Nocturnal (Heltah Skeltah album)
Nocturnal is the debut album from hip hop duo Heltah Skeltah, consisting of members Rock and Ruck, members of Brooklyn supergroup Boot Camp Clik. It was the first BCC album to feature some outside producers, such as Shawn J. Period and E-Swift.
Background
The two made their debut on Smif-N-Wessun's 1995 album Dah Shinin'. Later in 1995, Rock and Ruck teamed up with O.G.C. to form the Fab 5, and released the single "Blah" b/w "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka". "Leflah", included here, became a Billboard Hot 100 hit in '95 and the biggest hit from the Boot Camp family to date. "Leflah" was re-released as an A-Side single in early 1996, featuring the first sole Heltah Skeltah track, "Letha Brainz Blo", as its B-Side. The first official single released from the album was "Operation Lock Down", produced by Tha Alkaholiks' E-Swift. Other singles released from the album were "Therapy" and "Da Wiggy".The "Twin Towers" of the Boot Camp Clik gained much recognition and respect in the Hip Hop world with the release of their debut, now hailed as a 90's Hip Hop classic. Led by Rock's rough, booming voice and Ruck's strong lyrical ability, and backed by dark, grimy beats by Da Beatminerz, Shaleek, and others, the release received wide acclaim in the Hip Hop world, but didn't reach much further, selling around 250,000 copies in the US.
Track listing
| # | Title | Songwriters | Producer | Performer |
| 1 | "Intro " | K. Blake, J. McNair, J. Bush | Buckshot, Lord Jamar | Rock, Starang Wondah |
| 2 | "Letha Brainz Blo" | P. Hendricks, S. Price, J. Bush | Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz | Rock, Ruck |
| 3 | "Undastand" | P. Hendricks, S. Price, J. Bush | Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz | Ruck, Rock |
| 4 | "Who Dat?" | K. Blake, S. Price, J. Bush | Buckshot | Ruck, Rock |
| 5 | "Sean Price" | D. Pearson, S. Price | Shaleek | Ruck, Illa Noyz |
| 6 | "Clan's, Posse's, Crew's & Clik's" | E. Dewgarde, J. Bush, S. Price | DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz | Rock, Ruck |
| 7 | "Therapy" | P. Hendricks, S. Price, J. Bush, V. Mojica | Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz | Rock, Ruck as "Dr. Killpatient", Vinia Mojica |
| 8 | "Place to Be" | S. Price, J. Bush, Shawn J. Period | Shawn J. Period | Ruck, Rock |
| 9 | "Soldiers Gone Psyco" | P. Hendricks, J. Bush, S. Price | Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz | Ruck, Rock |
| 10 | "The Square " | S. Price, J. Bush, L. Johnson, B. Muniz | Supreme | Rock, Ruck, Representativz |
| 11 | "Da Wiggy" | W. Dewgarde, J. Bush, S. Price | Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz | Ruck, Rock |
| 12 | "Gettin Ass Gettin Ass" | S. Price, V. Mojica | Dr. Kill Patient aka Sean Price | Ruck, Vinia Mojica |
| 13 | "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" | P. Hendricks, J. McNair, J. Bush, D. Yates, S. Price, B. Powell | Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz | The Fab 5 |
| 14 | "Prowl" | W. Dewgarde, J. Bush, B. Powell, S. Price | Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz | Rock, Ruck, Louieville Sluggah |
| 15 | "Grate Unknown" | D. Pearson, S. Price, J. Bush | Shaleek | Ruck, Rock |
| 16 | "Operation Lock Down" | E. Brooks, J. Bush, S. Price | E-Swift | Rock, Ruck |
| 17 | "Lock Down Skit" | E-Swift | Ruck as "Bejesus", Rock |
Album singles
Music videos
- "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" Director: Marcus Turner Released: 1995
- "Operation Lock Down" Released: 1996
- "Therapy" Director: Gobi Najed