Shut 'Em Down is the third album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on June 2, 1998, by JMJ Records and Def Jam. The album was produced by Keith Horne and Self, with help from DJ Scratch of EPMD, Bud'da and Latief. The album features guest appearances from Onyx's affiliate X1, DMX, a then-unknown 50 Cent, Still Livin from Gang Green, All City, Mr. Cheeks, Wu-Tang Clan, N.O.R.E., Big Pun and others.
"Why Don't We Fall in Love" is a song written and produced by Rich Harrison for American R&B singer Amerie's debut album, All I Have (2002). Released as the album's lead single in the United Kingdom in October 2001 and in the United States in July 2002. After being sent to US Urban/Urban AC, Top 40 and Rhythmic radio in April 2002, the song reached number twenty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top ten hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It performed moderately elsewhere, peaking at number forty in the United Kingdom and number seventy-three in Australia. The song is also used for the promo of the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. It is also one of the songs used in the American version of Donkey Konga 2. Part of the lyrics, along with the background music, was sampled in the song "Rule the World" by 2 Chainz and Ariana Grande and No Fake Love by Queen Naija and YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
"Just Don't Give a Fuck" is the debut single by American rapper Eminem. The original version appears as the only single on his only EP, the Slim Shady EP. A re-recorded version appears on his major-label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. According to the book Angry Blonde, this was Eminem's first "real" song, and was when he first came up with the "Slim Shady" theme.
"Truth Is" is the first single released by Fantasia from her debut album, Free Yourself. The song peaked at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and had great success on the US R&B 100 chart, peaking at number two and setting a record for the longest stay at number one for a female artist on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, with fourteen consecutive weeks. In 2006, Truth Is, along with "Free Yourself", won an ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop award.
"Lighters Up" is a single written and recorded by rapper Lil' Kim appearing as the first single off her fourth album, The Naked Truth. It was produced by her ex-boyfriend, record producer Scott Storch. The song has a similar tone to Damian Marley's Welcome to Jamrock. It was released on August 30, 2005. The album was originally due to be released September 13, but was delayed until September 27 because Queen Bee Entertainment felt that sales would not hold with the single "Lighters Up". The single debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100, then quickly climbed up to number 31. The single had a moderate chart performance in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Whoa" is the second single from the album The Naked Truth by rapper Lil' Kim which is produced by J.R. Rotem. "Whoa" never made it to the Billboard Hot 100 but charted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for five weeks peaking at number 4. Also, the single made it to the R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 30. Originally sent to US radio on November 22, 2005, it was then re-released in February to coincide with the airing of her reality show, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, for which it served as the theme song. It was released in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2006.
"The Jump Off" is a song by American rapper Lil' Kim featuring rapper Mr. Cheeks and Timbaland, who produced the track. It was released by Atlantic Records on February 10, 2003 as the lead single from her third studio album La Bella Mafia (2003).
"I Wanna Be Down" is the debut single of American recording artist Brandy from her self-titled debut album (1994). It was written by musicians Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, with production helmed by the former, it was released on September 5, 1994, by the Atlantic Recording Corporation. The song is a mid-tempo track that features a thunderous beat and light synth riffs. Lyrically, "I Wanna Be Down" describes a flirt with a boy, who Norwood tries to convince of her loveliness.
"Headsprung" is a song by American hip hop artist LL Cool J. It was released on June 7, 2004 as the lead single from his eleventh album, The DEFinition. The song was a success on the charts, it peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 4 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Living All Alone is the seventh album by American soul singer-songwriter Phyllis Hyman. It was released by Philadelphia International Records in 1986. The album contains the title track, which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and has become one of Hyman's most well-known hits.
The Giancana Story is the third solo album by American rapper Kool G Rap, released by Koch Records on November 26, 2002. Its producers included Bink, Buckwild, Jaz-O, Knobody, Rockwilder and V.I.C., while AZ, Capone-N-Noreaga, Havoc, Joell Ortiz and Prodigy were amongst the guest vocalists.
G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 is the debut studio album by American singer Nate Dogg. Vol. 1 of the album was originally released through Death Row Records in January 1997, but was taken off the market a week after its release due to legal problems at Death Row Records. It was then rereleased as a two volume set by Breakaway Entertainment in the summer of 1998. The first volume was recorded during his tenure at Death Row Records, while the second volume was recorded after. The album only managed to make it to number 58 on the Billboard 200 and number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album did produce four singles with two top 40 singles, however, "Never Leave Me Alone", which was released on October 22, 1996, through Death Row Records and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Wanna Get to Know You" is a song recorded by G-Unit. It was released in January 2004 through Interscope Records and 50 Cent's G-Unit Records as the third single from their 2003 debut album, Beg for Mercy.
"No Time" is the debut single by American rapper Lil' Kim featuring Puff Daddy. It was released as the lead single for her debut album Hard Core in October 1996. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached the top ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and peaked the US Rap Songs for nine weeks—becoming Kim's first number one hit on the chart. Additionally, the song charted at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. "No Time" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and contains a sample of Vicki Anderson's "Message from the Soul Sisters" and Lyn Collins's "Take Me Just As I Am."
Nicholas J. Martinelli is an American R&B and pop record producer. During the 1980s he worked with many R&B and pop music artists, some of them based in the UK. Acts he has worked with include Loose Ends, Phyllis Hyman, Five Star, Stephanie Mills and Regina Belle.
"Love Me" is the lead single from American R&B group 112 from their second studio album, Room 112 and features vocals from rapper Mase. Q and Mike share lead vocals on the song, with Slim providing adlibs. It peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached number eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. A music video directed by Frosty for the song was made, featuring the group and Mase performing in a white background. The song contains a sample of the 1981 record, "Don't You Know That?" by recording artist Luther Vandross from his debut album, Never Too Much. In the song, Mase takes a supposed shot at rapper Jay-Z on this song with the line "What we hear is platinum that, platinum this/Platinum whips, nobody got no platinum hits".
"Don't Wanna Be a Player" is a song by the American R&B singer Joe. It was written by Joe, Japhe Tejeda, Jolyon Skinner, Michele Williams and Rodney Jerkins, and produced by the latter for Joe's second studio album All That I Am (1997). Released as a single from the Booty Call (1997) soundtrack as well as All That I Am's second single, it reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Joe's second top ten hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reaching number five. In the United Kingdom, "Don't Wanna Be a Player" peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, ranking among his highest-charting singles there.
"Get None" is the debut single by American R&B singer Tamar Braxton. It is the opening track on her eponymous debut studio album and was issued as the album's first single. The song features raps from American hip hop musicians Jermaine Dupri and Amil and uncredited background vocals performed by Mýa. Mýa originally recorded her own version for her album Fear of Flying, but it didn't make it onto the album. It peaked at #59 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1999.
"This Way" is a song by American hip hop group Dilated Peoples features fellow American rapper and record producer Kanye West. It was released on April 12, 2004 via Parlophone and Capitol Records as the second single from the group's fourth studio album Neighborhood Watch. Produced by West, it utilises a sample from "Old Men" by Jimmie & Vella Cameron.
Old Friend: The Deluxe Collection 1976–1998 is a posthumous compilation album by singer Phyllis Hyman, released in 2021. The box set contains 9 CDs, featuring all of her studio albums as well as bonus material recorded over the course of her career.
