"If I Ain't Got You" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Inspired by the 2001 death of singer Aaliyah, the September 11 attacks, and other events in the world and in Keys' life, the song is about "how material things don't feed the soul". It was released as the second single from The Diary of Alicia Keys on February 17, 2004, by J Records. The single cover depicts Keys similarly to the subject of Man Ray's 1924 photograph Le Violon d'Ingres.
"What You Know" is a song by American rapper T.I., released as the lead single from his fourth studio album King (2006). The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA following shipment in excess of two million copies.
"Bag Lady" is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for her second studio album Mama's Gun (2000). Written by Badu and Isaac Hayes, the song is about a woman who is trying to begin a new relationship but has too much emotional baggage and can't get close to anyone. The song's message is to "pack light" and have hope for the future. It was released as the lead single from Mama's Gun on August 8, 2000, by Motown Records.
"U Don't Know Me" is a song by American hip hop recording artist T.I., released on January 11, 2005, as the second single from his third studio album, Urban Legend (2004). The single peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song appears in the video game Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition.
"Everything Is Everything" is a song recorded by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written by Hill and Johari Newton, and produced by Hill. During the recording sessions, Hill wanted to write about injustice and struggles amongst youth communities in inner city areas of the United States. The song contains R&B, 1960s soul, and hip hop influences. It marked the first commercial appearance of singer and pianist John Legend, who was 19 years old when he played the piano on the song. The song was released as the third and final single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on May 3, 1999, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records.
"Every Time I Close My Eyes" is a song written, produced and performed by American musician Babyface. It was released as the second single from his fourth album, The Day (1996). Mariah Carey performs the backing vocals, after Babyface did the same for her on "Melt Away", a track written by both, included on her 1995 album Daydream. It also has a participation by Kenny G playing saxophone. An alternate version without Carey's vocals and additional sax elements is included on Kenny G's The Moment (1996).
American singer and songwriter Jazmine Sullivan has released four studio albums and 15 singles. Sullivan signed a record deal with J Records in 2008, and released her debut album Fearless in 2008. The album was immediately certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America while debuting at number one. Fearless has spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums since its US release. The album's first single, "Need U Bad", also reached number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her first number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The second single, "Bust Your Windows", was released in September 2008 and reached the charts in the US and the UK. It also became her second top forty in the US. "Lions, Tigers & Bears" was released as the third single off the album in late 2008 and became her third top ten in the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the US. In 2009, it was confirmed Jazmine would open for American singer Ne-Yo's tour. In February that same year, she released the fourth and final single, "Dream Big".
"Adorn" is a song written and recorded by American singer and songwriter Miguel. It was released as the lead single from his 2012 studio album Kaleidoscope Dream. The recording was produced by Miguel, who was inspired by his girlfriend and a series of dreams he had prior to writing the song.
"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The hip hop song features Canadian rapper Drake and American rappers Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Nikhil S. and Noah "40" Shebib. It was released for digital download in the United States on May 20, 2011. Remixes and freestyles were released from rappers such as Tyga, Meek Mill, Jamie Drastik, including other rappers.
"The Worst" is a song by American recording artist Jhené Aiko released on her debut EP Sail Out (2013). The song was released as its second official single and serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio on January 14, 2014, through ARTium and Def Jam Recordings. "The Worst" was written by Aiko, Myron Birdsong and produced by Fisticuffs. The song offers a sample of the 2003 single "Excuse Me Miss" by Jay-Z.
"Planez" is a song by American singer Jeremih from his third studio album, Late Nights (2015). It features American rapper J. Cole, and was released on January 2015 as the second single from the album. It interpolates "Put It in Your Mouth" by Akinyele. The original version of the song featured a verse from fellow Chicago native Chance the Rapper. "Planez" garnered mixed reviews from critics, praising Jeremih's performance but criticized J. Cole's guest verse. The track peaked at numbers 15 and 44 on both the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot 100 charts respectively. It was also certified 5x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The single garnered Jeremih's first career Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
"Bounce Back " is a song by American rapper Big Sean, serving as the lead single from his fourth album, I Decided (2017). The song was produced by Hitmaka and Smash David, with additional production by Metro Boomin and Amaire Johnson. It features additional vocals from label boss Kanye West and American singer Jeremih. It also has the subtitle "Take No L's", which is featured on the single's cover. This song was released on October 31, 2016. The single received a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
Ella Mai Howell is an English R&B singer-songwriter. Her musical career began at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of The X Factor. In 2015, she released her debut four-track solo extended play (EP), Troubled in October of that year. The EP and her performances on social media were discovered by American record producer DJ Mustard, who signed Mai to his record label 10 Summers Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.
"Bodak Yellow" (alternatively titled "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)") is the major-label debut single by American rapper Cardi B. It was written alongside Pardison Fontaine, Klenord Raphael, and producers J. White Did It and Laquan Green, with an additional writing credit going to Kodak Black for the interpolation of his song "No Flockin". It was released on June 16, 2017, by Atlantic Records as the lead single from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018).
Summer Marjani Walker is an American R&B singer. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she signed with the local record label Love Renaissance, an imprint of Interscope Records in late 2017. The following year, she released her debut commercial mixtape Last Day of Summer (2018), supported by its lead single, "Girls Need Love." The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned a remix featuring Canadian rapper Drake. Her debut studio album, Over It (2019) was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 chart—briefly breaking the record for the biggest debut streaming week for a female R&B artist—and receiving double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
"Suge" (also known as "Suge (Yea Yea)") is the breakthrough hit by American rapper DaBaby, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Baby on Baby on April 23, 2019. It reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song's title is a reference to former music executive Suge Knight. It was produced by JetsonMade and Pooh Beatz. The song was later nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. "Suge" was ranked as the 2nd best song of 2019 by Complex, and the 12th best by Billboard.
"Best on Earth" is a song by American rapper Russ featuring rapper Bia. It was released as the fourth single from Russ's fourteenth studio album Shake the Snow Globe (2020) on October 17, 2019. The song was produced by Boi-1da and Jahaan Sweet, and samples "Some Cut" The Lil Jon produced single by American hip hop group Trillville.
"B.S." is a song recorded by American singer Jhené Aiko featuring fellow American singer H.E.R., released on March 6, 2020 as a single from the former's third studio album Chilombo (2020). The song was written by the artists alongside Big Sean and producers the Fisticuffs. An animated music video for the song premiered in May 2020. A remix of the song featuring Kehlani, was included on the deluxe edition of Chilombo, which was released on July 17, 2020. The vinyl version of the remix features an originally intended verse by Kehlani.
Nova Wav is a record production and songwriting duo composed of Brittany "Chi" Coney and Denisia "Blu June" Andrews. Over the course of their career, Nova Wav has written and produced on tracks and albums for artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Saweetie, Nicki Minaj, Teyana Taylor, Kehlani and more. They were signed to Warner Chappell Music by Ryan Press and "Big Jon" Platt. They were named Billboards 2018 R&B/Hip-Hop 100 Power Players and listed on Revolt's Top 9 producers of 2019 that demanded the sound of Hip Hop and R&B.
Back of My Mind is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter H.E.R. It was released on June 18, 2021, through RCA. The album features guest performances from YG, Lil Baby, Ty Dolla Sign, Yung Bleu, Cordae, DJ Khaled, Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown. The music was written and produced with a host of musicians, including Mike Will Made-It, Hit-Boy, Tiara Thomas, Kaytranada, Thundercat and Darkchild, amongst others.
