Trapped in Crime


Trapped in Crime is the third studio album by C-Murder released on September 5, 2000, on No Limit, TRU and Priority. The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Donald XL Robertson, Carlos Stephens, Ke'Noe and more. The album features guest appearances by Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Silkk the Shocker, Young Gunz and more. Trapped In Crime was another success for C-Murder, peaking at number nine on the Billboard 200 and becoming his third straight album to land in the top 10 on that chart while simultaneously topping the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 156,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified Platinum by the RIAA on April 7th, 2001.

Singles

In addition, the single "Down for My N's" is affiliated with Phi Beta Sigma and was quoted in many later rap songs, such as by Lil Wayne in 2 Chainz' song "Yuck!", by Tyga in Hit 'Em Up, by Future in DJ Khaled's "No New Friends", by Kanye West in Blood on the Leaves, and many more. It peaked at number 29 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. "Hustlin" peaked at number 14 on the Canadian Hot 100.

Critical reception

AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier praised the "fairly solid beats" from No Limit's "more competent producers " and C-Murder for delivering some "moderately effective choruses" on the tracks, but criticized the gangsta rap cliches throughout the album, concluding that: "Yes, this is pretty much standard No Limit fare, but it's one of the better late-'90s releases the label churned out and thus worthwhile for fans." Soren Baker of the Los Angeles Times commended C-Murder for using 2Pac's style to relay some "soul-searching and social commentary to his violent tales" and the producers for creating a "steady stream of potent soundscapes that complement C-Murder's gritty vision." Benjamin Meadows-Ingram of Vibe was critical of the poor "gangsta harmony hooks" throughout the overly "smooth production", but highlighted "That Calliope" for its "Halloween theme-esque break" and "rowdy, dirty-South block-party chant" that suggests the label has some staying power, concluding that "Trapped in Crime may reveal a wobbly No Limit camp, but don't expect to see them raise the white flag yet.

Chart positions

Singles

;"Down for My N's"
ChartPosition
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks29

'''Hustlin'''