Roots of Evil
# Roots of Evil

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | |
| RapReviews | 8.0/10 |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| The Source | |

Roots Of Evil is the second solo album by Mafioso rap artist Kool G Rap, released in 1998 by Kool G's record label, Illstreet. It boasts two singles, "Foul Cats" and "Can't Stop the Shine," and reached #43 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album contains the first recorded appearance of Papoose.

## Production

The album was recorded in Arizona, during a period of time where G. Rap was purposely avoiding New York.

## Critical reception

Complex wrote that "G. Rap's rhymes are so richly detailed that they put you right there in the heart of the action."

## Track listing

| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) | Length |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | "Intro" | | *Interlude* | 1:43 |
| 2 | "Hitman's Diary" | Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 3:43 |
| 3 | "One Dark Night" | Fade For Underworld Productions | Kool G Rap | 1:45 |
| 4 | "Foul Cats" | CJ Moore, Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 3:23 |
| 5 | "Tekilla Sunrise" | CJ Moore, Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 4:31 |
| 6 | "At Da Wake" | | *Interlude* | 1:10 |
| 7 | "Home Sweet Funeral Home" | Haji A. | Jinx, Kool G Rap, Papoose | 2:51 |
| 8 | "Mobsta's" | Fade For Underworld Productions | Kool G Rap | 3:18 |
| 9 | "Let the Games Begin" | Rich 5 | Kool G Rap | 3:28 |
| 10 | "A Thugs Love Story (Chapter I, II, III)" | CJ Moore, Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 9:33 |
| 11 | "Da Bosses Lady" | A. Evans | Camileone, Kool G Rap | 3:54 |
| 12 | "Mafioso" | Rich 5 | Kool G Rap | 2:51 |
| 13 | "Thug's Anthem" | E. Thompson | Johnny 2 Gunz, Kool G Rap, Pokaface | 3:46 |
| 14 | "Da Heat" | CJ Moore, Dr. Butcher | Kool G Rap | 3:34 |
| 15 | "Can't Stop the Shine" | Kool G Rap | Kool G Rap, Miss Jones | 3:58 |
| 16 | "Cannon Fire" | Kool G Rap | Kool G Rap | 4:11 |
| 17 | "Outro" | | *Interlude* | 1:05 |
| 18 | "Daddy Figure" | Fade For Underworld Productions, J. Stank | Kool G Rap | 5:06 |

## Samples

* "Cannon Fire"
   * "Ballad for the Fallen Soldier" by The Isley Brothers
* "Can't Stop The Shine"
   * "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" by Stephanie Mills
* "Da Bosses Lady"
   * "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge
* "Foul Cats"
   * "Poor Abbey Walsh" by Marvin Gaye
* "Hitman's Diary"
   * "You Light Up My Life" by Jean Carne
* "Let The Games Begin"
   * "Have Mercy on Me" by The East St. Louis Gospelettes
* "Mobsta's"
   * "Ain't No Sunshine" by Tom Jones
* "A Thug's Love Story (Chapter I, II, III)"
   * "Mellow Mood (Part I)" by Barry White

## Album singles

* Single information
* "Foul Cats"
* Released: September 1, 1998
* B-Side:
* "Can't Stop the Shine"
* Released: 1998
* B-Side: "Thugs Anthem"

## Charts

| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 43 |
