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.
American singer Usher has released nine studio albums, ten compilation albums, eight extended plays, and 81 singles. His music has been released on the LaFace, Arista, Jive and RCA record labels. Usher has sold more than 33 million albums in the United States alone and over 65 million albums worldwide. With over 150 million total records sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling music artists of all time. He has nine Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 18 Hot 100 top-ten singles. In 1994, Usher released his self-titled debut album in North America, producing three singles that had moderate chart success, and the album sold more than 500,000 copies. His follow-up 1997 album My Way sold over 8 million copies worldwide, becoming his breakthrough album. It is certified seven-times platinum in the US, and spawned three successful singles, including his first UK number-one "You Make Me Wanna..." and first US Hot 100 number-one song "Nice & Slow". Usher's success continued in 2001 with his third studio album 8701. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The album produced two number-one singles—"U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad". In 2002, the album was certified five-times platinum in the US for sales of 5 million copies. As of 2010, its worldwide sales stand at over 8 million.
Dru Hill is the debut studio album from American boy band Dru Hill, released November 19, 1996, on Island Records. The album featured four singles "Tell Me", "In My Bed", "Never Make A Promise" and "5 Steps". All of the singles had music videos released. The album also features the So So Def remix of "In My Bed", which features Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat, as a bonus track, which also had a music video released.
Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992, through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal and at The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled primarily by Grand Puba, along with Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri and The Brand New Heavies.
1st Class is the second full-length studio album by American rapper and producer the Large Professor. It was released on October 8, 2002, through Matador Records. Recording sessions took place at Bang'n Studios and C Mo' Greens Studio in Queens. Production was handled by Large Professor himself, Hill, J-Love and Xplicit, with Kenneth Johnson serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Akinyele, Busta Rhymes, Nas and Q-Tip.
IV Life is the fourth studio album by American West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It was released on March 28, 1995 via MCA Records, making it his first album on the label after his split with Capitol Records. Production was handled by several record producers, including DJ Pooh, Moe Love, TR Love, Grand Mixer DXT, E-Swift, DJ Broadway, Mark Sparks, Rashad, Thayod, Da Mic Profesah, Nikke Nicole, SLJ, and King Tee himself. It also features guest appearances from Xzibit, Breeze, and Tha Alkaholiks. The album spawned three singles: "Dippin'"/"Duck", "Way Out There"/"Super Nigga" and "Free Style Ghetto"/"Let's Get It On", but only "Dippin'" made it to Billboard charts, reaching number 46 on the Hot Rap Songs.
The Beatnuts is the self-titled full-length debut album by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released on June 21, 1994, via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at LGK Studios in Leonia, New Jersey, at Soundtrack Studios and Greene St. Recording in New York. Production was handled by the Beatnuts, except for one song produced by Lucien. It features guest appearances from Gab Gotcha of Triflicts, Grand Puba and Miss Jones. The album reached number 182 on the Billboard 200 and number 28 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums in the United States. It boasts two singles: "Props Over Here", which peaked at number 39 on the US Hot Rap Singles, and "Hit Me with That". Music video for "Props Over Here" was directed by Abraham Lincoln Lim.
Intoxicated Demons: The EP is the debut extended play by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released in April 1993 via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Variety Recording Studio in New York and at LGK Studios in New Jersey. It features one guest vocalist, V.I.C., on the track "World's Famous". Two singles, "Reign of the Tec" and "No Equal", were released in promotion of the album. The album was received positively for its diverse beats and comedic lyrics. Its cover art was inspired by the cover of Hank Mobley's The Turnaround!.
Da Baydestrian is the third studio album by American rapper Mistah F.A.B. from Oakland, California. It was released on May 15, 2007, via SMC Recordings and Thizz Entertainment. Production was handled by several record producers, including Gennessee Lewis, Maxwell Smart, Sean T, Traxamillion, Rob-E, Bedrock, Politics, Trackademicks, and Young L. It also features guest appearances from Keak da Sneak, Messy Marv, Spice 1, Too $hort, Fabo, 2Dolla, Dogwood, Dyson, and J. Nash.
Radio is the fifth solo studio album by Jamaican reggae musician Ky-Mani Marley. It was released on September 25, 2007 through AAO Music and Vox Music Group. Recording sessions took place at Lions Den, The Hit Factory and Circle House in Miami, at Right Track Studio and SMT Studio in New York, and at Vox Studio. Production was handled by Jason "J-Vibe" Farmer, Alex "Lex" Francis, Ky Miller, BlackOut, Corey Chase, DannyBoyStyles, Larry "Kalid" Chu, Mark Sparks and Red Spyda, with Ky-Mani serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Louie Rankin, Gail Gotti, Maintain, Mýa, Tessanne Chin and Young Buck.
