Misdemeanor

Recorded in 1973 for Foster Sylvers’s debut album, with Leon Sylvers III writing the song and Jerry Peters and Keg Johnson producing the sessions. It was issued as the lead single from the Pride/MGM release. The track turned Foster Sylvers into a crossover hit on release, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the Billboard R&B chart. It established him as a solo act beyond The Sylvers and became the signature single from his debut album. "Misdemeanor" remained a durable break-era favorite and was later sampled by artists including The D.O.C. and Run the Jewels. Its bassline and arrangement kept the record in circulation well beyond its original chart run.