Esham Attica Smith, known mononymously as Esham, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Emerging as one of the first ever hip hop artists from Detroit, Esham released his debut studio album, Boomin' Words from Hell, in 1989 at the age of 16. Since then, he has gone on to release 15 studio albums in total and is best known as a representative of the hip hop subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. In 1992, he co-founded the horrorcore group Natas. He and his brother James Smith founded and ran the Detroit hip hop label Reel Life Productions.
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut studio album by American rapper Tony Yayo. It was released on August 30, 2005 through G-Unit/Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Sound One, at Integrated Studios, Sony Music Studios, G Unit Studios, Sound On Sound and Right Track Recording in New York, at 54 Sound in Detroit, at Encore Studios in Los Angeles and at Joi Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Focus..., Eminem, Black Jeruz, DJ Khalil, Domingo, Havoc, J. R. Rotem, LT Moe, Megahertz, Punch, Ron Browz, Sam Sneed, Sebb, Studio 44, and Sha Money XL, who also served as co-executive producer. It features guest appearances from fellow G-Unit members 50 Cent, who also served as executive producer, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Olivia and Spider Loc, as well as Eminem, Obie Trice, Jagged Edge, Joe and Kokane.
Quality is the debut studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.
Dirty History is the third solo studio album by American rapper Anybody Killa. It was released on July 27, 2004 via Psychopathic Records. Production was handled by Fritz the Cat, Lavel, Mike Puwal, Esham and The R.O.C., with co-production by Violent J and ABK himself. It features guest appearances from Insane Clown Posse, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Twiztid and Lavel.
Funk Upon a Rhyme is the sophomore studio album by American recording artist Kokane. It was released in 1994 through Ruthless Records with distribution by Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at the Edge Studio and Echo Sound in Los Angeles, California. Production was handled by Cold 187um with executive production by Eazy-E. The album features contributions from Janine, Nicki and Tha New Funkateers on background vocals, Cold 187 um on keyboards and vocals, Mike Smooth on guitar and keyboards, Mike "Crazy Neck" Sims on guitar, with guest appearances from Dirty Red, Tha Alkaholiks, Black Hole Of Watts, and Above The Law.
Ghetty Green is the debut studio album by American rapper Project Pat. It was released on September 14, 1999, through Hypnotize Minds/Loud Records with distribution via RED Distribution. Recording session took place at Hypnotize Minds Studio and Cotton Row Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Production was primarily handled by DJ Paul and Juicy J, who also served as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Three 6 Mafia, Cash Money Millionaires, Crucial Conflict, Krayzie Bone and Noreaga. The album peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200 and at number 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
Don't Mess wit Texas is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Keke from Houston, Texas. It was released on June 17, 1997 via Jam Down Records. It was reissued in 2004 by another Houston-based record label Rap Classics. There is also a chopped and screwed version available with a different cover.
The Dayton Family is an American hip hop group from Flint, Michigan, composed of Ira "Bootleg" Dorsey, Raheen "Shoestring" Peterson and Matt "Backstabba" Hinkle. Its name derives from Dayton Street, one of Flint's most crime-ridden streets.
What's On My Mind? is the debut studio album by American rap group the Dayton Family from Flint, Michigan. It was released in 1994 through Po' Broke/Relativity Records. Production was handled by the Dayton Family and Steve Pitts.
Welcome to the Dopehouse is the third studio album by American rap group the Dayton Family from Flint, Michigan. It was released on May 21, 2002, via Koch Records. The album peaked at number 107 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and at number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
Tongues is the eighth studio album by American rapper Esham. It was released in 2001 via Gothom, marking the return of Esham's old horror/devil sound. It features guest appearances from Natas, The Dayton Family, Kool Keith, Violent J of Insane Clown Posse, Brittany Hurd, Heather Hunter, Jill O'Neil, Mujahid and Santos. The album peaked at #195 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States.
