True Story

Released on July 27, 2004, the album True Story marked the second and final studio project for the New York hip-hop collective Terror Squad. The group distributed this record through a partnership between Fat Joe's Terror Squad Entertainment, SRC Records, and Universal Records. Ten tracks fill the runtime, blending hard-hitting beats with street narratives that defined the East Coast sound of the mid-2000s. Core members like Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Armageddon, Prospect, and Tony Sunshine brought their voices to the sessions.

The lead single "Lean Back" drove the project's massive commercial success, climbing to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This hit propelled the album to high positions on the Billboard 200 and cemented the group's status as a dominant force in hip-hop during that era. Production duties fell to Scram Jones, Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled, and Scott Storch, creating a cohesive sonic landscape for the collection.

A standout moment occurs on the track "Bring 'Em Back," which serves as a tribute to late rappers Big L and Big Pun. Both artists were original members of the group, and Big Pun shares verses here alongside his peers despite passing away in 2000. The visual component also carried weight, with Jessy Terrero and Raul Conde directing the music video for "Take Me Home" at a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. [edit]