The Cactus Al/Bum is the debut album by hip hop trio 3rd Bass, released on Def Jam Recordings on November 14, 1989. The album received positive reviews from the hip hop press and is also notable for featuring the recording debut of rapper Zev Love X of KMD, later known as MF Doom, on "The Gas Face". It was certified gold by the RIAA on April 24, 1990.
Derelicts of Dialect is the second and final studio album by New York hip hop trio 3rd Bass. It was released on June 14, 1991, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Greene St. Recording and Calliope Studios in New York City from October 1990 to May 1991. The production was handled mostly by 3rd Bass themselves, along with Prince Paul, Sam Sever of Downtown Science, John Gamble, Dante Ross and Geeby Dajani of Stimulated Dummies, and KMD. It features guest appearances from Chubb Rock, KMD, Nice & Smooth.
Quality is the first studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.
Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.
Ernest Dion Wilson, professionally known as No I.D., is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"; all of which have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Naeem Juwan Hanks, better known by his stage name Spank Rock, is an American rapper and songwriter from Baltimore. He rose to fame with his 2006 album YoYoYoYoYo, which was produced by former group member Alex Epton (XXXChange). A harbinger of post-millennial alternative rap, the duo became known for its mixing of disparate hip hop and club genres, including Baltimore club, Miami bass, electro music and rock.
Downtown Science was an American hip-hop duo composed of rapper/producer Kenneth "Bosco Money" Carabello and producer Sam "Sever" Citrin.
Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".
Back in Business is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. It was released on September 16, 1997, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by members Erick Sermon and PMD, as well as DJ Scratch, with Agallah and Rockwilder serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Das EFX, Keith Murray, Nocturnal and Redman.
Out of Business is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. The album was originally scheduled for a December 1998 release under Def Jam Recordings, but had been delayed numerous times as a result of a merger between Seagram's PolyGram and Universal Music Group's MCA Records, combining Def Jam and Island Records' operations together under the Island Def Jam Music Group. Ultimately, the album was released on July 20, 1999. It is the first official Def Jam album released under the newly-formed Island Def Jam Music Group and the group's last album released under the label as they left the imprint a year later before going inactive for the second time.
The Untold Truth is the only studio album by American rap duo Illegal, composed of rappers Jamal and Mr. Malik. It was released on August 24, 1993, through Rowdy Records with distribution via Arista Records. The recording sessions took place from late Fall 1992 to mid-Summer 1993 at D.A.R.P. Studios in Atlanta, at Soundtrack Studios in New York City, and at BMV Digital Studios in Newark. The album was produced by Dallas Austin, Diamond D, Erick Sermon, Biz Markie, and Lord Finesse, among others.
Diplomatic Immunity is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Diplomats, released via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's Diplomats Records.
Love/Hate is the debut album by American musician The-Dream. It was released on December 11, 2007, by Def Jam Recordings and Radio Killa Records during his emergence as a prominent songwriter-producer in R&B and pop music.
Dust to Dust is a studio album by former 3rd Bass members Prime Minister Pete Nice and Daddy Rich. It was released on April 27, 1993, via Def Jam Recordings/Columbia Records/Sony Music Entertainment, a year after the breakup of 3rd Bass. The album features numerous disses towards their former bandmate MC Serch. The recording sessions took place in New York at Rampant Recording Studio, Chung King Studios, and LGK Studios. Production was handled by Pete Nice, DJ Richie Rich, The Beatnuts, KMD, and Sam Sever of Downtown Science.
U.S.A. is the only studio album by American horrorcore trio Flatlinerz. It was released on September 6, 1994, via Def Jam Recordings. The recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Next Level Studios, and Greene St. Recording, in New York. The album was produced by Tempest, Rockwilder, Crush, DR Period, and Kool Tee, with Kenny Lee and Russell Simmons serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Gravemen, Kool Tee, Mayhem, Omen, Rockwilder, and the Headless Horsemen.
Blah, Blah, Blah is the debut studio album by American Brooklyn-based hip hop duo Blahzay Blahzay. It was released on August 13, 1996, on Fader/Mercury/PolyGram Records. The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and at Firehouse Studio, in New York. The album was produced by the duo.
Daddy's Little Girl is the only studio album by American rapper Nikki D. It was released on September 3, 1991 through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios, Chung King Studios, Greene St. Recording, Libra Digital Sound, Marathon Studios and Island Media Studios in New York. Production was handled by S.I.D. Reynolds, Leaders of the New School, The Epitome of Scratch, Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, Smooth Ice, Prince Paul and Sam Sever. The album reached number 54 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums; while its eponymous lead single reached No. 10 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales and No. 1 on the Hot Rap Singles.
Murder Inc. Records, LLC, also abbreviated as The Inc. Records, is an American record label founded by brothers Chris and Irv Gotti in 1998. The label's flagship artist was Ja Rule. According to Chris Gotti, Murder Inc. had sold over 30 million units worldwide and grossed over $500 million. Murder Inc. was headquartered at One Worldwide Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, while their main studio was The Crackhouse, also located in New York City.
Ruff Ryders Entertainment is an American hip hop record label and management company founded by siblings and record executives Joaquin "Waah", Darrin "Dee" and Chivon Dean in 1988. It operated as a subsidiary of Universal, and distributed by Interscope Records, with Def Jam Recordings serving as the distributor for DMX albums. The label went on to launch the careers of several successful artists such as DMX, Eve, The LOX, Drag-On, MC Jin, producers Dame Grease and the Deans' nephew, Swizz Beatz among others. The Ruff Ryders namesake also referred to a loose-knit hip hop collective composed of the core signees of the label. Ruff Ryders and its main studio Powerhouse Studios are headquartered at 33 South Broadway in Yonkers, New York.
Zulu Man with Some Power is the third studio album by South African rapper Nasty C. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Universal Music Group on August 28, 2020. The album features several American artists, Ari Lennox, T.I., Lil Keed and Lil Gotit.
