Gangsta rap or gangster rap, initially called reality rap, is a subgenre of rap music that conveys the culture and values typical of urban gangs, reality of the world and street hustlers. Emerging in the late 1980s, gangsta rap's pioneers include Schoolly D of Philadelphia and Ice-T of Los Angeles, later expanding in California with artists such as N.W.A and Tupac Shakur. In 1992, via record producer and rapper Dr. Dre, rapper Snoop Dogg, and their G-funk sound, gangster rap broadened to mainstream popularity.
The Grind Date is the seventh studio album by American hip hop group De La Soul, released on October 5, 2004. The album was originally intended to be the final album of the Art Official Intelligence (AOI) trilogy, but as the album quickly changed focus, the group decided to put AOI III on hold and finish The Grind Date as a stand-alone work.
Trap House is the debut studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on May 24, 2005, by Big Cat Records and Tommy Boy Records. Production was handled by Shawty Redd, Zaytoven, Nitti and The Heatmakerz. The album features guest appearances from Young Jeezy, Boo Rossini, Jody Breeze, Khujo, Killer Mike, Lil Scrappy, 4tre, Mac Bre-Z, Torica and Young Snead.
Aaron Ocosice Phillip, better known by his stage name Afu-Ra, is an American underground rapper. A member of the Gang Starr Foundation, he has worked closely with its members, including Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug and Group Home.
Joe Budden is the debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, later the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
Dominick Antron Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Kxng Crooked, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is best known as a former member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". He is CEO of his own record labels, Dynasty Entertainment and C.O.B. Digital as well as Senior Vice President of Treacherous Records. Before starting his own label, he was also signed to Virgin Records and Death Row Records. He is currently one half of the rap duo Crook and Joell with his former Slaughterhouse bandmate, Joell Ortiz. Together, they released three studio albums.
I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II is the third studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released on July 8, 2008, by Grind Time Official and SMC Recordings. The album features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Chamillionaire and Ice Cube, among others. His collaborations with UGK, Trae and Yo Gotti were also announced, but did not appear on the final track list of the album. Starting January 13, 2010, Killer Mike has authorized this album to be downloaded for free by fans as an effort to promote his forthcoming album.
Underground Atlanta is a hip hop compilation album performed by various artists. The double disc album was released on August 31, 2009, by American rapper Killer Mike’s Grind Time Official and SMC Recordings. The compilation was supported by the release of one single, "I'mma Fool wit It", by Killer Mike featuring Big Kuntry King.
Outkast was an American hip hop duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992, consisting of rappers Big Boi and André 3000. The duo achieved both critical and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop with their intricate lyricism, memorable melodies, and positive themes, while experimenting with a diverse range of genres such as funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno. Outkast are widely regarded as among the most influential hip hop artists of all time.
Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift is the eleventh studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 30, 2010, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment and EMI. His twelfth album, Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift, was released on the same day.
Heroin is the fourteenth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on June 21, 2010, via Rap-A-Lot 4 Life/J. Prince Entertainment/Fontana Distribution. Recording sessions took place at M.A.D. Studios and at King Of The Ghetto Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Bigg Tyme, Big E, Steve Below and Z-Ro himself. It features guest appearances from Chris Ward, Billy Cook, Chamillionaire, Lil' Flip, Mike D, Mýa and Paul Wall. The album peaked at number 142 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Pledge is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Killer Mike. It was released on May 17, 2011, through SMC Recordings, Grind Time Official, Tree Leaf Records and Grand Hustle Records. The album's production was handled by Tha Bizness, No I.D., Flying Lotus, The Beat Bullies, DJ Speedy, Raz of the Beat Billionaires and Grind Time label-mates Smiff & Cash. The album, which is his third in the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series, was supported by the lead single "Ready Set Go", featuring Grand Hustle label-boss and fellow American rapper T.I.
No Trespassing is the nineteenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on February 28, 2012, under Dangerous Music, owned by Too Short. The album's production was handled by Vincent VT Tolan, Exclusive, DJ Klypso, and various others with guest features from 50 Cent, E-40, Kokane and Snoop Dogg.
R.A.P. Music is the fifth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike. It was released through Williams Street Records on May 15, 2012. The "R.A.P." in the album's title is a backronym for "Rebellious African People". Production was handled by rapper and producer Jaime "El-P" Meline; the album was the first collaboration between Killer Mike and El-P, who would later form the critically acclaimed duo Run the Jewels.
Bryan Charles "SL" Jones, formerly known as Cuz Lightyear, is an American rapper and songwriter.
EarthGang is an American hip hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Olu and WowGr8. They are co-founders of the musical collective Spillage Village, with JID, Hollywood JB, JordxnBryant, 6lack, Mereba, and Benji.
Michael Santiago Render, better known by his stage name Killer Mike, is an American rapper and activist. He made his recording debut on Outkast's fourth album Stankonia (2000), and later appeared on their Grammy Award-winning single "The Whole World" from their greatest hits album Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast (2001). He signed with Big Boi's Purple Ribbon Records and Columbia Records to release his debut studio album Monster (2003), which received critical acclaim and peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200. He followed up with the independent albums I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind (2006) and I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II (2008); he then signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle to release his fourth album Pledge (2011), and later Williams Street Records to release his fifth album, R.A.P. Music (2012). His sixth album, Michael (2023) was met with continued acclaim and won three awards at 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album.
HipHopDX is an online magazine of hip hop music criticism and news. The website's current president and publisher is Sharath Cherian and the Head of Content is Jerry L. Barrow. HipHopDX is the flagship publication of Cheri Media Group.
Boomiverse is the third studio album by American rapper Big Boi. The album was released on June 16, 2017, by HITCO.. The album features guest appearances from Adam Levine, Jeezy, Killer Mike, Gucci Mane, and Curren$y. It contains production from frequent collaborators Organized Noise, DJ Dahi, Dr. Luke, Scott Storch, among others. It was supported by the release of three singles – "Mic Jack" featuring Adam Levine, Scar and Sleepy Brown, "Kill Jill" featuring Killer Mike and Jeezy, and "All Night". The latter is Big Boi's highest charting single as a solo artist.
Back for Everything is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kodak Black. It was released through Atlantic Records on February 25, 2022. The album features a sole guest appearance from Lil Durk, who appears on the fifteenth track, "Take You Back". The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Buddah Bless, London on da Track, Murda Beatz, Scott Storch, Zaytoven, Boi-1da, Vinylz, and Lee Major among others.
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