The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse is the seventh studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 12, 2002 by Roc-A-Fella Records and Island Def Jam Music Group as a double album. 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.
American Gangster is the tenth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was conceived as a concept album—inspired by the 2007 film of the same name—and was released on November 6 of that year through Roc-A-Fella Records. The album features production from Diddy & the Hitmen, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Just Blaze, Danja and the Neptunes, among others. It also includes guest appearances by Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, and Nas. The album's production is built around 1970s soul and funk, with instruments featured on the album played by professional musicians including, horns, string arrangements, drummers, and unconventional percussion created with bottles. The album's theme is based around the gangster lifestyle, the American Dream, and Jay-Z's memories of growing up in Brooklyn, New York's Marcy.
Random Axe is the only studio album from the American hip hop group Random Axe, released June 14, 2011, on Duck Down Music Inc. The group was composed of hip hop producer Black Milk and rappers Guilty Simpson and the late Sean Price. The album was produced entirely by Black Milk and features guest contributions from Roc Marciano, Danny Brown, Fat Ray, Melanie Rutherford, Rock, Trick Trick, and Fatt Father.
Rahkeim Calief Meyer, better known by his stage name Roc Marciano, is an American rapper and record producer from Long Island, New York. He is known for his intricate internal rhymes and wordplay detailing mafioso and pimp themes over sample based production. He has been called the "Godfather of the Underground" for pioneering the resurgence of gritty, lyrical rap and use of drumless sample loops in the early 2010s with his highly influential debut album Marcberg.
Vodka & Ayahuasca is the second full-length studio album by American hip hop duo Gangrene. It was released on January 1, 2012, through Decon. Production was handled by members Oh No and Alchemist. It features guest appearances from Evidence, Kool G Rap, Prodigy, Roc C and Roc Marciano.
Reloaded is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Roc Marciano, released on November 13, 2012, by Decon. Marciano produced most of the album and was assisted by The Alchemist, Ray West, Q-Tip, and The Arch Druids. The album features guest contributions by rappers KA and Knowledge the Pirate.
Marci Beaucoup is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Roc Marciano, released on December 10, 2013 under Man Bites Dog Records. A month prior to its release, the album was preceded by The Pimpire Strikes Back, a mixtape which serves as its precursor.
Kaseem Ryan, better known by his stage name Ka, was an American rapper, producer, and firefighter from Brooklyn, New York City. His solo work achieved critical acclaim, and he was often noted for his focused concept albums, skilled lyricism, and hushed vocal delivery.
The Night's Gambit is the third solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Kaseem "Ka" Ryan. It was released on July 13, 2013 via Iron Works Records. It was recorded at The End, and produced entirely by Ka himself. The album features sole guest appearance from Roc Marciano.
Rosebudd's Revenge is the fourth studio album by Roc Marciano. It was released on February 21, 2017 by Marci Enterprises. The album was produced by The Arch Druids, Mushroom Jesus, Modus Op, Knxwledge, Animoss and Roc Marciano. Features guest appearances by his frequent collaborators Ka and Knowledge the Pirate.
Honor Killed the Samurai is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Ka. It was released on August 13, 2016 via Iron Works Records. It was recorded at The End, and produced entirely by Ka himself.
Days with Dr. Yen Lo is a full-length studio rap album by the duo Dr. Yen Lo – Ka and DJ Preservation. The pair recorded the album at The End in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, where it was released on May 16, 2015 via Pavlov Institute Records. The album was produced by Preservation with Tim Fodness as co-producer. The group's name, as well as the album title, were inspired by Khigh Dhiegh's character Dr. Yen Lo from John Frankenheimer's 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate.
Orpheus vs. the Sirens is a studio album by Brownsville rapper Ka and Los Angeles producer Animoss, together known as Hermit and the Recluse. It was released on August 18, 2018 via Obol for Charon Records. Recording sessions took place at Seaside Lounge in Brooklyn. Production was handled entirely by Animoss. It features a single guest appearance from Citizen Cope.
Burden of Proof is the second studio album by American rapper Benny the Butcher. It was released on October 16, 2020, through Griselda/Empire. Produced entirely by Hit-Boy, it features guest appearances from Big Sean, Conway the Machine, Dom Kennedy, Freddie Gibbs, Lil Wayne, Queen Naija, Rick Ross and Westside Gunn. The album was acclaimed by critics and debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200 with about 19,000 equivalent album units.
Anime, Trauma and Divorce is the seventh solo studio album by American rapper Open Mike Eagle. It was released on October 16, 2020 through Auto Reverse Records. Production was handled by Caleb Stone, Frank Leone, Loden, Black Milk, Gold Panda and Nedarb, with Jacknife Lee and Open Mike Eagle serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Lil A$e, Kari Faux and Video Dave.
The Witness is a 2021 album by Canadian rock band Suuns, released on September 3, 2021, by Joyful Noise Recordings and Secret City Records. The album was recorded from December 2019 through September 2020 at Breakglass Studios, with additional tracking at Studio Toute Garnie, both in Montreal.
A Martyr's Reward is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Kaseem "Ka" Ryan. It was released on August 13, 2021 through Iron Works Records. Production was handled by Ka himself, DJ Preservation and Navy Blue. It features guest appearances from Joi and Navy Blue.
Deathfame is a solo studio album by American rapper and producer Quelle Chris. It was released via Mello Music Group on May 13, 2022. Production was handled by Chris Keys, Knxwledge, and Quelle Chris himself. It features guest appearances from Cavalier, Denmark Vessey, J Jig Cicero, MoRuf, Navy Blue, and Pink Siifu.
The Elephant Man's Bones is the first full-length collaborative studio album by American rappers and record producers Roc Marciano and The Alchemist. It was released on August 26, 2022, through Pimpire/ALC Records. Produced entirely by the Alchemist, it features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Boldy James, Ice-T and Knowledge the Pirate. The album was supported by its lead single "Deja Vu" with accompanying music video. A music video was also directed for the song "The Horns of Abraxas". The Elephant Man's Bones received universal acclaim from critics.
Marciology is the tenth studio album by American rapper and producer Roc Marciano released on March 29th, 2024 through Pimpire Records and Marci Enterprises. The album marks his first solo release in four years since 2020's Mt. Marci. It was proceeded by one single, "Gold Crossbow", which was released on March 21st. Production was handled primary by Marciano himself with additional production from Animoss and The Alchemist. The album contains guest appearances from Larry June, Crimeapple, T.F, Flee Lord, Jay Worthy, Knowledge the Pirate, and GREA8GAWD. Marciology received positive reviews from critics, noting it's eerie, neo-noir inspired soundscapes and sharp, witty rhymes.
