El Niño (Def Squad album)

El Niño is the only studio album by American hip hop group Def Squad, composed of rappers Redman, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray. It was released on June 30, 1998, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Dix Hills, New York. The production was handled by Erick Sermon and Redman. It features guest appearances from Biz Markie, Mally G, Too $hort and the Drama Squad.

The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and number-one spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 29, 1998. Its lead single, "Full Cooperation", peaked at No. 51 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, at No. 11 on the Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales, at No. 63 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The song "Countdown" was released as promotional single. The song "Ride Wit Us" later appeared on Keith Murray's third album It's a Beautiful Thing.

Critical reception
The Village Voice praised Sermon's production, but noted that it's not enough "to mask the taste of violent skits, scandalous bitches, unrepentant baby fathers, automatic weapons, and other unhealthy canned stuff."

Personnel

 * Erick Sermon – vocals, producer (tracks: 2–5, 7–8, 10, 12–14, 16), executive producer
 * Reginald Noble – vocals, producer (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 11, 15), executive producer
 * Keith Murray – vocals, executive producer
 * Jamal C. Phillips – vocals (track 3)
 * Todd Anthony Shaw – vocals (track 5)
 * Marcel Theo Hall – vocals (track 7)
 * Nasty Nadj – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * TE TE – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * Dave Rockin' Reel – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * Moe Green – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * Miguel – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * Nikki D. – vocals (tracks: 1, 6, 9, 15)
 * Kevin Liles – A&R, co-executive producer
 * Bernard Alexander – co-executive producer
 * Tony Dawsey – mastering
 * Chris Tricarico – coordinator
 * Wayne Van Acker – artwork
 * Jonathan Mannion – photography
 * The Drawing Board – art direction, design