The Pillage

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = The Pillage | type = Studio | artist = Cappadonna | cover = Cappapillage.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|1998|3|24}} | recorded = 1996–1997 | studio = {{hlist|36 Chambers (New York City)|Soundtrack (New York City)|Sony (New York City)}} | genre = Hip-hop | length = {{Duration|m=57|s=43}} | label = {{hlist|Razor Sharp|Wu-Tang|Epic Street}} | producer = {{hlist|RZA (also exec.)|4th Disciple|Goldfinghaz|Mathematics|True Master}} | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = The Yin and the Yang | next_year = 2001 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Wu-Tang Clan solo | type = studio | prev_title = Ironman | prev_year = 1996 | title = The Pillage | year = 1998 | next_title = Tical 2000: Judgement Day | next_year = 1998 }} {{Singles | name = The Pillage | type = studio | single1 = Slang Editorial | single1date = 1998 | single2 = Run | single2date = 1998 }} }} '''''The Pillage''''' is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Cappadonna. It was released on March 24, 1998, through Razor Sharp, Wu-Tang, and Epic Street, a division of Epic Records. The recording sessions took place at 36 Chambers Studio in New York, except for the song "Everything Is Everything", which was recorded at Soundtrack Studios and Sony Music Studios in New York. The production was handled by Wu-Elements (True Master, Goldfinghaz, 4th Disciple, Mathematics) and the RZA, who also served as executive producer together with Ghostface Killah, Mitchell "Divine" Diggs and Oliver "Power" Grant. It features guest appearances from fellow Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates Killa Bamz, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Tekitha, Blue Raspberry, Raekwon, Rhyme Recca and U-God.

In the United States, the album debuted at number 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with 132,000 copies sold in its first week.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Boehlert|first=Eric|author-link=Eric Boehlert|date=April 2, 1998|title=Cappadonna Debuts At No. 3|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cappadonna-debuts-at-no-3-244467/|access-date=March 27, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref> In its second week, the album charted at number 16 on the Billboard 200 and sold an additional 63,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/151373/gang-starr-rises-from-rap-underground-to-6/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209062727/http://www.mtv.com/news/151373/gang-starr-rises-from-rap-underground-to-6/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2019|title=GANG STARR RISES FROM RAP UNDERGROUND TO #6|website=MTV |access-date= March 12, 2022}}</ref> It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on April 24, 1998. It also peaked at No. 8 in Canada, No. 28 in the Netherlands, No. 36 in Finland, No. 43 in the United Kingdom, No. 58 in France and No. 67 in Germany.

The song "Run" later appeared on ''Bulworth '''–''' The Soundtrack''.

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=The Pillage - Cappadonna {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pillage-mw0000034554|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> | rev2 = Robert Christgau | rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|title=Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 2160|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=2160|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=www.robertchristgau.com}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev3score = B<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Weingarten|first=Marc|date=April 3, 1998|title=The Pillage|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/04/03/pillage/|access-date=March 27, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en}}</ref> | rev5 = ''NME'' | rev5score = 5/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|date=1998|title=CAPPADONNA The Pillage (Razor Sharp / Epic)|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000807reviews.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817213822/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000807reviews.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2000-08-17|magazine=NME|access-date=March 27, 2021|via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev6score = 3.8/10<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schreiber|first=Ryan|author-link=Ryan Schreiber|date=October 3, 2000|title=Cappadonna: The Pillage: Pitchfork Review|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/c/cappadonna/pillage.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001003005926/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/c/cappadonna/pillage.shtml|archive-date=2000-10-03|url-status=live|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=Pitchfork|via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> | rev7 = ''RapReviews'' | rev7score = 7/10<ref>{{Cite web|last=Noixe|date=June 23, 2001|title=Cappadonna :: The Pillage :: Razor Sharp Records/Epic|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_thepillage.html|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=www.rapreviews.com}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hunter|first=James|date=1998|title=Album Reviews Cappadonna The Pillage|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/cappadonna/albums/album/147199/review/6210933/the_pillage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010121519/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/cappadonna/albums/album/147199/review/6210933/the_pillage|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-10-10|magazine=Rolling Stone|issue=783|access-date=March 27, 2021|via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Source'' | rev9score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Chow|first=Dao-Yi "Durwin"|date=May 1998|issue=104|title=Record Report: Cappadonna – The Pillage|url=http://thesource.tunes.com/sections/reports/text/report.asp?from=&artist=4225&album=28665|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000124182612/http://thesource.tunes.com/sections/reports/text/report.asp?from=&artist=4225&album=28665|archive-date=January 24, 2000|magazine=The Source|page=146|location=New York|access-date=September 10, 2024}}</ref> }} The ''Los Angeles Times'' labeled the album "equal parts garble-mouth boast fest, urban survival kit and sonic boom."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Brett |title=Cappadonna Shows Range Away from Wu-Tang Clan |work=Los Angeles Times |date=11 Apr 1998 |page=F16}}</ref>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''The Pillage'' | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Slang Editorial | note1 = | writer1 = {{hlist|Darryl Hill|Derek Harris}} | extra1 = True Master | length1 = 4:46 | title2 = Pillage | note2 = featuring Killa Bamz | writer2 = {{hlist|Hill|Scott Kinchen}} | extra2 = Goldfinghaz | length2 = 3:14 | title3 = Run | note3 = | writer3 = {{hlist|Hill|Robert Diggs}} | extra3 = RZA | length3 = 4:00 | title4 = Blood on Blood War | note4 = featuring Killa Bamz | writer4 = {{hlist|Hill|Diggs}} | extra4 = RZA | length4 = 3:55 | title5 = Supa Ninjaz | note5 = featuring U-God and Method Man | writer5 = {{hlist|Hill|Lamont Hawkins|Clifford Smith|Harris}} | extra5 = True Master | length5 = 3:24 | title6 = MCF | note6 = | writer6 = {{hlist|Hill|Diggs}} | extra6 = RZA | length6 = 3:54 | title7 = Splish Splash | note7 = | writer7 = {{hlist|Hill|Harris}} | extra7 = True Master | length7 = 2:02 | title8 = Oh-Donna | note8 = featuring Ghostface Killah | writer8 = {{hlist|Hill|Dennis Coles|Ronald Bean}} | extra8 = Mathematics | length8 = 3:50 | title9 = Milk the Cow | note9 = featuring Method Man | writer9 = {{hlist|Hill|Harris}} | extra9 = True Master | length9 = 3:45 | title10 = South of the Border | note10 = | writer10 = {{hlist|Hill|Diggs}} | extra10 = True Master | length10 = 2:51 | title11 = Check for a Nigga | note11 = | writer11 = {{hlist|Hill|Selwyn Bougard}} | extra11 = 4th Disciple | length11 = 4:00 | title12 = Dart Throwing | note12 = featuring Raekwon and Method Man | writer12 = {{hlist|Hill|Corey Woods|Smith|Harris}} | extra12 = True Master | length12 = 3:09 | title13 = Young Hearts | note13 = featuring Blue Raspberry | writer13 = {{hlist|Hill|Diggs}} | extra13 = RZA | length13 = 3:13 | title14 = Everything Is Everything | note14 = featuring Rhyme Recca | writer14 = {{hlist|Hill|Kinchen}} | extra14 = Goldfinghaz | length14 = 3:49 | title15 = Pump Your Fist | note15 = featuring Tekitha and Killa Bamz | writer15 = {{hlist|Hill|Tekitha Washington|Diggs}} | extra15 = RZA | length15 = 3:38 | title16 = Black Boy | note16 = featuring Tekitha | writer16 = {{hlist|Hill|Kinchen}} | extra16 = Goldfinghaz | length16 = 4:13 | total_length = 57:43 }} {{Track listing | headline = ''The Pillage''{{nobold| – bonus track for Europe}} | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title17 = {{-'}}97 Mentality | note17 = featuring Ghostface Killah | writer17 = {{hlist|Hill|Coles|Diggs}} | extra17 = RZA | length17 = 5:05 | total_length = 62:48 }}

