# The Realness

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For other uses, see [The Realness (disambiguation)](/source/The_Realness_(disambiguation)).

***The Realness*** is the debut [studio album](/source/Studio_album) by American rapper [Cormega](/source/Cormega). It features [guest appearances](/source/Guest_appearances) from [Mobb Deep](/source/Mobb_Deep) and [Tragedy Khadafi](/source/Tragedy_Khadafi), as well as production from [Havoc](/source/Havoc_(musician)) of Mobb Deep, [J-Love](/source/J-Love), and [The Alchemist](/source/The_Alchemist_(musician)), among others.[1] It was released via Legal Hustle Records and LandSpeed Records.

*The Realness* was re-released in 2007 with *[The True Meaning](/source/The_True_Meaning)*, Cormega's second album from 2002, in a double special-edition package. The album's sequel, *[The Realness II](/source/The_Realness_II)*, was released on October 7, 2022.

## Background

Cormega rose to fame in the mid-90s as an original member of [The Firm](/source/The_Firm_(hip_hop_group)) hip hop group, along with [Nas](/source/Nas), [AZ](/source/AZ_(rapper)) and [Foxy Brown](/source/Foxy_Brown_(rapper)), appearing on the song "Affirmative Action" from the [Nas](/source/Nas) album *[It Was Written](/source/It_Was_Written)*.[2] After being booted from the group, Cormega signed a record deal with [Def Jam Recordings](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings), and recorded his first album *[The Testament](/source/The_Testament_(Cormega_album))*. The album was eventually shelved, and Cormega was dropped from label, joining LandSpeed Records for his first official release.

## Critical reception

*The Realness* received mostly positive reviews. J-23 of *[HipHopDX](/source/HipHopDX)* praised the album's production, calling it a "pleasant surprise".[3] Matt Conaway of *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)* stated that the album paints Cormega as "one of the most promising thug poets to emerge in quite sometime".[4]

## Track listing

**Sample credits**[citation needed]

- American Beauty - "I've Been Watching You" by [Southside Movement](/source/Southside_Movement)
- R U My Nigga? - "Night Moves" by Frank McDonald
- Unforgiven' - "4th Movement: Passacaglia" by [Yusef Lateef](/source/Yusef_Lateef)
- Rap's a Hustle - "I Choose You" by [Willie Hutch](/source/Willie_Hutch)
- Fallen Soldiers - "Beggar's Song" by [Wet Willie](/source/Wet_Willie)
- They Forced My Hand - "Signal Your Intention" by Hodges, James and Smith
- Glory Days - "Each Day I Cry a Little" by [Eddie Kendricks](/source/Eddie_Kendricks)
- You Don't Want It - "Alone in the Ring" by [Bill Conti](/source/Bill_Conti)
- Fallen Soldiers (Remix) - "Time" by Morning, Noon & Night

## Charts

Chart (2001) Peak position scope="row" scope="row" scope="row"

## Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Various 2001 Cassette LandSpeed Vinyl CD 2014 Digital download Slimstyle Streaming

## References

1. Weinstein, Max (July 24, 2016). ["THE MAKING OF CORMEGA'S 'THE REALNESS'"](https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/07/cormega-the-realness-the-making-of). [XXL](/source/XXL_(magazine)). Retrieved November 13, 2019.

1. ["The Making of Nas' "It Was Written""](http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/the-making-of-nas-it-was-written). *[Complex](/source/Complex_(magazine))*. May 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2019.

1. ((J-23)) (September 2, 2001). ["Cormega - The Realness"](https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.88/title.cormega-the-realness). [HipHopDX](/source/HipHopDX). Retrieved November 13, 2019.

1. Conaway, Matt. ["Cormega - The Realness Review"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-realness-mw0000007012). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved November 13, 2019.

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