The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on September 11, 2001, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and Baseline Studios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z's previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, who also contributes the album's sole guest feature.
G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time is the eighth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J, issued on Def Jam Recordings. It was released on September 12, 2000, and peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200. It was LL Cool J's first and, to date, only album to reach the top spot.
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known by his stage name Wale, is an American rapper and singer. He first gained recognition in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown, leading Wale to became locally recognized as he continued recording music for the regional audience. Wale met English DJ-producer Mark Ronson in 2006 and joined his label, Allido Records in 2007. While signed to that label, Wale released several mixtapes and appeared in national media including MTV and various Black American-focused magazines.
"Chillin" is a song by American rapper Wale, featuring singer Lady Gaga. It was released as the lead single from his debut album, Attention Deficit, on April 14, 2009, by Allido Records. Wale had wanted to collaborate with Gaga, and were introduced to each other through the rapper's mentor, Mark Ronson. "Chillin" was composed by a number of songwriters, including Wale and Gaga, while it was produced by Cool & Dre. Recorded in New York City, the song discusses Wale's life in his hometown. It has musical influence of 1990s style rapping, and contains two samples from the 1969 song "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by the band Steam, and the 1987 song, "Top Billin'", by Audio Two.
Ludaversal is the ninth and most recent studio album by American rapper Ludacris under Def Jam Recordings. It was released on March 31, 2015. Recording sessions took place during 2011 to 2015, while the production on the album was handled by several producers; including Mike Will Made It, Rico Love, Giorgio Tuinfort and Da Internz, among others.
We Are Young Money is the first compilation album by American hip hop record label Young Money Entertainment, and released on December 21, 2009 by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records. The album garnered a positive reception but critics were divided on the quality of the label's choice of artists. We Are Young Money debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 and spawned three singles: "Every Girl", "BedRock" and "Roger That". The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over 1,000,000 copies in the United States.
The State vs. Radric Davis is the sixth studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on December 8, 2009. The State vs. Radric Davis came after a slew of independent releases, mixtapes, and features over the prior few years. Productions from Polow da Don, Drumma Boy, Fatboi, Mannie Fresh, among others. Featured artists include Usher, Plies, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Bun B, OJ da Juiceman, Wooh da Kid, Waka Flocka Flame, and Nicki Minaj. The iTunes deluxe version contains the EP, Wasted: The Prequel.
"Pretty Girls" is the third official single from Wale's debut album, Attention Deficit, and is produced by Best Kept Secret. It features Gucci Mane and Weensey from the go-go band Backyard Band. It was released to iTunes and Rhapsody on October 6, 2009. The song samples Backyard Band's go-go rendition of The Moments and The Whatnauts track "Girls" and contains a line of UCB's song "Splash Girl". The official remix featuring Chris Brown and Fabolous was released on April 13, 2010. A second remix features Weensey, Raheem DeVaughn, and Phil Ade.
Live from the Kitchen is the sixth studio album by American rapper Yo Gotti. It was released on January 10, 2012, by Polo Grounds Music; distributed by RCA Records. The album was supported by two singles: "We Can Get It On" and "Single".
"Pretty Girl Rock" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, taken from her second studio album, No Boys Allowed (2010). It was released as the lead single internationally and was the second single from that album released in the United States. The song was written by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony, who also handled its production. It includes a sample of "Just the Two of Us", which was written by Bill Withers, William Salter and Ralph MacDonald. "Pretty Girl Rock" is a mid-tempo R&B song that features a slinky piano and bouncy R&B beats. Lyrically, the song is a cheeky ode to self-empowerment.
The discography of American rapper Wale consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, ten mixtapes, one extended play, sixty-five singles, two promotional singles and forty-one music videos. In 2005, Wale started his music career by releasing mixtapes in the Washington, D.C. area. His debut mixtape was titled Paint a Picture. Following that, Wale released his second mixtape in 2006, Hate Is the New Love. In the same year, Wale signed with a local record label in Studio 43. In 2007 Wale was discovered by Mark Ronson, and was signed by Allido Records, which released his third mixtape, 100 Miles & Running, featuring artist Daniel Merriweather.
Turtleneck & Chain is the second studio album by American comedy troupe The Lonely Island. The album was released on 10 May 2011 by Universal Republic Records. Turtleneck & Chain was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Many of the songs on the album were first performed on Saturday Night Live as SNL Digital Shorts. "We're Back!" premiered on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The CD version of the album also includes a DVD featuring some of the digital shorts. Collaborators on the album include Snoop Dogg, Akon, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, Michael Bolton, Santigold, John Waters, and Beck.
Ambition is the second studio album by American rapper Wale. It was released on November 1, 2011, by Maybach Music Group, Allido Records and Warner Bros. Records. This serves as the follow-up to his debut album, Attention Deficit, which was released in 2009. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Lex Luger, T-Minus, Tha Bizness, DJ Toomp and Diplo among others. The album also features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Lloyd, Ne-Yo, Big Sean, Miguel, Meek Mill, Kid Cudi, and Jeremih.
Chicken-n-Beer is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ludacris. It was released on October 7, 2003, by Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, and it was handled by several record producers, including DJ Nasty & LVM, Kanye West, Mo B. Dick, DJ Paul, Juicy J and Ludacris himself. The album, Chicken-n-Beer is musically similar to Ludacris' previous work, with his use of a fast, highly versatile flow. Some of the songs on the album take a political overtone.
Hip hop music in Washington, D.C., has been an important part of the culture of the area.
"Bad" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Wale. It was released on February 5, 2013, as the first single from his third studio album The Gifted (2013). The song, produced by Kelson Camp, features a guest appearance from Tiara Thomas. "Bad" has so far peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Wale's third top 40 entry after "No Hands" and "Lotus Flower Bomb", and becoming his highest-charting single as a lead artist. It also became Thomas' first top 40 entry.
The Gifted is the third studio album by American rapper Wale. The album was released on June 25, 2013 by Maybach Music Group, Allido Records, and Atlantic Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Just Blaze, Jake One, Kane Beatz, Cardiak, The Runners and Lee Major among others. The album also features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz among others.
Pretty Girls Like Trap Music is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2 Chainz. It was released on June 16, 2017 through Def Jam Recordings, as the follow-up to ColleGrove, his 2016 collaborative effort with Lil Wayne. The production on the album was handled by FKi, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Mike Dean, Mike Will Made It, and Murda Beatz, among others. The album also features guest appearances from several urban artists; Gucci Mane, Quavo, Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Swae Lee, Drake, Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz, Jhené Aiko, Pharrell, and Monica.
Shine is the fifth studio album by American rapper Wale. It was released on April 28, 2017, by his label, Every Blue Moon, distributed by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers including Cool & Dre, Kane Beatz, Diplo, Lee Major, Nez & Rio and Christian Rich among others. The album also features guest appearances by Dua Lipa, Chris Brown, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Wizkid, J Balvin and G-Eazy among others.
Folarin II is the seventh studio album by American rapper Wale released on October 22, 2021, by Every Blue Moon, Maybach Music Group and Warner Records. The production on the album was handled by several producers, including Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Hitmaka, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lee Major, OG Parker and Rogét Chahayed among others. The album features guest appearances by Rick Ross, Chris Brown, J. Cole, Jamie Foxx, Ant Clemons, Yella Beezy, Maxo Kream, Chase Young, and Shawn Stockman. The album was executive produced by Ross and Wale. It is the sequel to Wale's 2012 mixtape Folarin.
