The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 14, 2003, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2005. For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Eminem, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others. The album also features a guest appearance by Pharrell Williams.
The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. The recording sessions took place at Audio X in Burbank, D&D Studios in New York, Can Am Studios in Tarzana and Threshold Studios in Santa Monica. The album was produced by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, E-Swift, KutMasta Kurt, and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, B-Real, Everlast, and Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia, and tha Alkaholiks. The album represents a movement of several California underground hip hop artists away from the violence and misogyny of gangsta rap, towards a more traditional, conscious form of rap.
Real Brothas is the debut studio album by American rappers B.G. Knocc Out and Dresta. It was released on August 15, 1995 through Outburst Records and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Kitchen Sync Studio and Skip Saylor Recording in Hollywood, and at Solid Studios in Studio City, California. Production was handled by Rhythm D, Doctor Jam, Madness 4 Real, Charlie B and Vic C, with Anthony "Anti" Lewis and Greedy Greg serving as executive producers. The album debuted at number 128 on the Billboard 200, number 15 on the Top R&B Albums and number five on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
14 Shots to the Dome is the fifth studio album by American hip hop recording artist LL Cool J. It was released on March 30, 1993, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Marley's House of Hits, at Cove City Sound Studios, and at Unique Recording Studios, in New York, and at QDIII Soundlab in Los Angeles, at Bobcat's House in Palmdale, and at Encore Studio, in Burbank. The album was produced by Marley Marl, DJ Bobcat, Quincy Jones III, Andrew Zenable, and Chris Forte. It features guest appearances from Lords of the Underground and Lieutenant Stitchie.
Philadelphia Freeway is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Freeway. It was released on February 25, 2003 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Baseline Studios, Quad Recording Studios and Sound On Sound in New York, Circle House Studios in Miami and Larrabee North in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Just Blaze, Kanye West, Bink!, Black Key and Ruggedness, with co-producer E-Bass and additional producer Gee Roberson. It features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, Young Gunz, Allen Anthony, Faith Evans, Nate Dogg, Nelly, Omillio Sparks, Peedi Peedi, Rell, Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey.
Whitey Ford Sings the Blues is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Everlast, and the first one following his departure from House of Pain. It was released on September 8, 1998, via Tommy Boy Records, a full eight years after his solo debut album Forever Everlasting and after he had a major heart attack. "Whitey Ford" in the album title refers to the New York Yankees pitcher of the same name.
Shorty the Pimp is the seventh studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on July 14, 1992, via Jive Records. The album's title is taken from the 1973 blaxploitation film of the same name, featuring an eponymous character.
Home Field Advantage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group the High & Mighty. It was released on August 24, 1999, via Rawkus Records. The recording sessions took place at the Muthafuckin' Spot on Lexington. The album was produced mostly by member DJ Mighty Mi, but also featured production from Alchemist and Reef. It features guest appearances from Bobbito García, Cage, Defari, Eminem, Evidence, Kool Keith, Mad Skillz, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Thirstin Howl III, What? What? and Wordsworth. The album peaked at number 193 on the Billboard 200, number 45 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. The single "B-Boy Document '99" reached number 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs. The single "Dick Starbuck "Porno Detective"" made it to number 37 on the Hot Rap Songs.
...A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual is the debut studio album by American rapper Witchdoctor. It was released on April 21, 1998, via Organized Noize/Interscope Records. The recording sessions took place at Purple Dragon Recording Studio, PatchWerk Recording Studios, Doppler Recording Studio, DARP Recording Studio and Southern Tracks in Atlanta. The production was handled by Organized Noize, Rob & Emperor Searcy, Junior Kinsey, Mr. DJ, and Witchdoctor himself. It features guest appearances from Goodie Mob, Big Rube, Cool Breeze, Heroine, Mook B., Outkast and Phoenix. The album debuted at number 157 on the Billboard 200, number 37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 7 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. Its single "Holiday" was also included in Bulworth: The Soundtrack. A music video for "Holiday" was co-directed by Stephanie Black and Malik Sayeed.
The RZA Hits is a compilation album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, composed of songs featured on the first Wu-Tang album and its first round of solo albums. All songs were produced by member RZA, apart from "Brooklyn Zoo", which was produced by Ol' Dirty Bastard and True Master.
