Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She was discovered as a teenager by record producer Irv Gotti, and signed with his label Murder Inc. Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2002. That same year, she guest appeared on the singles "What's Luv?" by Fat Joe, and "Always on Time" by labelmate Ja Rule, which peaked at numbers two and one on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively; the latter, with her 2002 debut single "Foolish", made her the first female artist to occupy the top two positions the chart simultaneously.
Reasonable Doubt is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by his own record label Roc-A-Fella Records and distributed by Priority Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and also includes guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G., among others. The album features mafioso rap themes and gritty lyrics about the "hustler" lifestyle and material obsessions.
Stillmatic is the fifth studio album by American rapper Nas, released on December 18, 2001, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. In contrast to his previous work's gangsta rap themes, the album contains socially conscious and philosophical themes similar to that of his 1994 debut Illmatic. Nas' lyrics address topics such as ghetto life, American politics, and his feud with rapper Jay-Z.
En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single "Hold On", taken from their 1990 debut album Born to Sing. The group's 1992 follow-up album Funky Divas reached the top 10 in both the US and UK, and included their second US number two hit "My Lovin' " as well as the US top 10 hits "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind".
Blaque is an American girl group; they had songs chart from 1999 to 2004. Outside of the United States, they are known as Blaque Ivory. Their self-titled debut album Blaque sold more than 1 million copies and was certified Platinum. The group's debut included the platinum-selling lead single "808"; a second single, "I Do"; and the international pop hit "Bring It All to Me". In 1999, Billboard named Blaque the 4th Best New Artist of the year, with "Bring It All to Me" landing at number 30 on the 2000 Year End Chart. In 2002 and 2003, the group released three less successful singles, "Can't Get It Back", "Ugly", and "I'm Good", the latter appearing in the film Honey.
The Hard Way is the only studio album from American hip hop trio 213, which consisted of Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg. It was released on August 17, 2004, under Doggystyle Records, G-Funk Entertainment, Dogg Foundation, and TVT Records.
Sharissa Dawes is an American singer. Born in New York City's borough of Brooklyn, Bronx raised, she began her musical career in the R&B group 4KaST. 4KaST released their 1998 debut album, Any Weather, on RCA Records, which was promoted with the singles "Miss My Lovin'" and "I Tried". After her time in the groups, Sharissa worked as a backing vocalist before she signed to Henchman/Motown Records.
"Can't Get It Back" is a song by American recording group Blaque. It was written by Salaam Remi, Marlon Williams, and Hernst "StayBent" Bellevue, and band member Natina Reed for the group's second album, Blaque Out (2002). Production was helmed by Remi with co-production from Bellevue. The song samples from the song "We're Going to a Party" (1977) by American R&B singer Evelyn "Champagne" King. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Aubrey Gravatt, Joseph Freeman, and Theodore Life are also credited as songwriters. "Can't Get It Back" was released as the first single on October 16, 2001 in the United States where it peaked at 91 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. With Blaque Out eventually being shelved, "Can't Get It Back" was later re-recorded, remixed, and released by British girl group Mis-Teeq in 2003.
Blaque is the debut album by the American girl-group Blaque. It was released by Trackmasters Entertainment and Columbia Records on May 19, 1999 in the United States. A R&B and pop album, with hip hop and teen pop influences, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 10, 2000. and has sold 1.5 million copies to date.
9 Lives is the third solo studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on June 12, 2001, under the Motown imprint. Production was handled by twelve record producers, including Bink!, Darren Lighty, Eddie F and Ty Fyffe. It features guest appearances from Ali Vegas, Amil, Beanie Sigel, Foxy Brown and Joe. The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 and number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he formed Tha Dogg Pound in 1992 along with Daz Dillinger; the rap duo has released eight albums. He also formed the hip hop group The Hrsmn in 1996, with whom he has released two albums. His debut solo album, Kuruption! (1998) was released by A&M Records and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.
Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey is the third solo studio album by American rapper Kurupt. It was released on July 17, 2001, through Antra/Artemis Records. The album was produced by Daz Dillinger, Chris Arms, Damizza, DJ Lethal, DJ Quik, Jeeky Man, Jon B., Mike Dean, Soopafly, and Fredwreck, who also served as executive producer together with Joe Marrone. It features guest appearances from Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, DJ Lethal, Butch Cassidy, Damani, DJ Quik, Everlast, Fred Durst, Goldie Loc, Jon B, Lil' ½ Dead, MC Ren, Natina Reed, Snoop Doggy, Soopafly, and Xzibit.
Natina Tiawana Reed was an American singer, rapper and actress. She was born in Queens and raised in Atlanta, where she pursued a career in music beginning in her early teens. Discovered by rapper Lisa Lopes, she worked as a writer for the girl group TLC. Reed gained notice in the late 1990s as a member of the girl group Blaque. They released two albums: their 1999 eponymous debut album that peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200, and Blaque Out (2001).
Calvin Richardson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He signed with Universal Motown Records to release his debut studio album, Country Boy (1999). His second album, 2:35 PM (2003), was released by Hollywood Records and entered the Billboard 200.
"I'm Good" is a song by American R&B/pop vocal trio Blaque. It was written by Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, and group member Natina Reed, and produced by Rodney Jerkins for Blaque's third studio album Torch. The song was also included on the soundtrack for the film Honey (2003) and released as a single in September 2, 2003. "I'm Good" peaked at number 28 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, number 47 on the Swiss Singles Chart, and number 57 on the Austrian Singles Chart. It peaked at number 95 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in November 2003.
"808" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group Blaque from their self-titled debut album. Released to radio and music video stations in early 1999, "808" became the group's first top-10 hit in the United States, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching top five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.
"Bring It All to Me" is a song performed by American R&B girl group Blaque. The song samples Shalamar's "I Don't Wanna Be the Last to Know". The remix and album version of the song features JC Chasez of boy band *NSYNC but is credited to the group as a whole. It was released on October 11, 1999, as Blaque's third single in the United States.
"I Do" is a song released in 1999 by the American vocal trio, Blaque. It was released as the group's second single in the United States and Japan, and the third single in Europe.
Taurian Adonis Shropshire is an American songwriter and record producer.
American R&B band Blaque has released three studio albums. Formed after being introduced to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC, the band debuted in 1997 when they made a cameo appearance in the video for rapper Lil' Kim's "Not Tonight (Remix)." In 1999, their self-titled debut album was released by Trackmasters Entertainment and Columbia Records. A R&B and pop album, with hip hop and teen pop influences, the album reached number 23 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with domestic sales of more than 1.5 million copies. Blaque produced two top ten hits on the US Billboard Hot 100, including "808" and "Bring It All to Me."
