Pump For A Livin'

Overview

Pump For A Livin' was released in 1993 as the B-side to Live Squad's promotional single Game Of Survival, issued by Tommy Boy Records to promote the group's planned debut album of the same name. Although only released as a promotional single, it remains one of the few official recordings from the original album sessions to receive a commercial-quality release.

Compared with the darker themes explored on songs such as Murderahh!, Heartless and Game Of Survival, Pump For A Livin' presents a more traditional street narrative, reflecting the hustle required to survive in inner-city New York. The production combines hard drums with soulful samples, showcasing the distinctive sound that Stretch and Majesty developed during their Tommy Boy years.

Although the planned Game Of Survival album was ultimately cancelled, the song remains one of the few surviving examples of the project's original track listing and offers an important glimpse into the direction Live Squad were taking before being dropped by Tommy Boy Records.

Recording History

The song was recorded during the sessions for Live Squad's planned debut album while the group were signed to Tommy Boy Records. In 1993 it was chosen as the B-side to the promotional Game Of Survival single, making it one of only two songs officially released from the original album campaign.

Shortly afterwards, Tommy Boy abandoned the album following growing industry concerns surrounding violent hardcore rap. As a result, most of the material recorded for Game Of Survival remained unreleased until Grand Imperial Records reconstructed the project several years later.

Unlike many later Live Squad recordings, Pump For A Livin' survives in its original Tommy Boy form, making it one of the most authentic examples of the group's early production style.

Release History

Samples

Samples Used

Sample information is currently being researched.

Lyrics