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 411 are an English girl group comprising Carolyn Owlett, Tisha Martin and Tanya Bryson, the group was formed in late 2002 after Martin and Bryson sang backing vocals on Lemar's version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". The 411 took its name from the Mary J. Blige album What's the 411? (1992). The group released one studio album, Between the Sheets, and three top-forty singles before disbanding for the first time in 2005.
Born Again is the first posthumous compilation album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on December 7, 1999. It is composed primarily of early recorded verses with newer beats and guest rappers.
Grand Champ is the fifth studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on September 16, 2003 by Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The album was produced by multiple producers, including Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease, Kanye West, and No I.D. It features guest appearances from 50 Cent, Cam'ron, Eve, Styles P, Monica, and Jadakiss, among others.
Wanted is the fourth studio album by American rapper Bow Wow. The album was released on July 12, 2005, by Columbia Records and Sony Urban Music. The production of the album was primarily handled by Bow Wow's long-time producer Jermaine Dupri as well as LRoc, Bryan Michael Cox and No I.D. The album also features guest appearances by Omarion, Snoop Dogg, Ciara among others. This was Bow Wow's first album to contain uncensored profanity, although only one curse word is featured, specifically “nigga".
No Way Out is the debut studio album by American rapper Puff Daddy & The Family. It was released on July 22, 1997 by Arista Records and Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Entertainment. The album's crediting of the Family references the guest appearances from his label-mates at Bad Boy Records.
"Shape" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was composed by Sting, Dominic Miller, and Craig Dodds, who produced the song. The midtempo pop and R&B ballad incorporates a sample of Sting's 1993 recording "Shape of My Heart", whose vocals are featured in the chorus. It received mixed reviews from critics, who were ambivalent towards the sample of "Shape of My Heart".
Carolyn Julia Owlett is an English singer and model. She is a member of R&B group The 411.
"Overload" is the debut single of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 11 September 2000 through London Records as the lead single from the group's debut studio album, One Touch (2000). At the time, the group consisted of Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. It was co-produced and co-written by British songwriters and producers Paul Simm, Felix Howard, Jony Rockstar and Cameron McVey. The general theme of the song involves a teenage girl's crush towards a boy and her finding the situation difficult to manage.
"I Changed My Mind" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole, recorded for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). It was written by the singer along with John Legend and Kanye West, while production on the track was helmed by the latter. Released on November 9, 2004 as the lead single from the album, it was mildly successful commercially, peaking at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.
Real Girl is the debut solo studio album by British singer Mutya Buena. It was released on 4 June 2007 via Island Records. Following her departure from British girl group Sugababes in December 2005, Buena later signed a new record deal with Island Records, which was the same label Sugababes was signed to, and began work on the album.
"On My Knees" is the debut single of British R&B girl group the 411, released on 17 May 2004 and included on their first album, Between the Sheets (2004). The song samples "Ain't My Style" by the Main Ingredient and features guest vocals from American rapper Ghostface Killah. On the UK Singles Chart, the song reached number four and spent 10 weeks in the UK top 75. It also charted in nine other countries in Europe and Australia.
"Dumb" is a song by British R&B group the 411. It was written by band members Suzie Furlonger, Carolyn Owlett, Tisha Martin and Tanya Boniface along with Gandalf Roudette-Mushcamp and Joshua Thompson for their debut studio album Between the Sheets (2004). Production was helmed by Dave McCracken, based on an original production by Redeye, with Fitzgerald Scott credited as additional and vocal producer on the track.
"Teardrops" is a song by British R&B group the 411. It was written by band members Suzie Furlonger, Carolyn Owlett, Tisha Martin and Tanya Boniface along with Fitzgerald Scott and Kim Hoglund for their debut studio album Between the Sheets (2004), while production was helmed by Scott and Hoglund. The song is built around a sample of "Sour Times" (1994) by English trip hop group Portishead, itself a sample of Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin's "Danube Incident" (1967). Due to the inclusion of the sample, Schifrin is also credited as a songwriter. "Teardrops" was released as the album's third and final single from and debuted and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 23.
"Let the Groove Get In" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his third studio album, The 20/20 Experience (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. A latin song, "Let the Groove Get In" contains sample from the recording "Alhamdulillaahi" part of the release Explore Series: Africa-Burkina Faso: Rhythms of the Grasslands (2002). Music critics received the song well and noticed a similarity between it and the works of Michael Jackson in particular his 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Following the release of The 20/20 Experience, it debuted at number 31 on the South Korea International Chart and at number nine on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
Free 6lack is the debut studio album by American singer 6lack. It was released on November 18, 2016, by LVRN and Interscope Records. The album was supported by two singles: "Ex Calling" and "Prblms". It was nominated at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
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.
Rap or Go to the League is the fifth studio album by American rapper 2 Chainz. It was released on March 1, 2019, through Gamebread and Def Jam Recordings. The production on the album was handled by multiple producers, including 9th Wonder, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Mike Dean, Mustard, Pharrell Williams, Terrace Martin, and WondaGurl, among others. LeBron James also served as executive producer. The album features guest appearances by Young Thug, Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and others.
Three. Two. One. is the debut studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Lennon Stella, released on April 24, 2020, by Columbia Records. She collaborated with various producers, including Malay, Joel Little and Sam de Jong. Five tracks were issued as singles: "Kissing Other People", "Golf on TV", "Jealous", "Fear of Being Alone" and "Older Than I Am". The album follows her debut EP Love, Me, released on November 16, 2018.
Thats What They All Say is the debut studio album by American rapper Jack Harlow. It was released on December 11, 2020, by Generation Now and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Lil Baby, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Adam Levine, EST Gee, Bryson Tiller, DaBaby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne, the latter three appear on the remix of Harlow's breakout single, "Whats Poppin". It also features a posthumous guest appearance from Static Major.
