On February 7, 2000, BIG PUN died suddenly of natural causes resulting from a heart attack and respiratory failure. Though the hip-hop community lost one of it’s most promising voices, the impact of Big Pun’s legacy continues on his upcoming LP, ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Loud Records readies itself to release the posthumous LP, ENDANGERED SPECIES slated to hit the streets on April 3, 2001. Endangered Species features classics from Big Pun’s previous two albums, a collection of new songs, collaborations, and unreleased music. The album packaging also includes liner notes written by Fat Joe and personal photos from Big Pun’s private collection.

Born Christopher Lee Rios on November 10, 1971 in the South Bronx, Big Pun became the first solo Latin MC to achieve platinum sales. In his career, Big Pun recorded two albums: Capital Punishment and Yeeeah Baby! His 1997 debut album, Capital Punishment went double platinum debuting at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 Charts and also received a Grammy nomination for “Best Rap Album.” In 1999, The Source Awards nominated Big Pun, Lyricist of the Year and New Solo Artist Of The Year. The album remix “Still Not A Player” featuring R&B artist, Joe, was nominated for Single Of The Year. “Still Not A Player” still has partygoers of all ages and nationalities chanting “boriqua morena.”

Pun’s sophomore LP “Yeeeah Baby!” entered “The Billboard’s 200” albums Chart at No. 3 just behind N’Sync and Carlos Santana; outselling Sisqo, Dr. Dre, Destiny’s Child, Macy Gray, Kid Rock, and DMX. The album’s first single, “It’s So Hard,” impacted immediately at radio debuting at number 1 on New York Hot 97’s “Top Eight At 8.”

While at the peak of his career, Big Pun and Fat Joe united with Cuban Link, Armageddon, Triple Seis, and Prospect to form The Terror Squad Productions. Executive produced and supervised by Fat Joe, ENDANGERED SPECIES was the original title of Big Pun’s last album which he renamed “Yeeeah Baby!” The album features production by Swizz Beats, Alchemist, Knobody, Young Lord, Buckwild, and others and includes collaborations with Fat Joe, The Terror Squad, Nas, Noreaga, Raekwon, The Lox, Remy Martin, The Beatnuts, and Ricky Martin. Endangered Species features the new song, “How We Roll,” produced by Rashaad which features Pun’s children: Christopher, Jr., Vanessa, and Amanda singing along on the hook. The remix version of “How We Roll” produced by Irv Gotti will be the first single featured from the album. “Loco Bananas” featuring Tony Sunshine, “Brave In The Heart” featuring Terror Squad and “Mama” will be included among the new songs released exclusively on ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Fat Joe says of his friend and fellow Terror Squad member, “This album will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt who was and still is the most lyrical rapper ever to touch a mic.” Loud CEO Steve Rifkind goes on to say, “This album continues Pun’s musical legacy by representing some of the best work he ever did. He is widely recognized as a true hip-hop hero and it’s an honor for me to help uphold his memory.” Tragically Big Pun would only briefly enjoy the success of his rising popularity. On “It’s So Hard,” he celebrates life and jokes that he “almost came home with the Grammy” and you know, he still might.
Endangered Species






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hip hop 4 life