CrazyNDaLazDayz is the only studio album by American hip hop trio Tear da Club Up Thugs, consisting of DJ Paul, Lord Infamous and Juicy J from Three 6 Mafia. It was released on February 2, 1999, via Relativity and DJ Paul & Juicy J’s Hypnotize Minds. Recording sessions took place at Cotton Row Recording Studio and Hypnotize Minds Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. It features guest appearances from the Hot Boys, the Big Tymers, Crucial Conflict, Hussein Fatal, Spice 1, The Kaze, Too $hort and Twista. The album spawned two singles: "Push 'Em Off" and "Hypnotize Cash Money". The latter peaked at #74 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #64 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the United States.
M.C. Breed & DFC. is the collaborative studio album by American recording artist MC Breed and hip hop duo DFC from Flint, Michigan. It was released on August 13, 1991 through S.D.E.G. Records with distribution via Ichiban Records. Production was handled by MC Breed, Herman Lang and S. Harris with executive producers Tim Brown and Leroy McMath. The album found some success on the Billboard charts, peaking at #142 on the Billboard 200, #38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #3 on the Top Heatseekers.
"I'll Be" is a song recorded by American rapper Foxy Brown for her debut studio album, Ill Na Na (1996), featuring Brooklyn-based rapper Jay-Z. It was released as the second single from the album on March 4, 1997, by Violator and Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Shawn Carter, Jean-Claude Olivier, Samuel Barnes, Angela Winbush, René Moore, Bobby Watson and Bruce Swedien with production by Trackmasters, and samples René & Angela's 1985 song "I'll Be Good". It was recorded at Chung King Studios in New York City, while the mixing of the track was finished at The Hit Factory. "I'll Be" is a hip hop and R&B song with explicit lyrics that revolve around sex and money.
Child of the Ghetto is the debut studio album by American rapper G. Dep. It was released on November 20, 2001, through Bad Boy Entertainment/Arista Records.
Pimpin' on Wax is the debut solo studio album by American rapper JT Money. It was released on May 25, 1999, through Priority Records. Production was handled by Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Christoper "Tricky" Stewart, Dallas Austin and JT Money himself. It features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Big Gipp, Evil, Solé, Too Short and Trick Daddy.
"Just Another Case" is song by American hip hop group Cru featuring a verse from Slick Rick. It was released on June 17, 1997, through Violator/Def Jam Recordings as the lead single from their debut album Da Dirty 30. Recording sessions took place at Animation Sound in New York City. Production was handled by member Yogi Bear, who used a sample of "The World Is a Place" performed by Rhythm, an interpolation of "Everybody Plays the Fool" performed by The Main Ingredient, and a sample of "Children's Story" performed by Slick Rick.
The discography of Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj consists of five studio albums, one compilation album, three mixtapes, 136 singles, and 20 promotional singles.
Rick Rock Presents Federation: The Album is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Federation. It was released on October 5, 2004 via Virgin Records, and was entirely produced by Rick Rock. It also features guest appearances from Daz Dillinger, E-40, and Twista among others. Despite being released for a major label, The album was poorly promoted and was a commercial failure, just managing to reach the bottom of the US Billboard 200 at number 200. The album's two singles, "Hyphy" and "Go Dumb", also failed to find much success, only reaching 88 and 95 respectively on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The Imperial is the only studio album by American hip hop group Flipmode Squad. It was released on September 1, 1998, via Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by DJ Scratch, Busta Rhymes, Da Beatminerz, L.E.S., M.D., Rockwilder, Swizz Beatz and Tony Touch. It features guest appearance from Buckshot on the sequel track of off Enta da Stage.
2:35 PM is the second studio album American singer-songwriter Calvin Richardson. It was released on September 16, 2003 via Hollywood Records. Production was handled by Raphael Saadiq, Slum Village, Darren Lighty, DJ Eddie F, Jake & Trev, Mike City and The Underdogs, with co-producers Jake and the Phatman and Jon Lind serving as additional producer. It features a guest appearance from Slum Village. The album debuted at number 65 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. None of its singles reach the Billboard Hot 100, however, the song "Keep On Pushin'" made it to number No. 20 on the Adult R&B Airplay and "Not Like This" peaked at No. 36 on the Adult R&B Airplay.
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