Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front is the third studio album by American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes. It was released on December 15, 1998 by Flipmode and Elektra Records in North America. The album follows the apocalyptic theme explored by Rhymes' first two albums, The Coming (1996) and When Disaster Strikes (1997). Musically, the album comprises East Coast, West Coast, horrorcore, and hardcore hip hop music.
Country Grammar is the debut studio album by American rapper and singer Nelly. It was released on June 27, 2000, by Universal Records. The production on the album was handled by Jason "Jay E" Epperson, with additional production by C-Love, Kevin Law, City Spud, Steve "Blast" Wills and Basement Beats. Nelly contributed to all lyrics on the album, with Epperson and City Spud also contributing. With the album's release, Nelly and his “St. Lunatics” crew cemented the St. Louis sound firmly amongst other southern hip hop artists in the year 2000, such as Juvenile, Trina, Ludacris, OutKast, Three 6 Mafia and UGK. Country Grammar also introduced the world to Nelly's unique musical style of pop-rap and radio “singalongs” with a Missouri twang. It was supported by four successful singles: "Country Grammar ", "E.I.", "Ride wit Me" and "Batter Up". Its lead single, "Country Grammar ", peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Its second single "E.I." peaked at number 16 on the Hot 100, number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart. "Ride wit Me" peaked within the top five on the Hot 100, ARIA Singles Chart, Irish Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart. The album's fourth and final single, "Batter Up" featuring St. Lunatics members Murphy Lee and Ali, achieved moderate chart success.
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre in 1996. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Interscope Records.
Tha Carter is the fourth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on June 29, 2004, by Cash Money Records and Universal Records. The production on the album was mostly handled by Cash Money's former in-house producer Mannie Fresh, before Mannie left the label. A chopped and screwed version of the album was also released by Cash Money Records in 2004. The album spawned four sequels: Tha Carter II, Tha Carter III, Tha Carter IV, and Tha Carter V.
Confessions of Fire is the debut studio album by American rapper Cam'ron. It was released through Epic Records on July 21, 1998. Originally titled "Who Is Cam'ron?" The production on the album was mostly handled by Darrell "Digga" Branch, along with Swizz Beatz, Trackmasters, Jermaine Dupri, and among others. The album also features guest appearances by Mase, Usher, Kelly Price, Noreaga, and more.
Suit is the fourth studio album by American rapper Nelly. It was intended to be released on August 17, 2004, before being delayed and released on September 13, 2004, by Universal Records. Production for the album was handled by several producers, including the Neptunes, Jazze Pha, Doe, AHM, Jayson "Koko" Bridges, Kuya Productions, Soulshock and Karlin, Ryan Bowser, Big Boi and Beat Bullies. Released in conjunction with Sweat, Nelly intended to release a single album before conceptualizing and releasing two albums simultaneously, both of which would contrast each other's themes. Nelly characterized Sweat as "more up-tempo" and "energetic" while describing Suit as more of "a grown-up and sexy vibe [...] it's more melodic".
American singer Usher has released nine studio albums, ten compilation albums, eight extended plays, and 81 singles. His music has been released on the LaFace, Arista, Jive and RCA record labels. Usher has sold more than 33 million albums in the United States alone and over 65 million albums worldwide. With over 150 million total records sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling music artists of all time. He has nine Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 18 Hot 100 top-ten singles. In 1994, Usher released his self-titled debut album in North America, producing three singles that had moderate chart success, and the album sold more than 500,000 copies. His follow-up 1997 album My Way sold over 8 million copies worldwide, becoming his breakthrough album. It is certified seven-times platinum in the US, and spawned three successful singles, including his first UK number-one "You Make Me Wanna..." and first US Hot 100 number-one song "Nice & Slow". Usher's success continued in 2001 with his third studio album 8701. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The album produced two number-one singles—"U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad". In 2002, the album was certified five-times platinum in the US for sales of 5 million copies. As of 2010, its worldwide sales stand at over 8 million.
The Price of Fame is the fifth studio album by American rapper Bow Wow. The album was released on December 19, 2006 through LBW Entertainment and Columbia Records. The production on the album was primarily handled by Jermaine Dupri, Nitti, Lil Ronnie and R. Kelly. The album also features guest appearances by Chris Brown, Johntá Austin, Pimp C, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and many others.
I Wanna Go There is the third studio album by American singer Tyrese. It was released on December 17, 2002 through J Records. This became his first album to be released on J Records after recording two albums for his previous label RCA Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including The Underdogs, Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnny "J", Poke & Tone and Jermaine Dupri. The album also features a guest appearance by Dupri and Mos Def.
Made Man is the third studio album by American rapper Silkk The Shocker, released on January 19, 1999, on Priority Records and Master P's No Limit Records. Production for the album was handled by No Limit producers Beats By the Pound and The Whole 9. The album features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Mýa, Jay-Z, and Master P, the latter whom executive produced the album.
