Built From Scratch

• Artist: The X-Ecutioners
• Rating:
• Release Date: January 29, 2002
• Type: Contains explicit content
• Genre: Rap

Review

Though it's a clever play on words, the title of the second record from the X-ecutioners is somewhat of an overstatement. The New York turntable crew reworks a few notable songs from rock and hip-hop's history (Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" being the best known), while including several familiar sounds and vocals from the genre's early days. Still, Built From Scratch is a sharp ode to old school hip-hop that focuses on the roll of the turntable rather than the vocals of an MC. That has been the group's intent since the early '90s, and Built From Scratch provides a great showcase for the quartet's turntable skills. However, those skills are sometimes overshadowed by the many collaborations from big names such as Pharaoh Monch, Xzibit, Everlast, Inspectah Deck, and the seemingly out of place Linkin Park. That doesn't mean that these cuts are commercially friendly. These are nitty-gritty rap ventures that stay true to the X-ecutioners' roots and are free of any deliberate pop hooks. [The disc was also released with a bonus remix courtesy of Lo Fidelity Allstars.] ~ Kenyon Hopkin, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Intro		The X-ecutioners	(1:11)
XL	Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(2:39)
X-Ecutioners Scratch	A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:37)
A Journey into Sound	A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(4:31)
Hip Hop Awards (Skit)		The X-ecutioners	(2:49)
3 Boroughs	A. Williams, J.J. Wright, James Todd Smith, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(1:23)
Let It Bang	Angela Johnson, A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Kejuan Muchita, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:30)
X-Ecutioners (Theme) Song	Dan the Automator, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:18)
Feel the Bass	A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:56)
You Can't Scratch (Skit)		The X-ecutioners	(1:21)
It's Goin' Down	Keith Bailey, Joseph Hahn, A. Williams, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(4:08)
Premier's X-Ecution	Angela Johnson, Chris E. Martin, A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Kejuan Muchita, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(4:41)
The X (Y'all Know the Name)	J.K. Hunter, A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:39)
Genius of Love 2002	Adrian Belew, Biz Markie, Chris Frantz, Steven Stanley, Tina Weymouth, A. Williams	The X-ecutioners	(3:56)
Choppin' Niggas Up	A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(2:25)
B-Boy Punk Rock 2001	A. Williams	The X-ecutioners	(2:29)
Who Wants to Be a M*****f**kin' Millionaire (Skit)		The X-ecutioners	(2:47)
Play That Beat		The X-ecutioners	(4:46)
Dramacyde	Kool G Rap, A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(3:36)
X-Ecution of a Bum Rush	J.J. Jackson, A. Williams, J.J. Wright, Robert Aguilar	The X-ecutioners	(2:58)
Play That Beat		The X-ecutioners	(4:22)

Credits

The X-ecutioners (Main Performer)