1 Life 2 Live - 1 Life 2 Live: Deluxe Edition [Unreleased, 2000]

An unofficial deluxe edition to Timbaland-affiliated act and super underrated hip-hop trio 1 Life 2 Live’s unreleased self-titled debut album (2000).

Formed in 1997 by lead member and Bronx, NY deejay Juan “Red Handed” Cordova, 1 Life 2 Live would consist of the disc-spinning New Yorker alongside his fellow next-door neighbors John “Rambo” Arias and Tanya “Babe Blue” Garcia, whom both had strong passions of embarking on rap careers. Showcasing their unique flow on an appearance via a DJ LS One tape, the trio collected notoriety from street crowds and underground rap fanatics for their gritty, alternative style.

As time elapsed, the three-team squad would sign to LaFace Records and make their commercial debut as a guest feature on superproducer Timbaland’s single “Can’t Nobody”, as ripped from his solo debut project “Tim’s Bio: Life from da Bassment” (1998). When the song began to started to climb on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs, a video was shot in place for the single to intensify its hype and popularity and later would go on to receive moderate rotation on BET and its sister channel BET Hip-Hop.

Following the visual’s release, 1 Life 2 Live was invited to perform on ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ and later caught the attention of female rap titan Foxy Brown. The raptress would then go on to include the group as supporting performers in various concert venues she and her team held overseas (most notably in Japan) to evoke further exposure of the group’s presence.

Once the buzz was attained, 1 Life began composing material for their forthcoming debut.

Picks for a lead single however led to conflict between the group and record label chairman L.A. Reid, who argued that the collective utilize the Timbaland-produced “Keep Movin’” since the threesome had already established a preceding Timbaland number in the market. Each member retaliated and felt that other songs should be considered in its place; reaching middle ground, “Never Fall in Love with Hoes” was chosen but received little support from radio and listeners.

Further issues stemmed from 1 Life 2 Live wanting specific guests on their album, most notably Eminem being requested as an immediate stand-out feature; yet again, hurdles arose when the label head denied the motion and cited “expensive label fees” for the omission of the ‘Slim Shady’ lyricist.

Making matters worse, in the middle of the album’s production, 1 Life 2 Live’s debut was shelved due to complications arising from L.A. Reid stepping down from LaFace to overtake Arista Records. Thereafter, the three-star unit dissolved but remained best friends in supporting one another’s endeavors.

Track-listing is as follows:

1.) Not a Game (Intro)

2.) Blind Love

3.) Never Fall in Love with Hoes (Dirty/Explicit Version)

4.) Can’t Nobody (feat. Timbaland)

5.) Hunt’s Point (Interlude)

6.) Esta Loca (feat. Beatnuts & D-Dot)

7.) Shysty Broads (feat. Erika Kaine, Lady May & Mashonda)

8.) The Buzzer

9.) Throw It Up Y’all

10.) You Don’t Know

11.) Keep Movin’ (feat. Timbaland)

12.) Storm Troopers

13.) Sacrafice (feat. Ja Rule, Black Rob, Nature & Uneek)

14.) Hot Tonight (feat. Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes/N*E*R*D)

15.) Grimey (feat. Lil’ Kim & Lil Shanice)

16.) All About Babe Blue (Interlude)

17.) Show Love

18.) Outro

19.) Flaunt It (feat. Angie Martinez)

20.) Shysty Broads (Demo Version) ft. Lady May, Erika Kaine, Mashonda

21.) Out of My Hands

22.) The Best (feat. Guy)

23.) Something Good (feat. Goodie Mob)

24.) Never Fall in Love with Hoes (Clean/Amended Radio Edit)