Luther Roderick Campbell, also known as Luke Skyywalker, Uncle Luke and simply Luke, is an American rapper, promoter, record executive, actor, and former leader of the rap group 2 Live Crew. He is known for having helped create the Miami bass genre, for establishing one of the first rap groups and rap labels in Southern hip hop, and his sexually crude call and response lyrics which were unique for the time period. He also starred in a short-lived show on VH1, Luke's Parental Advisory.
Bell Biv DeVoe, also known as BBD, is an American music group from Boston, Massachusetts, formed from members of New Edition, consisting of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe.
Joseph Lewis Thomas, known mononymously as Joe, is an American R&B singer. He signed to Polygram Records in 1992, and rose to prominence after releasing his debut album Everything the following year. He followed it with a series of successful albums under Jive Records, including All That I Am (1997), the international bestseller My Name Is Joe (2000) as well as the multi-certified albums Better Days (2001) and And Then... (2003). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including the number-one hit "Stutter", the top ten entries "All the Things ", "Don't Wanna Be a Player", and "I Wanna Know" as well as his collaborations "Faded Pictures", "Thank God I Found You" and "Still Not a Player".
"One More Chance / Stay with Me (Remix)" is a song written and recorded by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Three versions of the song exist: An original, lyrically explicit version prefaced by an answering machine performance featured on the album, and two versions released as singles, both of which contain identical lyrics by B.I.G. despite differing instrumentals and choruses. The first is an upbeat "Hip Hop Mix" that samples Marley Marl's "Droppin Science", and the second is a sultrier R&B remix parenthetically labeled the "Stay with Me Remix", which samples the namesake 1983 song by the band DeBarge. The lattermost remains the most popular, and features backing vocals and harmonies performed by his wife Faith Evans, as well as uncredited appearances by Mary J. Blige and Bad Boy Records label boss Puff Daddy—who also produced the version with Rashad Smith. It received platinum certification by the RIAA by July 31, 1995, and has sold 1.1 million copies.
Bow Down is the debut studio album by American West Coast hip hop supergroup Westside Connection. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Lench Mob Records and Priority Records. The recording sessions took place at Ice Cube's house studio, Westsiiiiide Studios, in California, except for the song "Gangstas Make the World Go Round", which was recorded at Treehouse Studios in South Africa. The production was handled by Bud'da, Quincy Jones III, Binky Mack, and Ice Cube, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Allfrumtha I and the Comrads.
Future Rhythm is the fourth studio album by the American hip hop group Digital Underground. It was released on June 4, 1996, via Critique/Radikal Records. The album was produced by the D-Flow Production Squad. It features guest appearances from Luniz, Del the Funky Homosapien and the Black Spooks. The album reached number 113 on the Billboard 200 and number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
I Got the Hook-Up is the soundtrack to Michael Martin's 1998 crime comedy film I Got the Hook-Up. It was released on April 7, 1998, through No Limit/Priority Records.
The Element of Surprise is the fourth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on August 25, 1998, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Bosko, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton & Tone Capone. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 13 on the Billboard 200. The album features guest performances by fellow members of The Click: B-Legit, D-Shot and Suga-T, as well as Jayo Felony, C-Bo, Mack 10, WC, Busta Rhymes, Levitti and Master P. The second to last track, "Ballin' Outta Control", originally appeared on the 1993 extended play, The Mail Man.
The Black Bossalini is the fifth studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released on October 28, 1997, via Jive Records. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Paris, Rick Rock, Ali Malek, Clint "Payback" Sands, Femi Ojetunde, Hen-Gee, and Mike Mosley. It features guest appearances from Big Syke, Ice-T, Kokane, Mack 10, MC Breed, Too $hort, WC, and Yukmouth. The album peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart and at number 5 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
N' My Neighborhood is the fifth studio album by American rapper MC Eiht. It was released on June 20, 2000, through Hoo-Bangin' Records and Priority Records, making it his sophomore and final album for the label. Production was handled by seven record producers, Young Tre, Caviar, DJ Raw Steele, DJ Slip, Overdose, Binky Mack of Allfrumtha I, and MC Eiht himself, with Hoo-Bangin' Records founder Mack 10 serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Mack 10, Soultre, Techniec, and CMW members.
Hustle & Flow: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the compilation soundtrack album to Craig Brewer's 2005 film Hustle & Flow. It was released on July 12, 2005, via Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records.
25 to Life is the debut studio album by American Southern hip hop quintet Pimp Squad Click. It was released in September 2005 via Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records. The album's title refers to the group members' ages at the time.
Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne in 2005. It was launched as an imprint of Cash Money Records — a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires — and Republic Records until 2018, after which the label operated severally as an imprint of latter. Wayne's longtime affiliate, rapper Mack Maine was appointed the company's president in 2009.
Criminal Activity is the only studio album by American rap supergroup Criminalz, which consisted of Spice 1 and Celly Cel. It was released on August 7, 2001 via Celly Cel's label, Realside Records. Cel also served as executive producer and audio production of the record was handled by Doyle, G-Man Stan and Spice 1. It peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 26 on the Billboard Independent Albums. The album features guest performances by Yukmouth, Tray Dee, Sylk-E. Fyne and Bun B.
11/5 was an American hip hop group from the Hunters Point section of San Francisco, California whose members were Maine-O, Hennessy and Taydatay, they were signed to Dogday Records, and were active from 1994 to 2001.
Joe Thomas, New Man is the seventh album by American recording artist Joe, released on September 23, 2008 in the United States. It marked his debut on longtime collaborator Kedar Massenburg's independent record label Kedar Entertainment, following his split with Jive Records in 2007. Joe reteamed with previous collaborators Bryan-Michael Cox, WyldCard, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins to work on the album, while additional production was provided by Jerry "Fatz" Flowers, D'Mile and production team Stereotypes.
Boss Hogg Outlawz were an American hip hop collective from Houston, Texas formed and led by Slim Thug. The collective originally included Le$, Sludge Von, C. Ward, J-Dawg, Killa Kyleon, Sir Daily, Lil Ray, Young Black, Dre Day, PJ & M.U.G. (Deceased).
Numbers is the second and final studio album by American hip hop duo MellowHype. It was released on October 9, 2012. This was their only release under a major label. The album also contains appearances from Odd Future members Frank Ocean, Mike G and Earl Sweatshirt. The album was briefly the number one rap album on iTunes, before being overtaken by The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
"Flava in Ya Ear" is a song by American rapper Craig Mack. It was released as the lead single from his debut studio album Project: Funk da World on July 2, 1994, by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. It was remixed with the addition of rappers The Notorious B.I.G., Rampage, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes.
"Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released through Columbia Records on November 12, 2021, as the only single and opening track from his reissued album, Hall of Fame 2.0. The song is an interpolation of American singer Michael Jackson's single, "Smooth Criminal", taken from his seventh studio album, Bad (1987). It was produced by J. White Did It and Larrance Dopson, while it was co-produced by Khaled Rohaim and Travis Sayles.
