Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Pitchfork7.5/10
RapReviews5.5/10

1st Class is the second full-length studio album by American rapper and producer the Large Professor. It was released on October 8, 2002, through Matador Records. Recording sessions took place at Bang'n Studios and C Mo' Greens Studio in Queens. Production was handled by Large Professor himself, Hill, J-Love and Xplicit, with Kenneth Johnson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Akinyele, Busta Rhymes, Nas and Q-Tip.

The album didn't reach the Billboard 200 chart, however, it peaked at No. 52 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at No. 21 on both the Independent Albums and the Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States. Its lead single, "'Bout That Time", made it to No. 38 on the Hot Rap Songs, while the album's second single, "Radioactive", reached only No. 43 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"William Paul MitchellLarge Professor1:36
2."'Bout That Time"MitchellLarge Professor3:30
3."Ultimate"MitchellLarge Professor2:55
4."Brand New"MitchellLarge Professor3:28
5."Stay Chisel" (featuring Nas)MitchellNasir JonesLarge Professor2:32
6."Akinyele (Live at the BBQ, Pt. 2)" (featuring Akinyele)MitchellAkinyele AdamsLarge Professor2:22
7."In the Sun" (featuring Q-Tip)MitchellJonathan DavisThomas RaicXplicit4:28
8."Born to Ball"MitchellLarge Professor3:48
9."Kool"MitchellJason EliasJ-Love3:47
10."The Man"MitchellLarge Professor4:23
11."Large Pro"MitchellLarge Professor3:23
12."Alive in Stereo"MitchellTommie SpearmanHill, Inc4:06
13."Blaze Rhymez II" (featuring Busta Rhymes)MitchellTrevor SmithLarge Professor3:44
14."On"MitchellLarge Professor2:49
15."Hip Hop"MitchellLarge Professor4:25
16."Radioactive"MitchellLarge Professor5:05
Total length:56:21

Personnel

  • William Paul "Large Professor" Mitchell – vocals, producer (tracks: 1–6, 8, 10, 11, 13–16)
  • Nasir "Nas" Jones – vocals (track 5)
  • Akinyele Adams – vocals (track 6)
  • Jonathan "Q-Tip" Davis – vocals (track 7)
  • Trevor "Busta Rhymes" Smith – vocals (track 13)
  • Thomas "Xplicit" Raic – producer (track 7)
  • Jason "J-Love" Elias – producer (track 9), A&R
  • Tommie "Hill, Inc" Spearman – producer (track 12)
  • Pablo Puente – recording, mixing (tracks: 1, 2, 4–15)
  • Max Vargas – recording & mixing (tracks: 3, 16)
  • James Cruz – mastering
  • Kenneth Johnson – executive producer, A&R
  • Mark Ohe – art direction
  • Matthew Salacuse – photography

Charts

Chart (2002)Peak position
UK R&B Albums (OCC)39
UK Independent Albums (OCC)43
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)52
US Independent Albums (Billboard)21
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)21

External links