive-date=January 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110074053/http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_capital.html|url-status=live}}

|rev8 = Rolling Stone

|rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bigpunisher/albums/album/210996/review/6067932/capital_punishment|title=Big Punisher: Capital Punishment|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 6, 1998|accessdate=January 10, 2019|last=Mao|first=Chairman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001175530/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bigpunisher/albums/album/210996/review/6067932/capital_punishment|archive-date=October 1, 2007|url-status=dead}}

|rev9 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide

|rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book|chapter=Big Pun|last=Ex|first=Kris|title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide|title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|publisher=Simon & Schuster|edition=4th|year=2004|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/71 71]}}

|rev10 = The Source

|rev10score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|title=Big Pun: Capital Punishment|magazine=The Source|issue=105|date=June 1998|last=Alvarez|first=Gabriel|pages=159–160}}

}}

The Indianapolis Star said that "as a character, Punisher often falls into routine street posturing but the personality is as solid as big body that accompanies it." Entertainment Weekly stated: "Everything about this Bronx-bred Puerto Rican rapper is generous, his 400-pound girth, his multiple rhyming within each line, and his talent for spewing out verses without stopping for breath." Q wrote: "Displaying huge lyrical prowess and the requisite 'sensitive' side...[the album] established Pun as a serious rival to Biggie Smalls and something of a ladykiller to boot... Outrageously good." The Source determined that "he'll rhyme every possible word in a line because he wants to be twice as nice... Capital Punishment's all about execution." Rap Pages concluded that "Big Pun is at his best with all barrels firing bullets lacing the air like embroidery on grandmama's quilt."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1110918 |title=Big Punisher – Capital Punishment |magazine=Rap Pages|page=120 |date=September 1998 |accessdate=2012-02-09 |archive-date=2012-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122040453/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1110918 |url-status=live }}

Legacy

Rolling Stone included Capital Punishment on its list of "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time", at 128.{{cite magazine |author= |date=June 7, 2022 |title=The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-hip-hop-albums-1323916/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 26, 2022}}

Track listing

{{Tracklist

| total_length = 1:11:53

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Intro

| writer1 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra1 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length1 = 0:33

| title2 = Beware

| writer2 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra2 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length2 = 3:15

| title3 = Super Lyrical

| note3 = featuring Black Thought

| writer3 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra3 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length3 = 3:28

| title4 = Taster's Choice

| note4 = skit

| writer4 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra4 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length4 = 1:20

| title5 = Still Not a Player

| note5 = featuring Joe

| writer5 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra5 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length5 = 3:56

| title6 = Intermission

| writer6 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra6 = {{flatlist|

  • Mike Zulu

}}

| length6 = 0:21

| title7 = The Dream Shatterer

| writer7 = {{flatlist|

  • Rios

}}

| extra7 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length7 = 3:33

| title8 = Punish Me

| note8 = featuring Miss Jones

| writer8 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra8 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length8 = 4:15

| title9 = Pakinamac Pt. I

| note9 = skit

| writer9 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra9 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length9 = 1:35

| title10 = You Ain't a Killer

| writer10 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra10 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length10 = 4:14

| title11 = Pakinamac Pt. II

| note11 = skit

| writer11 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra11 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length11 = 0:57

| title12 = Caribbean Connection

| note12 = featuring Wyclef Jean

| writer12 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra12 = {{flatlist|

  • Young Lord

}}

| length12 = 3:24

| title13 = Glamour Life

| note13 = featuring Cuban Link, Triple Seis, Fat Joe and Armageddon

| writer13 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra13 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length13 = 4:43

| title14 = Capital Punishment

| note14 = featuring Prospect

| writer14 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra14 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length14 = 4:20

| title15 = Uncensored

| note15 = skit) (featuring DJ Funkmaster Flex

| writer15 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra15 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length15 = 2:12

| title16 = I'm Not a Player

| writer16 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra16 = {{flatlist|

  • Minnesota

}}

| length16 = 3:41

| title17 = Twinz (Deep Cover '98)

| note17 = featuring Fat Joe

| writer17 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra17 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length17 = 3:49

| title18 = The Rain & the Sun

| note18 = Interlude) (featuring dead prez

| writer18 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra18 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length18 = 1:49

| title19 = Boomerang

| writer19 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra19 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length19 = 3:35

| title20 = You Came Up

| note20 = featuring Noreaga

| writer20 = {{flatlist|

  • Rios
  • Stinson

}}

| extra20 = {{flatlist|

  • Rockwilder

}}

| length20 = 3:54

| title21 = Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)

| note21 = featuring Prodigy and Inspectah Deck

| writer21 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra21 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length21 = 4:19

| title22 = Charlie Rock Shout

| note22 = skit

| writer22 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra22 = {{flatlist|

