Endangered Species (Big Pun album)

Endangered Species
Compilation album by
Big Pun
ReleasedApril 3, 2001 (USA)
Recorded1997–2000
GenreHip hop
Length73:23
LabelLoud Records
ProducerFat Joe (Executive)
Sean Cane (Co-executive)
Big Pun chronology
Yeeeah Baby
(2000) 		Endangered Species
(2001)
Singles from Endangered Species
  1. "How We Roll"
    Released: February 7, 2001
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[2]
NME9/10[3]
RapReviews7/10[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
Vibe[6]

Endangered Species is a posthumous compilation of unreleased tracks, guest appearances, and greatest hits by the late rapper Big Pun, released on April 3, 2001, by Loud Records, following his death in February 2000.[7] The album reached a peak chart position of #7.[8] The proceeds from the album were to be given to Pun's widow, Liza Rios, and their three children. Liza Rios claims to have only received a small royalty check from the sales of Endangered Species, and in response, auctioned off her husband's Terror Squad medallion in July 2005.[9]

The album's single, "How We Roll", featured then R&B-newcomer Ashanti singing the chorus. The music video for the song features both artists animated using cartoon-styled 3D computer graphics.[10] Fellow rapper and close friend Fat Joe, who was also the compilation's executive producer, revealed in the liner notes of the album that the title chosen for the compilation was in fact the original title for 2000's Yeeeah Baby.[citation needed] All of Pun's lyrics were included in the booklet of the disc, partly due to the limited amount of promotional tools available to the label, and partly because of a desire to emphasize Pun's technique as a lyricist.[11]

  1. ^ Azpiri, Jon. "Endangered Species - Big Pun | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  2. ^ Anderson, Tomika (April 13, 2001). "Endangered Species Review". Entertainment Weekly. No. 591. p. 76. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  3. ^ "Big Punisher : Endangered Species". NME. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (April 7, 2001). "Big Pun :: Endangered Species :: Loud Records". RapReviews. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Caramanica, Jon (May 10, 2001). "Life After Death, Pt. VII". Rolling Stone. No. 868. p. 84. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Morales, Riggs (May 2001). "Revolutions: Big Pun – Endangered Species". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. p. 162. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2022 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Big Pun Reminds People 'How We Roll' on Posthumous LP". MTV. Archived from the original on March 13, 2001.
  8. ^ "Billboard 200 – Week of April 21, 2001". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Chery, Carl (June 29, 2005). "Big Pun's Terror Squad Medallion On Sale At eBay For Diddlely". SOHH. Archived from the original on September 9, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Markman, Rob (September 6, 2013). "Eazy-E And ODB At Rock The Bells: The Secrets Behind Their Holograms". MTV. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Baker, Soren (April 8, 2001). "Hip Hop Report: Big Pun's Gone but His Career Is Going Strong". Los Angeles Times. pp. 64, 66. Retrieved June 4, 2024.