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.
Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, and has also done guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. Initially an underground artist, his 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. Beginning in 1998, he began collaborating with mainstream rappers outside the San Francisco Bay Area. He rose to higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "Tell Me When to Go", which was produced by Lil Jon.
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse is the seventh studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. A double album, it was released on November 12, 2002, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Island Def Jam Music Group. The album serves as a sequel to his sixth album The Blueprint (2001). The album debuted at number one, shipping with first-week sales of 545,000 units. The album is certified 3x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. In 2013, Jay-Z cited this album as his second-worst due to an overabundance of songs on the album. A one-disc reissue, titled Blueprint 2.1, was released in 2003.
Mario Sentell Giden Mims, known professionally as Yo Gotti, is an American rapper and music executive. In 1996, he released his debut album Youngsta's On a Come Up under the alias Lil Yo. He went on to release From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game (2000), Self-Explanatory (2001), Life (2003), Back 2 da Basics (2006), Live from the Kitchen (2012), I Am (2013), The Art of Hustle (2016), I Still Am (2017), Untrapped (2020), and CM10: Free Game (2022).
"Girls, Girls, Girls" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's album The Blueprint (2001). The single was released on October 2, 2001. It is a playful description of the artist's promiscuous lifestyle. The song contains a sample of "There's Nothing In This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You" by Tom Brock, who died a year later. The chorus features a lyrical interpolation of "High Power Rap" by Crash Crew. The song has additional vocals sung by Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie, but they are not credited as featured guests on the back artwork; they are, however, credited in the album's liner notes.
Side Hustles is the second compilation album by American Southern hip hop duo UGK. It was released on September 24, 2002, via Jive Records. Production was handled by Barry Adams, Byrd, Colin Wolfe, Franklin "Livin' Proof" Crum, Gavin "Pretty Boy" Marchand, Melvin Coleman, Organized Noize, Scarface, Studio Ton, Ty Fyffe and Pimp C. It features guest appearances from Mil, Too $hort, 8Ball, B-Legit, Celly Cel, E-40, K.B., Marquaze, Q, Rob Jackson, Scarface, Sonji Mickey and Young Smitty. The album peaked at number 70 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
The Best of E-40: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is the first greatest hits compilation by American rapper E-40. It was released on August 24, 2004 by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. The album peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 133 on the Billboard 200.
In a Major Way is the second studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 14, 1995, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. Production was handled by Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Funk Daddy, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, and E-40 himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Levitti, 2Pac, Celly Cel, Mac Mall, Mac Shawn and Spice 1, as well as fellow The Click groupmates B-Legit and Suga-T, and his son Droop-E.
The Mail Man is an extended play by American rapper E-40. It was released on September 28, 1993 by Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton and E-40. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 131 on the Billboard 200.
You Can't Stop the Reign is the third studio album by American basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal. It was released on November 19, 1996, through T.W.IsM./Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at T.W.IsM. Studios in Orlando, Skip Saylor in Los Angeles and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, with additional recordings done at Soundtrack Studios and The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled by Dave Atkinson, Ross "Spyda" Sloan, Domingo, Trackmasters, Darkchild, Bobby Brown, Chris Large, DJ Quik, Easy Mo Bee, G-1, I-Roc, Jammin' James Carter, Mobb Deep and Ralph Tresvant. It features guest appearances from Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, S.H.E., Bobby Brown, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Peaches.
The G Filez is the third solo studio album by American rapper Celly Cel. It was released on July 14, 1998 through Sick Wid It/Jive Records. Production was handled by G-Man Stan, Sam Bostic, Spliff, Studio Ton, Tone Capone, K-Lou, Mark D, Mike Mosley, ProHoeZak, Quincy Jones III, Rick Rock, Sean T and Celly Cel himself, with co-producer Don Juan, and executive producers E-40 and B-Legit. It features guest appearances from E-40, B-Legit, C-Bo, Chill, Keak da Sneak, L.I.T., Mac Reese, Mack 10, Messy Marv, Mugzi, Rappin' 4-Tay, San Quinn, Silkk the Shocker, UGK, Miss Mocha, Otis & Shug. The album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album spawned three singles, "Fuck tha World", "Get a Real Job" and "Pop the Trunk".
The Hemp Museum is the second solo studio album by American rapper B-Legit. It was released on November 26, 1996 through Sick Wid It/Jive Records. Production was handled by Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, Femi Ojetunde, Emgee, Tone Capone and B-Legit himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from C-Bo, Levitti, Celly Cel, Daryl Hall, E-40, Kurupt, A-1 and Funk Mobb.
Jermaine Coleman, better known by his stage name Maino, is an American rapper and radio personality. His 2008 debut single, "Hi Hater" entered Billboard's Hot Rap Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts. This led to him to sign with Atlantic Records and release his 2009 follow-up single "All the Above", which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs preceded the release of his debut studio album If Tomorrow Comes… (2009), which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200. Its sequel, The Day After Tomorrow (2012) peaked at number 94 and was supported by the single "Let It Fly".
Baller Blockin is the soundtrack for the film Baller Blockin' by the Cash Money Millionaires, released September 12, 2000 on Cash Money Records. The soundtrack features most of the then-roster of Cash Money Records, including Birdman, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Turk. Other artists include E-40, UGK, Eightball & MJG, Nas and Mack 10.
Southwest Riders is a compilation album presented by American rappers E-40 and B-Legit. It was released on August 26, 1997, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records. The album features production by Bosko, DJ Paul, Juicy J, KLC, The Legendary Traxster, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton and T-Mix. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 23 on the Billboard 200. The album features performances by Richie Rich, UGK, A-1, WC, 3X Krazy, Luniz, Celly Cel, Eightball & MJG, Twista and Brotha Lynch Hung.
Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift is the twelfth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 30, 2010, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment and EMI. His eleventh album, Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift, was released on the same day.
Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock; it was released on July 26, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. The album was preceded by two singles; "All My Life " and "Hood Gone Love It".
The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2 is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 26, 2012, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment and EMI. His fifteenth and seventeenth albums, The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1 and The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3, were also released on the same day.
The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3 is the seventeenth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on March 26, 2012, by Heavy on the Grind Entertainment and EMI. His fifteenth and sixteenth albums, The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1 and The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2, were also released on the same day.
The Pinkprint is the third studio album by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on December 12, 2014, by Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. Minaj co-executive-produced the album alongside Birdman, Lil Wayne and Ronald Williams, with a variety of producers who produced the album's sound. Looking to depart from the dance-pop elements of her second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012), The Pinkprint is a follow-up record influenced by her traditional hip hop beginnings.
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