On at the present time in 2002, Yonkers native and LOX co-founder Types P stepped out on his personal with the discharge of his debut solo album A Gangster and a Gentleman by way of Ruff Ryders/Interscope Information.
With a title that completely captured his twin nature—cold-blooded on the mic, smart past the streets—A Gangster and a Gentleman launched the world to a solo Types P who wasn’t simply spitting gritty bars however delivering perspective, ache, and poetic realism. The album served as a uncooked and reflective blueprint of road life, backed by unapologetic lyricism and soulful manufacturing that made it an instantaneous basic amongst followers of true East Coast rap.
The venture’s largest breakout got here within the type of the anthemic “Good Instances (I Get Excessive),” a hazy, hypnotic monitor produced by Swizz Beatz and Saint Denson that celebrated natural remedy lengthy earlier than it turned a popular culture development. The only shortly turned a road anthem and a licensed hit, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Scorching 100 and incomes Types P widespread solo recognition.
All through the album, Types stayed in his zone—dropping introspective jewels on joints like “My Brother,” “Yall Don’t Wanna Fuck,” and “The Life” that includes Pharoahe Monch, which confirmed the emcee’s deeper, extra philosophical facet. With options from his LOX brothers Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, together with Jadakiss’ cousin J-Hood, Angie Stone, Lil’ Mo, and M.O.P., the album balanced soulful hooks with rugged verses.
The manufacturing lineup was stacked—Swizz Beatz, Ayatollah, DJ Clue, Rockwilder, and the Alchemist helped sculpt a sonic ambiance that completely matched Types’ meditative but militant type.
Gangster and a Gentleman would go on to be licensed Gold, cementing Types P not simply as one-third of The LOX, however as a solo pressure with a voice that speaks for the streets and the wrestle.
Salute to the Ghost for delivering a timeless venture that’s nonetheless in rotation 22 years later. This one aged like fantastic cognac—robust, clean, and constructed for the actual ones.