}}

| length22 = 0:26

| title23 = Fast Money

| writer23 = {{flatlist|

  • Rios

}}

| extra23 = {{flatlist|

  • Danny O & EQ

}}

| length23 = 3:48

| title24 = Parental Discretion

| note24 = featuring Busta Rhymes

| writer24 = {{flatlist|

}}

| extra24 = {{flatlist|

  • Showbiz

}}

| length24 = 4:33

}}

"Still Not A Player" is edited on all pressings. The original uncensored version can be found on the promo single.

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits for Capital Punishment adapted from the album liner notes.

{{Div col |colwidth=25em}}

  • Armageddon – featured artist
  • Denise Barbarita – assistant engineer
  • Carlos Bess – mixing
  • Big Pun – executive producer, primary artist
  • Black Thought – featured artist
  • Busta Rhymes – featured artist
  • Sean Cane – A&R
  • Chris Conway – mixing
  • Cuban Link – featured artist
  • Dr. Dre – producer
  • Dahoud – producer
  • Danny O – producer
  • dead prez – producer, featured artist
  • Domingo – producer
  • "E" – mixing
  • EQ – producer
  • Fat Joe – executive producer, featured artist
  • Funkmaster Flex – featured artist
  • Paul Gregory – assistant engineer
  • Che Harris – A&R coordination
  • Daniel "PhotoChop" Hastings
  • Troy Hightower – mixing
  • Tom Hughes – assistant engineer
  • Ken "Duro" Ifil – engineer
  • Wyclef Jean – featured artist
  • Inspectah Deck – featured artist
  • Joe – featured artist
  • Ju-Ju – producer
  • Jugrnaut – producer
  • Knobody – producer
  • Ola Kudu – creative direction
  • Adam Kudzin – engineer
  • L.E.S. – producer
  • Matt Life – executive producer
  • Laurie Marks – A&R coordination
  • Mike D. – A&R
  • Minnesota – producer
  • Miss Jones – featured artist
  • Nastee – engineer
  • Frank Nitty – producer
  • Nomad – producer
  • Prodigy – featured artist
  • Prospect – featured artist
  • Roc Raida – scratches
  • Rockwilder – producer
  • RZA – producer
  • Schott Free – A&R
  • Tony Smalios – engineer, mixing
  • Triple Seis – featured artist
  • Showbiz – producer
  • Soundboy – engineer, mixing
  • Kevin Stone – assistant engineer
  • Nikos Teneketzis – mixing assistant
  • Kieran Walsh – engineer
  • Gregory "Gold" Wilson – assistant engineer
  • Ted Wohlsen – mixing
  • Trauma – producer
  • Young Lord – producer
  • Leon Zervos – mastering
  • Mike Zulu – producer

{{div col end}}

Album chart positions

class="wikitable"
rowspan="2"| Year

!rowspan="2"| Album

!colspan="3"| Chart positions

Billboard 200

! Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums

! Top Canadian Albums

1998

| Capital Punishment

| style="text-align:center;"|5

| style="text-align:center;"|1

| style="text-align:center;"|11

= Singles =

class="wikitable"
Year

! Song

! Hot 100

! Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks

! Hot Rap Singles

! Rhythmic Top 40

! Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales

1997

| "I'm Not a Player"

| align=center|57

| align=center|19

| align=center|3

| align=center

align=center|7
rowspan="2"| 1998

| "Still Not a Player"

| align=center|24

| align=center|6

| align=center|13

| align=center|5

| align=center|1

"You Came Up"

| align=center

align=center|49

| align=center|43

| align=center

align=center

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=Big Punisher|title=Capital Punisher|award=Gold|relyear=1998|certyear=1998}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Big Punisher|title=Capital Punishment|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=1998|certyear=1998}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Big Pun}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Big Pun albums

Category:1998 debut albums

Category:Albums produced by Domingo (producer)

Category:Albums produced by Dr. Dre

Category:Albums produced by the Infinite Arkatechz

Category:Albums produced by L.E.S. (record producer)

Category:Albums produced by Rockwilder

Category:Albums produced by Showbiz (producer)

Category:Albums recorded at Unique Recording Studios

Category:Loud Records albums

Category:RCA Records albums