Rhythm-al-ism


Rhythm-al-ism is the fourth studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist and producer DJ Quik, released on November 24, 1998, by Arista Records and was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 7, 1999. It peaked at number 63 on the US Billboard 200 chart. He recorded the album at Skip Sailor Recordings in Los Angeles, and worked with producer G-One. The album featured the singles "You'z a Ganxta", "Hand In Hand" featuring 2nd II None & El DeBarge, and "Down, Down, Down" featuring Suga Free, Mausberg & AMG.

Background and recording

In an interview with Complex, DJ Quik spoke on the background and recording process of Rhythm-al-ism stating, “With the Rhythm-al-ism album, even though it didn't have a home because Profile Records was going through something and I was fighting them for back royalties and they had me on suspension because they didn't want to pay me. I understood, those were some big checks, I wouldn't want to pay DJ Quik either. "I think that's when I lost my rough edges, I lost the gangster and became like an R&B pretty boy. "The name Rhythm-al-ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy".
The cover art and some aspects of the album were inspired by L.A. rock band the Doors, confirmed by Quik himself via Instagram.

Critical reception

Rhythm-al-ism received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. AllMusic wrote, "Considering its guest list—packed with enough star power to fill a 'Wrestlemania' card—Rhythm-al-ism promises more than it actually delivers."
Soren Baker of the Los Angeles Times felt that DJ Quik delivered "his richest music to date", saying the vibrant production makes the "explicit sexual romps" more friendly and wholesome than other rap acts' "menacing and evil" tales, concluding that "the music is so enjoyable, it's easy to overlook the collection's clever wordplay." Pedro 'DJ Complejo' Hernandez of RapReviews said the record "exhibits all the characteristics that make Quik the underground star he is. It's a recommended addition to anybody's collection and a testament to the fact that though outshined by its East Coast counterparts at times, the West Coast keeps partying as strong as ever."

Accolades

In 2012, Kendrick Lamar included the album on his "Complex Top 25 Favorite Albums" list and wrote that: "'Down, Down, Down,' that used to be crazy. I came across this record in middle school. Middle school, just playing 'Down, Down, Down' all day. Going on the bus and bumping that. 'Speed' was crazy, 'Hand In Hand.' 'Speed' was crazy. The interlude was crazy too, he always has a lot of crazy interludes." In 2025, Pitchfork placed it at number 34 on their list of the "100 Best Rap Albums of All Time". The website's writer Joshua Minsoo Kim said that while DJ Quik "raps on here like your impish best friend, Rhythm-al-isms hedonistic celebrations feel urgent, valorizing that most important thing in life: having a good time."

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number sixty three on the US Billboard 200 and spent 29 weeks on the chart. It also debuted at number thirteen on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and spent 39 weeks on the chart as well. The album was certified Gold on July 27, 1999, by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies.

Track listing

Co-producer
Sample credits

Personnel

Credits for Rhythm-al-ism adapted from liner notes.
  • 2nd II None – performer, primary artist
  • AMG – performer, primary artist
  • Del Atkins – bass
  • Robert Bacon – guitar
  • Agnes Baddoo – stylist
  • Kenneth Crouch – fender rhodes, piano
  • El DeBarge – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Dee – background vocals
  • DJ Quik – bass, drums, executive producer, mixing, percussion, primary artist, producer, synthesizer
  • Sheppard Lane – executive producer
  • Nate Dogg – guest artist
  • Charles Green – horn
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Peter Gunz – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Playa Hamm – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Anthony Harrison, Jr. – art direction
  • Hi-C – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Stan Jones – guitar
  • Dionne Knighton – background vocals
  • Mausberg – guest artist, primary artist
  • Eric McCaine – percussion
  • Chris Puram – assistant engineer
  • Snoop Dogg – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Suga Free – guest artist, performer, primary artist
  • Ron Townsend – flute
  • Marvin Watkins – guitar
  • Michael Wong – photography