| We Come Strapped | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | MC Eiht featuring CMW |
| Cover: | We Come Strapped.jpg |
| Released: | July 19, 1994 |
| Recorded: | 1993–1994 |
| Studio: | X-Factor (Long Beach, Calif.) |
| Label: | Epic Street |
| Next Title: | Death Threatz |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Chronology: | MC Eiht |
We Come Strapped is the debut studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on July 19, 1994, through Epic Street. The recording sessions took place at X-Factor Studios in Long Beach, California. The album was produced by Compton's Most Wanted members MC Eiht and DJ Slip, except for one song, "Compton Bomb", produced by Ric Roc. It features contributions from William "Willie Z" Zimmerman on the keyboards, Josh Achziger on guitar, Carla Evans on vocals, and guest appearances from rappers Redman and Spice 1. In addition to a Parental Advisory sticker, Epic also included text on the album cover that noted that Eiht's lyrics reflected his personal views.[1]
The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on September 29, 1994. It has been MC Eiht's most successful album to date.
It spawned two singles and music videos for the songs "All for the Money" and "Geez Make the Hood Go Round".
Despite the CMW title on the album cover, We Come Strapped is considered to be MC Eiht's debut solo album. In addition to MC Eiht, from CMW, the album features DJ Slip on keyboards and production, as well as DJ Mike T's scratches in one song only. However, MC Eiht mentions the fellow group members by name-dropping Boom Bam, Tha Chill, Lil Hawk & Bird, and Niggaz on tha Run throughout the album. The rapper insults DJ Quik on the track "Def Wish III" due to their then-ongoing feud.
The Indianapolis Star wrote: "While chilling in its acceptance of violence, the disc is about attitude. We're drawn into the violence by lightly funked bass, mellow synthesizers and piano and soul-sparked horns. The insanity is in slow motion, slowly feeling natural. No other recent gangsta rap has had that power."