'N Gatz We Truss is the second studio album by American rap group South Central Cartel. It was released on May 10, 1994 via South G.W.K. Records and Rush Associated Labels. Recording sessions took place at Kitchen Sync Studio in Hollywood, California with producers Prodeje and Havikk the Rhime Son, co-producers DJ Gripp, L.V. and DJ Kaos, and executive producer Cary "Havoc" Calvin. The album features guest performances by 2Pac, 3-2, Big Mike, Ice-T, MC Eiht and Spice 1, and also introduced a new member to the group, Patrick "Young Prodeje" Pitts.
I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier is second solo studio album by American rapper Willie D. It was released on September 15, 1992 through Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Priority Records. Recording session took place at Track Design Studios and at Ultimate Sound Studios in Houston. Production was handled by Crazy C, Goldfingers, John Bido, Roland and Willie D.
Paid the Cost is the only studio album by American rap duo Penthouse Players Clique. It was released on April 28, 1992 via Ruthless and Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Skip Saylor Recording Studio A in Los Angeles with additional recording at Audio Achievements in Torrance, California. Production was mostly handled by DJ Quik, except for two tracks were produced by Penthouse Players Clique and DJ Battlecat. The album was a success for the group, making it to #76 on the Billboard 200, #28 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #1 on the Heatseekers Albums charts. Three singles were released, "Explanation of a Playa", "Trust No Bitch" and "P.S. Phuk U 2", however only "Explanation of a Playa" would make it to the billboard charts. This would mark the duos only album as they would disband only a year later.
Get Off the Stage is the seventeenth studio album by the American rapper Too $hort. It was released on December 4, 2007, through Jive Records, making it his fourteenth and final album on the label. Recording sessions took place at Blue Basement Recordings and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and at Young L Productions Studio. Production was handled by Traxamillion, Cooly C, DJ Kizzy Rock, Spec, Anthony Taylor, Gennessee and Young L, with Too $hort serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Dolla Will, E-40, Ginger, Kool-Ace, Mistah F.A.B., Ms. Hollywood, and The Pack. The album peaked at number 160 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Reel Life Productions, also known as Gothom Records, is an independent record label based in Detroit, Michigan most associated with the hip hop subgenre horrorcore. The label was founded in 1988 by James H. Smith and his younger brother, rapper Esham. Since its formation, RLP had released much of Esham's discography, and had been home to a number of other artists, including Natas, Dice, Mastamind, T-N-T, Kool Keith and The Dayton Family.
Top Authority is an American hip hop trio from Flint, Michigan, composed of rappers Dia "Shotgun" Peacock, Diallo "Flex" Peacock and producer David "DaLo" Hornaday. They were one of the first rap groups from Flint and among the earliest of the underground Midwest hip hop scene to release a nationally recognized album. Bootleg, a member of the slightly later Flint group The Dayton Family, told Murder Dog magazine, "We grew up together, same hood. We'd be together every day. That's family". He lists them as leading lights in Flint music, along with acts like Ready for the World and MC Breed. Rapper Chilla Pertilla defined Northern hip hop to Murderdog as "Eminem, Twista, Bone, Breed, Dayton Family, Top Authority, Esham, and ICP".
3 'N the Mornin' is a 1996 album by southern hip hop artist DJ Screw. It contains a collection of songs by Dirty South artists remixed using Screw's trademark chopped and screwed style.
"Tha Block Is Hot" is a song by American recording artist Lil Wayne featuring fellow rappers B.G. and Juvenile. It was released on October 23, 1999 via Cash Money Records as the lead single from his debut solo studio album Tha Block Is Hot. Recording sessions took place at Cash Money Studios in Metairie, Louisiana. Production was handled by Mannie Fresh with executive producers Ronald "Slim" Williams and Birdman.
Notorious is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer Donald D. It was released in 1989 via Ice-T's Rhyme $yndicate Records label with distribution through Epic Records and CBS Records Inc. Recording sessions took place at Syndicate Studio West and Wide Tracks Recording Studio in Los Angeles, California. Record production on the album was handled by Afrika Islam and Donald D, with executive production provided by Ice-T. Reaching a peak position of number 78 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, the album remained on the chart for a total of 18 weeks. It spawned two singles: "F.B.I.", which peaked at number 8 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "Notorious".
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