New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, new jack swing was most popular from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
Color Me Badd is an American contemporary R&B group that was formed in 1985 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, by lead singer Bryan Abrams, tenor Mark Calderon, second tenor Sam Watters and baritone Kevin Thornton. Color Me Badd broke up in 1998 before reuniting in 2010, with various lineups since.
Ill Na Na is the debut studio album by American rapper Foxy Brown. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on November 19, 1996, and reissued on September 29, 1997, in the UK with an additional song "Big Bad Mamma". Brown began working on the album after being discovered by the production team Trackmasters and appearing on a number of singles by other artists, such as LL Cool J, Case and Jay Z. The immediate success of the singles led to a bidding war at the beginning of 1996, and in March, Def Jam Recordings won and signed the then 17-year-old rapper to the label. Mostly produced by Trackmasters, Ill Na Na features guest appearances from Blackstreet, Havoc, Method Man, Kid Capri and Jay Z. Lyrically, the album mainly focuses on themes of fashion, sex and mafia.
At the Speed of Life is the debut studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on October 15, 1996, through Loud/RCA Records. The recording sessions took place at Tha Concentration Camp and The Compound in Los Angeles and Ameraycan Studios in North Hollywood. The album was produced by Craig Sherrad, E-Swift, Thayod Ausar, Diamond D, DJ Muggs, DJ Pen One, and Saafir. It features guest appearances from Hurricane G, J-Ro, King T, Ras Kass, Saafir, Tash and Ron Hightower.
Da Baddest Bitch is the debut studio album by American rapper Trina. It was released on March 21, 2000, through Atlantic Records and Slip-N-Slide Records. Chiefly produced by Righteous Funk Boogie, the album debuted at number thirty-three on the US Billboard 200 and number eleven on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums in 2002.
The Naked Truth is the fourth studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on September 27, 2005. The album was released the same week she started her year-long prison sentence for perjury and it was her last studio album released by Atlantic Records before deciding to part ways in 2008. Two official singles were released from the album: "Lighters Up" as the lead single, released in September 2005, and "Whoa", as the second and final single, in February 2006. The Naked Truth remains the only album by a female rapper to be rated five mics by The Source. The album has sold nearly 500,000 copies in the United States.
Love and Basketball: Music From The Motion Picture is the soundtrack to Gina Prince-Bythewood's 2000 film Love & Basketball. It was released on April 18, 2000 through Overbrook Music/Interscope Records, and mostly consisted of contemporary R&B with some hip hop music. The soundtrack was a minor success, peaking at number 45 on the Billboard 200, number 15 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 1 on the Independent Albums.
Guerillas in tha Mist is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Da Lench Mob, who originally appeared on Ice Cube's debut solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. The titular "Guerillas in tha Mist" was a hit at the release of the album. The album was produced by Ice Cube, who is also featured throughout the album though uncredited. The album peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200, number 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 18, 1992, indicating US sales of over 500,000 units. The single "Freedom Got an A.K." peaked at number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Bow Down is the debut studio album by American West Coast hip hop supergroup Westside Connection. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Lench Mob Records and Priority Records. The recording sessions took place at Ice Cube's house studio, Westsiiiiide Studios, in California, except for the song "Gangstas Make the World Go Round", which was recorded at Treehouse Studios in South Africa. The production was handled by Bud'da, Quincy Jones III, Binky Mack, and Ice Cube, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Allfrumtha I and the Comrads.
Universal Soldier is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper Pastor Troy. It was released in 2002 through Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Madd House Studios, at the Village Recorder. at PatchWerk Recording Studios, at Sound Lab, at Audio Vision Studios, at Flamingo Studios, at Off The Top Studios, and at 1210 Studios. Production was handled by Lil Jon, Timbaland, Tony "T-Cap" Sims, Jazze Pha, Benny "DaDa" Tillman, Big Floaty, Carlos "Los Vagez" Thornton, Church Boi, Carl Mo, and Pastor Troy himself, with Dino Delvaille serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Bun B, Ms. Jade, Pastor Troy Sr., Timbaland, and fellow D.S.G.B. members. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Are We Cuttin'", reached number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was used on the soundtrack to Rob Cohen's film xXx.
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.
Joe Budden is the debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, later the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
Headz or Tailz is the second studio album by American hip hop group Do Or Die. It was released on April 7, 1998, via Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records. Recording sessions took place at Hippie House Studios and Knock Hard Studio in Houston and at Creator's Way Studios in Chicago. Production was handled by the Legendary Traxster, Mr. Lee and Mike Dean, with J. Prince serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Danny Boy, Johnny P., Beyond Content, Bushwick Bill, Chilla, Scarface, Shock Tha World, Twista and Val Young. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 29, 1998. Its lead single, "Still Po Pimpin", reached at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 16 on the Hot Rap Singles. The song "Bustin Back" is a diss track towards Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
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.
Through the Storm is the thirty-second studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was released on April 1, 1989, by Arista Records.
Ollusion is the third studio album by American R&B singer Omarion. It was released on January 12, 2010, by EMI, StarrWorld Entertainment, and MusicWorks. The album sold 21,200 copies its first week of sales.
Whiteboys (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to Marc Levin's 1999 comedy film Whiteboyz. It was released on July 20, 1999 via TVT Soundtrax and consists entirely of hip hop music. Production was handled by several record producers, including Arkatech Beatz, Che Pope, Daz Dillinger, DJ Hurricane, Irv Gotti, Ty Fyffe, DJ Paul and Juicy J. It features appearances from 12 Gauge, Big Pun, Big Tray Deee, Black Child, Buckshot, Canibus, Common, Do Or Die, Flipmode Squad, Gotta Boyz, Raekwon, Slick Rick, Smif-N-Wessun, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly, T-Bo, Tha Dogg Pound, The WhoRidas, Three 6 Mafia, Tommy Finger, Trick Daddy, Wildliffe Society, and 6430.
"Colors" is a song by American rapper Ice-T, co-produced by Afrika Islam, featuring DJ Eric Garcia, or Evil E. It was issued as the title track for the soundtrack to the film of the same name. The song was released as a single in 1988. In 2008, it was named the 19th-greatest hip hop song of all time by VH1. The song was Ice-T's first to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 70.The song samples "Ain't We Funkin' Now" by The Brothers Johnson.
Straight Outta Compton: Music from the Motion Picture is the soundtrack to the 2015 film of the same name. The album was released by Universal Music Enterprises on January 8, 2016 in digital formats. The soundtrack features songs that were mainly performed by N.W.A but also includes solo performances from N.W.A members Ice Cube, Eazy-E, and Dr. Dre.
The Imperial is the only studio album by American hip hop group Flipmode Squad. It was released on September 1, 1998, via Elektra Records. The recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York. The album was produced by DJ Scratch, Busta Rhymes, Da Beatminerz, L.E.S., M.D., Rockwilder, Swizz Beatz, and Tony Touch. It features a guest appearance from Buckshot on "We Got U Opin, Pt. 2".
