Game Of Survival

Overview

Game Of Survival was released by Tommy Boy Records in 1993 as a promotional single supporting Live Squad's planned debut album of the same name. Featuring Game Of Survival and Pump For A Livin', the release showcased the group's darker, more cinematic style that had developed following the success of Murderahh! and Heartless.

The single was issued alongside the promotional Game Of Survival VHS short film, which combined music videos and dramatic scenes to present the concept behind the forthcoming album. At the time, few hip hop artists were producing promotional films of this scale, making the project particularly ambitious for an emerging group.

Although Tommy Boy actively promoted the single, the label ultimately decided not to release the full album. Following controversy surrounding violent themes in hip hop during the early 1990s, Live Squad were dropped from the label and Game Of Survival remained unreleased until Grand Imperial Records later issued a reconstructed version in 2001.

Track Listing

Release History

The release formed part of Tommy Boy Records' campaign to introduce Live Squad's debut album to radio and record stores. The accompanying VHS promotional film featured several songs intended for the album, including Game Of Survival, Heartless, Murderahh!, Pump For A Livin' and additional unreleased material.

Despite the promotional campaign, Tommy Boy cancelled the album before its commercial release. The decision is widely believed to have been influenced by the increasingly hostile attitude towards violent gangsta rap during 1992 and 1993, leaving much of Live Squad's catalogue unreleased for almost a decade.

Notes

• Official promotional release issued by Tommy Boy Records.
• Released to promote the cancelled Game Of Survival album.
• Issued alongside the Game Of Survival promotional VHS film.
• The album was eventually reconstructed and released by Grand Imperial Records in 2001.