Rated Next is the debut studio album by American musical group Next. After forming, the trio recorded several songs with record producers Prof. T. and Lance Alexander before catching recording artist and producer Keir "KayGee" Gist of American hip hop trio Naughty by Nature's attention. He signed Next to his record label Divine Mill, with most of Next's debut album being recorded in Gee's in-home recording studio and the remaining was recorded at Ken Johnston's Perfect Pair studio located in East Orange, New Jersey. Rated Next was eventually released on September 30, 1997 in the United States, under Divine Mill and Arista Records.
Face Off is a collaborative album by American rapper Bow Wow and American singer Omarion. The album was released on December 11, 2007 through Columbia Records. The production on the album was handled by Jermaine Dupri, Jim Jonsin, Stereotypes, T-Pain, No I.D. and Lil Ronnie among others.
Ghetto Fabulous is the third studio album by American rapper Mystikal. It was released on December 15, 1998, by No Limit Records. It was produced by Beats by the Pound. Like his previous album, this also proved to be a success peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums selling 386,000 copies in its first week. A single, "That's the Nigga", reached #25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. This was Mystikal's final album with No Limit Records. The album was also certified platinum by the RIAA on January 27, 1999. On January 29, 2000, Ghetto Fabulous had sold 2,901,131 records in the U.S.
Jason Lee Epperson is an American record producer and DJ from St. Louis, Missouri. He first became known as the primary producer of hometown native Nelly's 2000 debut album Country Grammar, which received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Thereafter, he produced extensively for Nelly and his collaborators, and signed with his record label, Derrty Entertainment as in-house talent. He has since produced songs for other artists including Murphy Lee, St. Lunatics, Justin Timberlake, E-40, Cedric the Entertainer, Lil Wayne, Ron Isley, Three 6 Mafia, and Hilary Duff. Epperson's style is characterized by hip hop mixed with soul, R&B, and pop music. Billboard magazine, in its December 2000 issue, listed Epperson at number 16 on its "Top 100 Producers" list, as well as number 19 on its "Top 100 R&B/Hip Hop Producers of 2000" list. He has received a Grammy Award nomination.
Tru 2 da Game is the fourth studio album released by New Orleans hip-hop group, TRU. It was released February 18, 1997 on No Limit Records and was produced by Beats By the Pound. The album found a large amount of success, peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums selling 200,000 copies in its first week. A single from the album entitled "I Always Feel Like" also found some success, peaking at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100, #11 on the Hot Rap Singles and #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The same year the album was re-released with the song "Smoking Green" removed. The re-released version included three new songs, a club mix version of "No Limit Soldiers", a C-Murder solo song "Eyes Of A Killa" and a Silkk The Shocker solo song "Pimp Shit." "FEDz" samples Aaliyah's hit single "If Your Girl Only Knew". The album was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, on October 2, 1997, and remains the group's most successful album.
Da Crime Family is the fifth studio album by New Orleans hip-hop group, TRU, released June 1, 1999, via Priority Records and Master P's No Limit Records. It was produced by Beats By the Pound, Ke'Noe, Meech Wells and Battlecat. Da Crime Family debuted at #5 and peaked on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling over 139,000 copies in its first week. The album was held from the #1 position on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums by Ja Rule's Venni Vetti Vecci. Da Crime Family contains the lead single "Hoody Hooo" which made it to #11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The other single "Tru Homies" peaked at #6 on the Hot Rap Singles and #61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The album was certified Gold by RIAA.
There's One in Every Family is the second studio album by the American rapper Fiend, released in 1998 on No Limit Records. It was produced by Master P and Beats By the Pound. Like most of the albums released by No Limit in the late 1990s, the album was a success, peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It featured all of the label's top acts, including Master P, Snoop Dogg, Silkk the Shocker, Mystikal, Mia X, and C-Murder.
Charge It 2 da Game is the second studio album by American rapper Silkk the Shocker, released February 17, 1998, as planned, on No Limit Records in the United States. The album was later certified Platinum by the RIAA on March 25, 1998
So Far Gone is the debut extended play by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 15, 2009 by Cash Money Records, Universal Motown Records and Young Money Entertainment. This is his reissued project from his third mixtape that was released earlier on February 13, 2009. This EP features five tracks from the mixtape, with the inclusions of two new songs. The EP features guest appearances from Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Bun B and Young Jeezy. The EP was supported by three singles: "Best I Ever Had", "Successful" featuring Trey Songz and Lil Wayne, and "I'm Goin' In" featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. In April 2010, the EP won the Rap Recording of the Year at the 2010 Juno Awards.
Port of Miami is the debut studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. Originally titled Career Criminal, the album was renamed, in reference to Miami being a major arrival destination for cocaine shipments to America. The album was released August 8, 2006, on Poe Boy Entertainment, Slip-n-Slide Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album was engineered by Miami-based songwriting and production team The Monsters & The Strangerz. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 187,000 copies sold in its first week.
