Men in Black [Original Soundtrack] (CD - 1997)

"Men In Black" won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Men In Black - Main Theme" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written For A Motion Picture Or For Television.

Personnel: Trey Lorenz, Beyoncé (vocals, background vocals); Troy Wimble, Taryll Jackson, Ellis Taylor, Mariah Carey, Black Thought (vocals); Mookie (guitar, keyboards, drum programming); Kevin Eubanks (slide guitar); Branford Marsalis (alto saxophone, drum programming); Chuck Findley, Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Matt Finders (trombone); James Poyser, Kenny Kirkland (piano, keyboards); ?uestlove (keyboards, drums); Corey Rooney (keyboards, drum programming); D'Angelo (keyboards, background vocals); Kamal (keyboards); Hub (bass synthesizer); Robert Hurst (acoustic bass); Darryl Jones (electric bass); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums); Vicki Randle (percussion); Poke, Tone (drum programming); LeToya Luckett, Coko, Emoja, LaTavia Roberson, 3T, Honey B. Fly, Kelly Rowland, Tichina Arnold (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Joe Smith ; Craig Burbidge; Commissioner Gordon; Erykah Badu; Kenyatta Kelo Williams; Mookie; Jay Lincoln; Jermaine Dupri; Ken Ifill; Phil Tan; Richard Travali; Rob "Wacko" Hunter; Shawn Murphy; Axel Niehaus; Tony Maserati; Tony Smalios; Bobby Fernandez .

Recording information: Battery Studios, NY; Crave Studios, NY; Doppler Studio, Atlanta, GA; Hit Factory Studios, New York, NY; Horizon Studios, Washington DC; House of Music; Krosswire Studio; Larrabe Studios, West Hollywood, CA; NXT Studios, L.A., CA; Ocean Way Recording, Inc., Hollywood, CA; Pacifique Studios, L.A., CA; Pajama Studios, Oakland, CA; Process Recording Studios, Inc., Greensboro, NC; Que Recordings, MD; Signet Sound Studio, L.A., CA; sony Music Studios; Up.

Editor: Ellen Segal.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Tommie Hicks, Jr.; Tony Smalios.

Arrangers: Ginuwine; Mookie; Benjamin Wright.

Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, MEN IN BLACK is a tongue-in-cheek science fiction epic that picks up where INDEPENDENCE DAY left off. Once again, Will Smith saves the planet from alien invaders, this time partnering up with the stoic-faced Jones. The former Fresh Prince makes use of his rap background on the film's soundtrack, contributing two cuts, including the title track.

Everyone from A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul to Branford Marsalis' pop-funk project Buckshot Le Fonque appears here, but predictably, the star of the show is Snoop Doggy Dogg. His "We Just Wanna Party With You" incorporates the guest vocals of JD, a sample from Kool & The Gang's "Get Down On It" and Snoop's own inimitable rapping abilites to fine effect. Other avenues are explored by R&B-oriented acts like Trey Lorenz and Alicia Keys, and soundtrack music king Danny Elfman, who contributes the main and closing themes. minimize