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In 1999, Harlem World burst into the Hip Hop scene with their debut album The Movement. While it remains the sole album the Ma$e-led group ever released, they certainly left their mark on the music world with the body of work. March 9, 2024 marked 25 years since Harlem World released The Movement. Admittedly, many new Hip Hop heads will be unfamiliar with the group since they peaked in 1999. However, back then, for a brief moment, Harlem World was one of the most exciting new Hip Hop groups. Despite their disbandment, their legacy has lived on through The Movement, and the album has aged well enough. 

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The Background Of Harlem World’s Debut Album

Harlem World was formed by Mase, a prominent figure in the rap scene and the current host of It Is What Is Is, and featured a collective of talented artists. All seven of the group’s members hailed from the popular neighborhood in New York City where they started rapping. After being formed in 1995, they began working on their then-untitled debut album. Subsequently, on March 9, 1999, Harlem World released The Movement through So So Def Recordings/Columbia Records.

At the time of its release, Harlem was experiencing a resurgence of cultural and artistic vitality. This era of creativity and expression provided the perfect backdrop for the group to channel their experiences, aspirations, and struggles into their music. Before The Movement, Harlem World did not release any non-album singles, and neither were they featured by another artist. Their debut album was their official introduction to the world.

Words And Sounds Of The Movement 

One of this album’s most defining features is its eclectic mix of musical styles. It blends Hip Hop, R&B, and soul with effortless finesse, creating a rich and immersive soundscape. Being that it features an impressive lineup of producers, the sonic excellence of The Movement is not surprising. Some of the sound alchemists credited on the project are The Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Evidently, Harlem World and Mase were determined to create an amazing project. Songwriting was handled by members of the group, with additional help from some renowned songwriters. These include Skip Scarborough, Melvin Smalls, as well as the aforementioned Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams, among others.

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Features And Standout Tracks

Throughout the 17-track album, several artists make guest appearances. For example, Carl Thomas and Nas are featured on “You Made Me,” Nauty on “Minute Man,” and Rashad on “Not The Kids.” Additionally, Mase, who is also an executive producer on the album, appears on four tracks. These are, “Crew Of The Year,” “Across The Border,” “One Big Fiesta,” and “I Really Like It,” which also features Kelly Price. Drag-On, The Teamsters, Rashad, Jermaine Dupri, and Boys Choir of Harlem round off the featured acts on The Movement.

Harlem World only released two tracks from The Movement as singles, “I Really Like It” and “Cali Chronic.” Without a doubt, those are two of the album’s standout tracks, as well as its most successful. They appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, peaking at numbers 61 and 87 respectively. Some other strong entries on the album are “Not The Kids” and “One Big Fiesta” ft. Mase.

The Legacy Of Harlem World

After Harlem World dropped The Movement in 1999, the album received not-so-favorable reviews from critics. However, other listeners seemed to love the project, and it was a commercial success. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA just a month after its release. Unfortunately, Harlem World disbanded later in 1999 despite the success of The Movement. Nevertheless, their work was already done as The Movement was already out in the world. 25 years after its release, the album continues to carry the legacy of the short-lived Hip Hop group.

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