Fire and Glory is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released November 15, 2005 through EMI and Virgin Records, exclusively in Canada. Two hit singles were released from the album, "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" and "Feel Alright".
Background In 2003, Kardinal released "Belly Dancer", featuring Pharrell Williams, which was originally the lead single from his album Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory.Kardinal Offishall - Man on Fire Exclaim!. Accessed on September 28, 2009. The album was scheduled for a summer 2003 release on MCA Records, and was supposed to be his big-budget commercial breakthrough. However, the album was delayed numerous times, and MCA was absorbed by Geffen Records in May. Kardinal lost his chance to release the album, and it was shelved.Kardinal Offishall Biography MapleMusic. Accessed on September 28, 2009.Kardinal Offishall: Northern Exposure HipHopDX. Accessed on September 28, 2009.Border Block - Canadian Hip Hop vs. America CBC. Accessed on September 28, 2009.
Fire and Glory, the follow-up to Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1, featured collaborations with popular artists, such as Busta Rhymes, Vybz Kartel and Estelle.[ Kardinal Offishall > Biography] Allmusic. Accessed on September 28, 2009. Three songs from the album — "Whatchalike", "All the Way" and "Mr. Officer" — were supposed to appear on the Firestarter Vol. 2 album.Hardy Kardi Montreal Mirror. Accessed on January 22, 2009. The album produced three singles and music videos in Canada: "Heads Up", "Feel Alright" and "Everyday (Rudebwoy)", the latter receiving heavy rotation on MuchMusic. In June 2006, Kardinal won three MuchMusic Video Awards for "Everyday (Rudebwoy)". A remix of the song "Last Standing Soldier" was released as a single in 2006, featuring Bedouin Soundclash.
Kardinal explained why he chose Fire and Glory as the name of the album:
Reception
RapReviews.com gave the album an 8.5/10 rating, stating "Fire and Glory is a better album than Firestarter Vol. 1," and "aside from having better lyrics than most of his counterparts, Kardinal's unique style also sets him apart."Kardinal Offishall :: Fire and Glory RapReviews. Accessed on September 28, 2009. The album was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2006 Juno Awards.
Track listing # Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Length1."Last Standing Soldier"Kardinal Offishall4:462."E.G.G. (Everybody Gone Gangsta)"Mr. AtticVybz Kartel4:173."Heads Up" Kardinal Offishall3:164."Everyday (Rudebwoy)" Kardinal OffishallRay Robinson5:065."The Best Man"Kardinal OffishallSpragga Benz and Darryl Riley4:016."Freshie" Kardinal OffishallRo Dolla4:387."Sunday" Kardinal Offishall4:358."Kaysarasara" Jake OneEstelle5:059."Neva New (Till I Kissed You)"Kardinal Offishall4:1010."Mr. Officer" Ro Dolla (co-produced by Kardinal Offishall)Renee Neufville3:5911."Watchalike" Kardinal OffishallBusta Rhymes3:2512."Fire and Glory"ExileNicole Moses4:2513."Feel Alright" Kardinal Offishall3:5714."All the Way"Kardinal Offishall6:30
Samples "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" – Contains a sample of "People Everyday" (metamorphosis mix) by Arrested Development "Neva New (Till I Kissed You)" – Contains a sample of "Till I Kiss You" by Nana McLean "Mr. Officer" – Contains a sample of "Chant a Psalm" by Steel Pulse
Personnel Allistair – vocals Jully Black – vocals Craig Boyko – photography Busta Rhymes – lyricist, guest appearance Theodore Daley – cover art concept Exile – producer, instrumentation Kardinal Offishall – piano, vocals, producer, liner notes, executive producer, shaker, A&R, instrumentation Anne Keenan – photography Russ Klyne – guitar Mayday – executive producer, A&R Mr. Attic – producer, instrumentation Antoine Moonen – package design Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan – executive producer, A&R Nicole Moses – vocals, lyricist Renee Neufville – vocals, lyricist Darryl Riley – vocals Ivana Santilli – horn Silver (Solitair) – executive producer, A&R
References
External links Album credits at Discogs