Videos: The Firm

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The Firm was an American hip hop supergroup that formed in New York City in 1996. It was created by rapper Nas, his manager Steve Stoute, producer Dr. Dre and production team the Trackmasters. The group was composed of East Coast-based rappers Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ and Nature, who served as a replacement for Cormega after he was ousted from the group.

Although the group received initial hype and high expectations from fans upon their formation after collectively signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, The Firm's debut album, The Album (1997), generated disappointing sales and generally negative criticism. The album, which featured predominant mafioso rap-themes and production from Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters, was criticized for its mainstream, pop-orientation. Their debut album was the group's only release and it subsequently disbanded in 1998 with each member continuing their solo careers.

The Firm's origins lie in the recording of Nas' studio album It Was Written (1996), which included a collaboration on the song "Affirmative Action" with East Coast-based rappers AZ, Cormega, and Foxy Brown.[1] The supergroup was a project created by rapper Nas, his manager Steve Stoute, West Coast-based rapper and producer Dr. Dre, and production team the Trackmasters.[2] The resulting line-up included Nas, Brown, AZ and rapper Nature. Cormega had been ousted from the group and was replaced by Nature prior to recording The Firm's debut, due to artistic differences between him and Nas, as well as contract disagreements with Nas' manager Steve Stoute.[1] Prior to their formation, the members were at transitional stages of their careers, as Nas had commercialized his musical style with his sophomore album,[1] Foxy Brown had earned her first recording contract,[3] AZ had gained critical acclaim for his 1995 debut album Doe or Die (1995),[4] and Cormega had chosen to continue his rapping career after his release from prison in 1995.[5] The project also served as an attempt by Dr. Dre to focus on producing other artists work rather than his solo work, following his departure from Death Row Records and the formation of his Aftermath label, which the group was collectively signed to.[6] After the announcement of the group's formation by Dr. Dre,[6] all involved with the project hyped it heavily, creating considerable buzz.[2]

The group's only studio album, The Album (1997) was a concept album that revolved around mafioso rap-themes, and featured notable production work from Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters.[7] While anticipated with much hype, The Album received generally negative reviews and generated disappointing sales upon its release.[8] Despite the group's excessive hype and its mainstream musical approach, The Firm did not meet the expectations of fans who were introduced to the group via It Was Written,[6] and The Album was heavily dismissed by fans and music writers for its focus on a more mainstream, R&B and pop-orientation, rather than the members' previous styles.[7] Nas particularly was believed by fans and critics to have abandoned his roots in favor of seeking pop stardom.[7]

The Firm disbanded the following year and its members continued their solo careers.[9] Nas's and Dr. Dre's participation in the group furthered speculation by fans and critics that the two artists were losing their creativity and appeal.[1][8][10] Their work during this period has since been considered the weakest and least successful of their careers.[1][8] The replacing of Cormega with rapper Nature strained his friendship with Nas. Cormega, who continued to resent being ousted from the group, released the white label "Fuck Nas & Nature",[1] circulating it through the mixtape market.[2] Nature retaliated through a verse contribution on a DJ Clue mixtape [1]. The two have since ended their beef and have recorded and performed together [11]. After a short-lived truce, Nas attacked Cormega on the diss track "Destroy & Rebuild" from his fifth studio album Stillmatic (2001).[12] In December 2006, Cormega, Foxy Brown and Nas reunited to perform "Affirmative Action" live on-stage,[5] ending the beef between Cormega and Nas.[13] A reunion was not confirmed.[14] In an August 2010 interview with MTV, Foxy Brown stated there have been recent discussions on a Firm reformation, dependent on the remaining four agreeing to it