The College Dropout is the debut studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released on February 10, 2004, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. In the years leading up to release, West had received praise for his production work for rappers such as Jay-Z and Talib Kweli, but faced difficulty being accepted as an artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. Intent on pursuing a solo career, he signed a record deal with Roc-A-Fella and recorded the album over a period of four years, beginning in 1999.
All or Nothing is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on June 14, 2005, through Atlantic Records, making it his fourth and final studio album for the label. The album was originally slated to be titled Things of that Nature, but owing to his dispute with 50 Cent, changed the album to All or Nothing.
Tha Carter II is the fifth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on December 6, 2005, by Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment and Universal Records. Recording sessions took place from 2004 to 2005, with Birdman and his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams serving as the record's executive producers. Additional producers on the album included The Runners and The Heatmakerz, among others. The album serves as a sequel to his fourth album Tha Carter (2004), and was supported by three singles.
Finding Forever is the seventh studio album by Common, released on July 31, 2007, on GOOD Music and Geffen Records. Like Common's previous album, Be (2005), Finding Forever is primarily produced by Kanye West. The album debuted at the number one on the Billboard 200, selling 155,000 units in the first week, becoming Common's first chart-topper. Selling over 500,000 units in the US, it has been certified Gold. Finding Forever was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, losing to West's Graduation at the 50th Grammy Awards.
Foundation is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian. It was released on September 29, 1998, via Arista Records. The album marked the reunion of the four original members, Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and DJ Alamo, who hadn't released an album together since their 1990 debut One for All.
Thug Matrimony: Married to the Streets is the sixth studio album by American rapper Trick Daddy. It was released on October 26, 2004 via Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic Records. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 with 145,000 copies sold in the first week released. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 1, 2004.
Music from the Motion Picture Poetic Justice is the soundtrack to John Singleton's 1993 film Poetic Justice. It was released on June 29, 1993, through Epic Soundtrax, and consisted of a blend of hip hop and R&B music. The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on August 25, 1993.
The Price of Fame is the fifth studio album by American rapper Bow Wow. It was released on December 19, 2006, by Bow Wow's LBW Entertainment, an imprint of Columbia Records; it serves as the first project issued through the former label. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Johntá Austin, Pimp C, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Da Brat, Lil Scrappy, Khleo Thomas, R. Kelly, and former label boss Jermaine Dupri. Production was handled by the latter two themselves, alongside No I.D., Nitti, Lil Ronnie, LRoc, and Bryan-Michael Cox. It was Bow Wow's second album to contain uncensored profanity, though a Parental Advisory label was never issued.
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.
Baby Makin' Music is the thirtieth studio album by the American musical group The Isley Brothers. It was released under the short-lived Def Soul Classics imprint on May 9, 2006. Crediting Ronald Isley as the group's bandleader, it involves production from Gordon Chambers, Jermaine Dupri, Tim & Bob, Ezekiel Lewis, Manuel Seal and R. Kelly.
Ridin' Dirty is the third studio album by American hip hop duo UGK. It was released on July 30, 1996, by Jive Records. Despite no music videos or official singles being released, it is their best selling album with over 850,000 copies sold to date, with 70,000 copies sold in its first week.
"Footsteps in the Dark" is a 1977 slow jam recorded by The Isley Brothers as an album track featured on the group's album Go for Your Guns. It was the B-side to "Groove with You", which reached number 16 on the R&B singles chart. The song is noted for its unique guitar timbre which can be heard on other Isley Brother tracks such as "Voyage to Atlantis", as well as marking Ron Isley's growing transition into singing more ballads compared to the band's earlier funk approach.
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.
Friday (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to F. Gary Gray's 1995 stoner film Friday. It was released on April 11, 1995, through Priority Records and consists of hip hop and R&B music.
All Day Everyday is the fourth studio album by American West Coast hip hop group South Central Cartel. It was released on June 3, 1997 via Rush Associated Labels. Recording sessions took place at Echo Sound and Kitchen Sync Studio in Los Angeles between Autumn 1996 and Spring 1997. Production was handled by members Prodeje and Havikk The Rhime Son, Sean T and The Real Richie Rich, with additional producers Tomie Mundy and Robert "Fonksta" Bacon. The album peaked at number 178 on the Billboard 200 and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
The Latch-Key Child is the debut studio album by American rapper A+. It was released on August 27, 1996 through Kedar Entertainment/Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Battery Studios in New York. Production was handled by Smith Brothers Entertainment, Buckwild, Fabian Hamilton, Miladon, Carl Carr and Ike Lee, with Kedar Massenburg serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from AZ, Prodigy, Q-Tip and Shakira Atily. The album peaked at #36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #17 on the Top Heatseekers in the United States.
Smooth is the third studio album by American singer and rapper Smooth. It was released on August 1, 1995, via TNT Recordings and Jive Records. The album was produced by Chris Stokes, Larry "Rock" Campbell, K. Fingers, D-Flow Production Squad, and James Strong, with Atron Gregory serving as executive producer. It features a guest appearance from 2Pac.
So Far Gone is the third mixtape by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on February 13, 2009 self-released under his October's Very Own label. The mixtape was met with critical and commercial success, serving as a catalyst for Drake's career as a mainstream musical artist. So Far Gone peaked at number seven on the Canadian Albums Chart and number five on the Billboard 200. It remains Drake's final independent project.
UGK 4 Life is the sixth and final studio album by American hip hop duo UGK. It was released on March 31, 2009, by Jive Records. Recording sessions took place at Mad Studios in Houston, Swagger Studios in Los Angeles, Trill Cave Studios in Port Arthur, Maximedia Studios in Dallas, Chung King Studios and Legacy Recording Studios in New York, and Silent Sound Recording Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Cory Mo, Pimp C, Steve Below, Averexx, DJ B-Do, Mannie Fresh and Akon, with Mike Dean and Giorgio Tuinfort serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Akon, Big Gipp, B-Legit, E-40, Lil' Boosie, Raheem DeVaughn, Ronald Isley, Sleepy Brown, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort and Webbie.
"I" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers. It was released on September 23, 2014 as the lead single from Lamar's third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly. The song uses music from "That Lady", written by and originally performed by R&B group The Isley Brothers, elements from which were re-recorded rather than being directly sampled from the original record. It won two awards at the 2015 Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
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