AmeriKKKa's Nightmare is the third studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released November 22, 1994, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at Hyde Street Studios, Live Oak Studios, Dangerous Music Studios, Cherokee Studios, and Blue Palm Studios. The album was produced by Blackjack, Ant Banks, DJ Battlecat, DJ Slip, and Spice 1, who also served as executive producer with Chaz Hayes. It features guest appearances from 187 Fac, 2Pac, E-40, and Method Man.
Make It Reign is the only studio album by American rap duo Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. It was released on June 2, 1998, through Columbia Records. The recording sessions took place at the Hit Factory, at Unique Recordings, at the Cutting Room in New York City, at Ameraycan Studio and at Skip Saylors in Los Angeles. The production was handled by Dave Atkinson, DJ Clark Kent, Floyd Wilcox, Father Time, KNS, Peter Gunz, Ron Lawrence, Ski and Spyda. It features guest appearances from 1 Accord, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Chauncey Black, Fat Joe, Kurupt, Sticky Fingaz, and Will Tracks. The album peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States, selling 40,000 copies in its first week.
Hempstead High is the second studio album by American rapper A+. It was released in 1999 through Kedar Entertainment/Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording Studios and Battery Studios in New York and at Urban House Studios, Inc. in Houston. Production was handled by Bink!, DJ Clark Kent, Lil' Shawn, Mo-Suave-A, Smith Brothers Entertainment and Ty Fyffe, with Kedar Massenburg serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Canibus, Cardan, Chico DeBarge, Erykah Badu, MJG, Psycho Drama and the Lost Boyz. The album peaked at #60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #19 on the Top Heatseekers in the United States, and at number 72 in the Netherlands.
Chief Boot Knocka is the fourth studio album by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot. It was released on July 19, 1994, via American Recordings. The album was produced by Sir Mix-a-Lot, Eugenius, and Strange.
Keepers of the Funk is the second studio album by American hip hop group Lords of the Underground. It was released on November 1, 1994 via Pendulum Records. Recording sessions took place at House of Hitz in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Production was handled by Marley Marl, K-Def, Lords of the Underground and Andre Booth. It features guest appearances from Sah-B, Deniece Williams, George Clinton, Brian "Bre" Williamson and Supreme C. The album did gain some success, making it to No. 57 on the Billboard 200 and No. 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Ass, Gas or Cash is the only solo studio album by the American rapper K-Dee. It was released on November 15, 1994, via Lench Mob Records. Recording sessions took place at Lench Mob Studios in Los Angeles, California, with producers Ice Cube, Madness 4 Real, Vic C., 88 X Unit, Shaquille, D Mac and Laylaw. It features guest appearances from Bootsy Collins, Morris Day, Ice Cube, Ayana Anderson and Snow. The album peaked at number 33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 20 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Thought I Saw a Pussy Cat", "The Freshest MC in the World" and "Hittin' Corners".
Rollin' wit Dana Dane is the third and final studio album by the American rapper Dana Dane. It was released on March 28, 1995 via Maverick Records. Recording sessions took place at Track Record Studios in North Hollywood, Backroom Studios in Burbank and Milagro Sound Recorders in Glendale, with additional recording at Red Zone Studio in Burbank. Production was handled by DJ Battlecat, 3rd Rail and Smash Money.
Van Full of Pakistans is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Y'all So Stupid. It was released in 1993 via Rowdy Records. The recording sessions took place at DARP Studios, Doppler Studios, and Bosstown Recording Studios, in Atlanta. The album was produced by member Spearhead X, who plays the narrating prank caller on every skit, Da King & I, Sylvan Sargeant, co-producers the Soul Merchants, with Dallas Austin serving as executive producer.
Fear Itself is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Casual. It was released on February 1, 1994, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place between July 1992 and February 1993 at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, California. The album was produced by Casual and fellow Hieroglyphics Crew members Domino, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Jay-Biz. It features guest appearances from Del the Funky Homosapien, Pep Love and Saafir. The album debuted at number 108 on the Billboard 200 and number 22 on the Top R&B Albums chart in the United States.
Organized Bass is the sixth studio album by American rapper and record producer Kilo Ali. It was released on July 29, 1997, via Interscope Records. The recording sessions took place at Synergy Studios and Purple Dragon Studios in Atlanta. The album was produced by Red Money, Cooly C, DJ Taz, Kool-Ace, Mr. Richards, and Kilo Ali, with King J and Organized Noize serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Big Boi, CeeLo Green, George Clinton, JT Money, and Kool-Ace.
