Picture This

“Picture This” is the debut studio album by Chicago rap trio Do or Die, released on September 3, 1996, through Rap-A-Lot Records.

The story

Do or Die, made up of N.A.R.D., Belo Zero and AK-47, came out of the East Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Their single “Po Pimp,” featuring Twista and Johnny P, first appeared on the local label Creator’s Way and became a Chicago hit, which led Houston’s Rap-A-Lot Records to sign the group. Rap-A-Lot reissued the song in July 1996 ahead of the album, with J. Prince as executive producer. “Playa Like Me and You” followed as another single.

Sound and production

The album was recorded at Creator’s Way Studios in Chicago and Lil J Studio in Houston. Production came from The Legendary Traxster, Mike Dean and Crazy C, pairing Creator’s Way’s Chicago base with Rap-A-Lot’s Houston studios.

Legacy

“Po Pimp” peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The album climbed to No. 27 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and the RIAA certified it gold. The record gave both Do or Die and Twista national exposure and set up the group’s 1998 follow-up, “Headz or Tailz.”