The Chronic is the debut studio album by American hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre. It was released on December 15, 1992, by his own record label Death Row Records and distributed by Interscope Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in June 1992 at Death Row Studios in Los Angeles and at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood. The album is named after a slang term for high-grade cannabis, and its cover is an homage to Zig-Zag rolling papers. It was Dr. Dre's first solo album after he had departed from hip hop group N.W.A and its label Ruthless Records over a financial dispute.
My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997, by LaFace Records in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".
Lost and Found is the fourth studio album by American actor and rapper Will Smith. It was released on March 29, 2005, by Interscope Records. The album reached number 6 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, making this Smith's third overall top ten album following Willennium in 1999 and his second gold-selling album following Born to Reign in 2002. The album also reached the top 20 on the UK Albums Chart. "Switch" and "Party Starter" were released as singles. It is Smith's most recent album to date.
Bow Down is the debut studio album by American West Coast hip hop supergroup Westside Connection. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Priority Records. 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. 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.
Joe Budden is the eponymous 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.
Black Pearl is the second studio album by American rapper Yo-Yo. It was released on June 23, 1992 through EastWest Records America/Atlantic. Production was handled by DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Down Low Productions, DJ Muggs, Rashad Coes and DJ Bobcat, with Ice Cube serving as executive producer. The album peaked at number 145 on the Billboard 200 and number 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Paid the Cost is the only studio album by American rap duo Penthouse Players Clique. It was released on April 28, 1992 via Ruthless and Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Skip Saylor Recording Studio A in Los Angeles with additional recording at Audio Achievements in Torrance, California. Production was mostly handled by DJ Quik, except for two tracks were produced by Penthouse Players Clique and DJ Battlecat. The album was a success for the group, making it to #76 on the Billboard 200, #28 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #1 on the Heatseekers Albums charts. Three singles were released, "Explanation of a Playa", "Trust No Bitch" and "P.S. Phuk U 2", however only "Explanation of a Playa" would make it to the billboard charts. This would mark the duos only album as they would disband only a year later.
Michel'le is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer Michel'le. It was released on October 23, 1989, on Ruthless Records, Atco Records and Atlantic Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre of N.W.A. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America five weeks after its release.
Funhouse is the second and penultimate album by American hip hop duo Kid 'n Play. It was released on March 13, 1990, through Select Records. Recording sessions took place at Bayside Sound Recording Studio and at Soundcheck Studio in New York. Production was handled by Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor and the Invincibles. It features the lone guest appearance from Salt-N-Pepa.
Physical Funk is the second studio album by American rapper Domino. It was released on June 11, 1996 through Outburst Records. Production was handled by Domino himself, with Anthony "Anti" Lewis and Greedy Greg serving as executive producers.
Murs for President is the sixth studio album by American emcee MURS. The album was released on September 30, 2008 under Warner Bros. Records, making this his only album to date to be released under a major label.
A Love Story is the debut studio album by American singer Vivian Green. It was released by Columbia Records on November 12, 2002 in the United States. Green worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Anthony Bell, Junius Bervine, Durrell Bottoms, Jamar Jones, Fred Kenney, Osunlade, and Thaddeus Tribbett II. The album debuted at 93 on the US Billboard 200 in December 2002 and later peaked at number 51, also reaching number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Careless World: Rise of the Last King is the second studio album by American rapper Tyga. It is his first album under a major label after his independent release, No Introduction. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2012 and was handled by Jess Jackson, Arthur McArthur, Pharrell Williams, Boi-1da, and Noah "40" Shebib, among others. The album was released on February 21, 2012, on Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Republic Records. The album endured several release dates due to sampling credits, and experienced a limited release in retail stores due to an uncredited use of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop", which was his last speech before he was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. Despite the limited release, the album received strong digital downloads, and debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 61,000 copies in its first week. The album has received generally positive reviews from music critics upon release.
"Getto Jam" is a song performed by American rapper Domino. It was released on November 16, 1993 through Outburst Records as the lead single from his debut studio album Domino. Written by Domino and DJ Battlecat, it was recorded at Skip Saylor in Hollywood and produced by Battlecat with co-production from Domino.
Rhapsody is the second solo studio album by American rapper Mr. Mike. It was released on September 7, 1999 through Priority Records. Production was handled by DJ Battlecat, Dah Dah, Mike B., Gerardo Hernandez, Fredwreck, and Mr. Mike himself. It features guest appearances from Napp-1, Mack 10, Ras Kass and Jennifer Brumfield. The album peaked at number 172 on the Billboard 200 and number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its lead single, "Texas 2000", reached #93 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #13 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Informal Introduction is the debut studio album by American rapper Shade Sheist. It was released on September 10, 2002, through MCA Records. Recording sessions took place at Larrabee Studios, at Soundcastle, at Skip Saylor Recording, and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Damizza, Eddie Berkeley, KayGee, DJ Quik, Howie Hersh and Timbaland. It features guest appearances from Nate Dogg, AMG, DJ Clue, Fabolous, Hi-C, Knoc-turn'al, Kurupt, Vita and Warren G among others.
#1 Girl is the debut studio album by American boy band Mindless Behavior. It was released on September 20, 2011, by Interscope Records and Streamline. The album debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 36,000 copies in the United States. To date, the album has sold 290,000 copies, and spinning its sales for more than 5.5 million ringtones and it contains with these singles that has sold 845,000 copies, while it had ranked over 160 million views via YouTube.
Belly is the soundtrack to Hype Williams' 1998 film Belly. It was released on November 3, 1998, through Def Jam Recordings and featured production from the likes of Poke & Tone, Dame Grease, Sean Combs and Swizz Beatz. The soundtrack was a success, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned the single "Grand Finale" by rappers DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man and Nas. "Grand Finale" made it to #63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #18 on the Hot Rap Songs. Four music video singles were released for "Grand Finale", "What About", "Movin' Out" and "Tommy's Theme".
Victory Lap is the debut studio album by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on February 16, 2018 through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. It was Nipsey Hussle's first major commercial release after releasing a string of mixtapes for thirteen years as well as the only full-length album released during his lifetime. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units; it reached a new peak of number two in April 2019, following Hussle's death. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.
Love Season is the debut studio album by jazz pianist Alex Bugnon. It was released in 1988 through Orpheus Records. Recording sessions took place at Presence Studios in East Haven, Connecticut, at Unique Studios, 39th Street Music Studio and Rawlston Recording Studio in New York City. The production was handled by Rahni Song, Poogie Bell and Victor Bailey with executive producer Beau Huggins. The album spawned three singles: "Piano in the Dark", "Going Out" and "Yearning for Your Love".
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