Legal Drug Money

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Legal Drug Money | type = studio | artist = Lost Boyz | cover = Legaldrugmoney.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|1996|06|04}} | recorded = 1994–1996 | studio = {{hlist|Greene St. Recording (New York, NY)|Quad Recording Studio (New York, NY)|D&D Studios (New York, NY)}} | genre = Hip hop | length = {{Duration|m=71|s=3}} | label = {{hlist|Universal|MCA}} | producer = {{hlist|Charles Suitt (also exec.)|Big Dex|Big L|"Buttnaked" Tim Dawg|Dwarf the Black Prince|Easy Mo Bee|Mr. Cheeks|Mr. Sexxx|Pete Rock}} | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Love, Peace & Nappiness | next_year = 1997 | misc = {{Singles | name = Legal Drug Money | type = studio | single1 = Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless | single1date = {{Start date|1995|04|25}} | single2 = Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz | single2date = {{Start date|1995|08|22}} | single3 = Renee | single3date = {{Start date|1996|01|30}} | single4 = Music Makes Me High | single4date = {{Start date|1996|03|03}} | single5 = The Yearn | single5date = {{Start date|1996|06|25}} | single6 = Get Up | single6date = {{Start date|1996|07|17}} }} }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gizzi |first=Dan |title=The Lost Boyz - Legal Drug Money Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/legal-drug-money-mw0000171189 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Muzik'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ashon |first=Will |author-link=Will Ashon |date=August 1996 |title=The Lost Boyz: ''Legal Drug Money'' |url=http://www.muzikmagazine.co.uk/issues/muzik015_august_1996.pdf |magazine=Muzik |issue=15 |page=127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402181226/http://www.muzikmagazine.co.uk/issues/muzik015_august_1996.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2022 |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> | rev3 = ''RapReviews'' | rev3score = 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jost |first=Matt |date=October 27, 2009 |title=Lost Boyz :: Legal Drug Money :: Universal Records |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_lblegaldrugmoney.html |access-date=April 5, 2023 |website=www.rapreviews.com}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Source'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lewis |first=Miles Marshall |author-link=Miles Marshall Lewis |date=June 1996 |issue=81|title=THE LOST BOYZ :: Legal Drug Money :: MCA |magazine=The Source|page=76}}</ref> | noprose = yes }} '''''Legal Drug Money''''' is the debut studio album by American hip hop group the Lost Boyz. It was released on June 4, 1996, via Universal Records. The recording sessions took place at Greene St. Recording, Quad Recording Studios and D&D Studios in New York. It was produced by Big Dex, Mr. Sex, Easy Mo Bee, Big L, "Buttnaked" Tim Dawg, Dwarf the Black Prince, Pete Rock, member Mr. Cheeks, with Charles Suitt serving as co-producer and executive producer.

The album peaked at number six on the ''Billboard'' 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on August 7, 1996.

It featured six singles: "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz", "Renee", "Music Makes Me High", "The Yearn" and "Get Up". Five of the album's singles made it to US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. "Renee" previously was included in ''Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: The Soundtrack'' and received Gold status by the RIAA. Slightly different version of the song "The Yearn" appeared on 1996 benefit compilation album ''America Is Dying Slowly''.

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Intro | lyrics1 = {{hlist|Terrance Kelly|Raymond Rogers}} | music1 = | extra1 = Mr. Cheeks | length1 = 1:25 | title2 = The Yearn | lyrics2 = {{hlist|Kelly|Rogers}} | music2 = | extra2 = Pete Rock | length2 = 3:49 | title3 = Music Makes Me High | lyrics3 = {{hlist|Kelly|Rogers{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | music3 = | extra3 = {{hlist|Mr. Sex|Charles Suitt{{ref|c|[c]}}}} | length3 = 4:31 | title4 = Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz | lyrics4 = {{hlist|Kelly|Tim Patterson}} | music4 = Osten S. Harvey Jr. | extra4 = Easy Mo Bee | length4 = 4:32 | title5 = Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless | lyrics5 = Kelly | music5 = Harvey Jr. | extra5 = Easy Mo Bee | length5 = 4:21 | title6 = Renee | lyrics6 = Kelly | music6 = Garfield Duncan | extra6 = Mr. Sex | length6 = 4:54 | title7 = All Right | lyrics7 = Kelly | music7 = Dexter Archer | extra7 = Big Dex | length7 = 5:50 | title8 = Legal Drug Money | lyrics8 = {{hlist|Kelly|Rogers}} | music8 = {{hlist|Archer|Joe Quinde}} | extra8 = Big Dex | length8 = 5:40 | title9 = Get Up | lyrics9 = Kelly | music9 = Duncan | extra9 = Mr. Sex | length9 = 4:04 | title10 = Is This Da Part | lyrics10 = Kelly | music10 = {{hlist|Patterson|Quinde}} | extra10 = Easy Mo Bee | length10 = 3:45 | title11 = Straight From Da Ghetto | lyrics11 = {{hlist|Kelly|Patterson}} | music11 = {{hlist|Archer|Patterson}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Big Dex|"Buttnaked" Tim Dawg}} | length11 = 3:47 | title12 = Keep It Real | lyrics12 = Kelly | music12 = Archer | extra12 = {{hlist|Big Dex|Big L}} | length12 = 4:11 | title13 = Channel Zero | lyrics13 = Kelly | music13 = Archer | extra13 = Big Dex | length13 = 5:37 | title14 = Da Game | lyrics14 = Kelly | music14 = | extra14 = Big Dex | length14 = 3:43 | title15 = 1, 2, 3 | lyrics15 = {{hlist|Rogers|Kelly}} | music15 = Dwarf the Black Prince | extra15 = Dwarf the Black Prince | length15 = 6:53 | title16 = Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless (Remix) | lyrics16 = Kelly | music16 = | extra16 = Mr. Sex | length16 = 4:01 | total_length = 71:03 }}

;Notes *{{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional lyricist. *{{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} signifies a co-producer.