'''Sample credits''' * Track 16 contains a sample of "You, I Adore" written by Anthony Sepe and Barry White and performed by the Love Unlimited Orchestra.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Pillage|others=Cappadonna|year=1998|type=booklet|publisher=Razor Sharp Records|id=488850 2}}</ref>

==Personnel== *Darryl "Cappadonna" Hill – vocals *Walbert "Killer Bamz" Dale – vocals (tracks: 2, 4, 15) *Lamont "U-God" Hawkins – vocals (track 5) *Clifford "Method Man" Smith – vocals (tracks: 5, 9, 12) *Dennis "Ghostface Killah" Coles – vocals (tracks: 8, 17), executive producer *Corey "Raekwon" Woods – vocals (track 12) *Candi "Blue Raspberry" Lindsey – vocals (track 13) *Thaddaeus "Rhyme Recca" Birkett – vocals (track 14) *Tekitha Washington – vocals (tracks: 15, 16) *Derek "True Master" Harris – producer (tracks: 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12), mixing (tracks: 1, 5, 8–10, 12) *Scott "Goldfinghaz" Kinchen – producer & mixing (tracks: 2, 14, 16) *Robert "RZA" Diggs – producer & mixing (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 13, 15, 17), executive producer, supervisor *Ronald "Allah Mathematics" Bean – producer (track 8) *Selwyn "4th Disciple" Bougard – producer & mixing (track 11) *Ted Wohlsen – mixing (tracks: 1, 7) *Nolan "Dr. No" Moffitte – mixing (tracks: 2, 14–16), engineering *Jason Groucott – engineering assistant (tracks: 1, 7) *Mitchell "Divine" Diggs – executive producer *Oliver "Power" Grant – executive producer *Ron Jaramillo – art direction, design *Daniel Hastings – photography *Jeff Trotter – A&R

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

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1998) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- {{album chart|BillboardCanada|8|artist=Cappadonna|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 27, 2021}} |- !scope="row"|Canadian R&B Albums (SoundScan)<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 1998 |title=Edmonton's Top 10 R&B Albums |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |page=C3 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116919381/edmonton-journal/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |1 |- {{album chart|Netherlands|28|artist=Cappadonna|album=The Pillage|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Finland|36|artist=Cappadonna|album=The Pillage|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|France|58|artist=Cappadonna|album=The Pillage|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Germany|67|id=28870|artist=Cappadonna|album=The Pillage|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|UK2|43|artist=Cappadonna|date=19980329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|4|artist=Cappadonna|date=19980329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=Cappadonna|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 27, 2021}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Cappadonna|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 27, 2021}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1998) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1998/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=March 27, 2021}}</ref> | 69 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|artist=Cappadonna|title=The Pillage|certyear=1998|type=album|relyear=1998}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Discogs master|56924|Cappadonna – The Pillage}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pillage, The}} Category:1998 debut albums Category:Cappadonna albums Category:Epic Records albums Category:Albums produced by RZA Category:Albums produced by Mathematics Category:Albums produced by True Master Category:Albums produced by 4th Disciple