;Sample credits<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Legal Drug Money|author=Lost Boyz|year=1996|type=liner notes|publisher=Universal Records|id=U2-53010}}</ref> *Track 1 contains elements from "Summer Madness" written by Alton Taylor, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Robert "Kool" Bell, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, Richard "Ricky West" Westfield, George Brown, Claydes Charles Smith and Ronald Bell and performed by Kool & the Gang *Track 3 contains a sample from "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" written by Vaughan Mason and performed by Vaughan Mason & Crew *Track 5 contains elements from "Jealousy" performed by Club Nouveau *Track 8 contains elements from "Whispering Pines" performed by Crusaders *Track 9 interpolates "What You Gonna Do with My Lovin" by Stephanie Mills, and contains samples from "Funky Sensation" written by Kenton Nix and performed by Gwen McCrae *Track 10 contains samples from "Slow Down" written by Carl McIntosh, Steve Nichol and Jane Eugene, "The Look of Love" by Isaac Hayes, and "Jealousy" by Club Norveau *Track 11 contains elements from "Risin' to the Top" written by Keni Burke, Allan W. Felder and Norma Jean Wright *Track 12 interpolates "You're the One I Need" written by Barry White and Smeed Hudman as recorded by Barry White *Track 14 contains elements from "Playing Your Game, Baby" performed by Barry White

==Personnel== {{div col}} *Terrance "Mr. Cheeks" Kelly – lyrics, vocals (tracks: 4–7, 9–14, 16), producer (track 1) *Raymond "Freaky Tah" Rogers – lyrics (tracks: 1, 2, 8, 15), additional lyrics (track 3), vocals (tracks: 4–7, 9–14, 16) *Eric "Pretty Lou" Ruth – additional vocals (track 8), backing vocals (track 14) *Ronald "Spigg Nice" Blackwell – additional vocals (track 8), backing vocals (track 14) *Peter "Pete Rock" Philips – producer & mixing (track 2) *Garfield "Mr. Sexxx" Duncan – producer (tracks: 3, 6, 9, 16), recording (tracks: 3, 16), mixing (tracks: 3, 9, 16), production coordinator *Osten "Easy Mo Bee" Harvey Jr. – producer (tracks: 4, 5, 10) *Dexter "Big Dex" Archer – producer (tracks: 7, 8, 12–14), mixing (tracks: 12, 14) *Tim "Buttnaked Tim Dawg" Patterson – lyrics (tracks: 4, 11), producer (track 11), mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15), A&R, stylist *Lamont "Big L" Coleman – producer (track 12) *Dwarf The Black Prince – producer (track 15) *Charles Suitt – co-producer (track 3), executive producer, A&R, management *Joe Quinde – mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 7, 11–15) *Jamie Staub – engineering (track 2) *Chris Barnett – recording (tracks: 3, 16), mixing (tracks: 3, 9, 16) *Michael Sarsfield – mastering *Sandie Lee Drake – art direction *Kenny Gravillis – design *Danny Clinch – photography *Kathy Baylor – A&R *Dino Delvaille – A&R *Lisa Lindo – stylist *Ericka Riggs – make-up {{div col end}}

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1996) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- {{album chart|UK2|64|date=19960630|artist=Lost Boyz|album=Legal Drug Money|accessdate=April 5, 2023|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|12|date=1996-06-30|rowheader=true|access-date=May 15, 2026}} |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Lost+Boyz&charttitle=&label=&chartcode=TLP|title=Lost Boyz, TLP|work=Billboard|accessdate=April 27, 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | 6 |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/search?artistname=Lost+Boyz&charttitle=&label=&chartcode=BLP|title=Lost Boyz, BLP|work=Billboard|accessdate=April 27, 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | 1 |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1996) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996|work=Billboard|accessdate=April 27, 2021}}</ref> | 122 |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996|work=Billboard|accessdate=April 27, 2021}}</ref> | 26 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Lost Boyz|title=Legal Drug Money|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1996|certyear=1996}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

==Singles== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Song !colspan="4"| Chart positions |- ! US Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|title=The Lost Boyz - Chart history {{!}} Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/418543/lost-boyz/chart|website=www.billboard.com|accessdate=December 23, 2016}}</ref> ! US Hot R&B<ref>{{cite web|title=The Lost Boyz - Chart history {{!}} Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/418543/lost-boyz/chart?f=367|website=www.billboard.com|accessdate=December 23, 2016}}</ref> ! US Hot Rap ! US Hot Dance Sales |- | rowspan="2"|1995 |align="left"|"Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless" | 91 | 60 | 10 | 20 |- | align="left"|"Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" | 67 | 63 | 11 | 21 |- | rowspan="2"|1996 | align="left"|"Renee" | 33 | 13 | 3 | 2 |- | align="left"|"Music Makes Me High" | 51 | 28 | 5 | 3 |- | 1997 | align="left"|"Get Up" | 60 | 31 | 6 | 4 |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Discogs master|78258|Legal Drug Money}}

Category:Lost Boyz albums Category:1996 debut albums Category:Albums produced by Pete Rock Category:Albums produced by Easy Mo Bee Category:Albums recorded at Greene St. Recording