Reasonable Doubt is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by his own record label Roc-A-Fella Records and distributed by Priority Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and also includes guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O, and the Notorious B.I.G., among others. The album features mafioso rap themes and gritty lyrics about the "hustler" lifestyle and material obsessions.
2Pacalypse Now is the debut solo studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It was released on November 12, 1991, through TNT Recordings and Interscope Records. The recording sessions took place at Starlight Sound Studio in Richmond, California. The album was produced by the Digital Underground production team the Underground Railroad, made up of Big D the Impossible, Shock G, Pee-Wee, DJ Jay-Z, Raw Fusion, and Live Squad. It features contributions from Stretch, Angelique, Dave Hollister, Pogo, Poppi, Ray Luv and Shock G among others. The album's title is a reference to the 1979 war film Apocalypse Now.
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.
"Guess Who's Back" is a song by American rapper Scarface featuring American rappers Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. It is the lead single from Scarface's seventh studio album The Fix (2002). The song was produced by Kanye West, who also provides uncredited vocals, and contains a sample of "Sunrise" by The Originals.
Graduation is the third studio album by the American rapper Kanye West released on September 11, 2007, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place between 2005 and 2007 at several studios in New York and Los Angeles. It was primarily produced by West himself, with contributions from various other producers, including DJ Toomp. The album features guest appearances from recording artists such as Dwele, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, DJ Premier, and Chris Martin. The cover art and its interior artwork were designed by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.
Sons of the P is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground. It was released on October 15, 1991, via Tommy Boy Records. Main recording sessions took place at Starlight Sound in Richmond, with additional recordings done at Unique Recording Studios in New York, Axiom Recorders in Tampa and The Disc Ltd. in Detroit. Production was handled by D.U. in-house production team credited as The Underground Production Squad, with Atron Gregory and member Shock G serving as executive producers. It features contributions from George Clinton, Stretch and Treach.
The Fix is the seventh studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on August 6, 2002. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, with well over 160,000 copies sold in its 1st week. Guest artists on the album include Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Faith Evans, and WC. Producers include Mike Dean, Kanye West, Tony Pizarro, Nottz, and The Neptunes. Upon release, The Fix was met with critical acclaim.
Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992, through Elektra Records. The recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal, and at The Hit Factory in New York. The album was produced by Grand Puba, Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri, and the Brand New Heavies.
Headz or Tailz is the second studio album by American hip hop group Do Or Die. It was released on April 7, 1998, via Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records. Recording sessions took place at Hippie House Studios and Knock Hard Studio in Houston and at Creator's Way Studios in Chicago. Production was handled by the Legendary Traxster, Mr. Lee and Mike Dean, with J. Prince serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Danny Boy, Johnny P., Beyond Content, Bushwick Bill, Chilla, Scarface, Shock Tha World, Twista and Val Young. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 29, 1998. Its lead single, "Still Po Pimpin", reached at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 16 on the Hot Rap Singles. The song "Bustin Back" is a diss track towards Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
Mama Drama is the third and final studio album released by American rapper Mia X, which was released on October 27, 1998, on No Limit Records, distributed by Priority Records and EMI, and featured production from Master P and Beats By the Pound. Many of the guests who appeared on the previous album returned for guest appearances on the album including Fat Joe and Charlie Wilson. Mama Drama debuted at numbers three and seven on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts respectively. It spawned two singles: "What'cha Wanna Do" and "Imma Shine". It went on to sell 400,000 units in the US after 2 weeks of it's release.
Boss of All Bosses is the second studio album by American rapper Slim Thug. It was released through his Boss Hogg Outlawz label, distributed by E1 Music, on March 24, 2009. The album features guest appearances from Mannie Fresh, Z-Ro, Mike Jones, Scarface, and UGK, while the production on the album was primarily handled by Mr. Lee, along with several record producers, including Jim Jonsin, Mr. Rogers, and Bigg Tyme, among others.
Training Day: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to Antoine Fuqua's 2001 crime film Training Day. It was released on September 11, 2001, through Priority Records and contained mostly hip hop music.
The Salvation is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Skyzoo. It was released on September 29, 2009, via Jamla Records and Duck Down Music. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, Cyrus Tha Great, Eric G., Nottz, Best Kept Secret, Black Milk, Illmind, Just Blaze and Needlz. It features guest appearance from Carlitta Durand.
Foundation is the fifth studio album by the American hip hop duo M.O.P., from Brooklyn, New York. It was released on September 15, 2009 via E1 Music. Production was handled by DR Period, Statik Selektah, DJ Green Lantern, DJ Premier, Kil, M-Phazes, Nottz, Ron G, Taylor Made, and member Lil' Fame under his Fizzy Womack alias, with Laze-E-Laze serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from DeMarco, Redman, Rell, Styles P, Termanology and The Revelations.
Cats & Dogs is the second solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Evidence. It was released on September 27, 2011 through Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at ALC Laboratories in Santa Monica, Soundproof West in Venice, The Drug Lab and Soundproof East in Los Angeles, Infamous Studios in Queens, Stophouse Studios in Minneapolis and All This Could Be Yours in San Francisco. Production was handled by the Alchemist, Sid Roams, DJ Premier, Rahki, Charli Brown, Twiz the Beat Pro, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from Aesop Rock, Aloe Blacc, Catero, Krondon, Lil' Fame, Prodigy, Raekwon, Rakaa Iriscience, Ras Kass, Roc Marciano, Slug, Step Brothers and Termanology, with cameos from Amber Strother, Danny Keyz, Noelle Scaggs and Wendy Guerra.
Ghetto Dope is the debut studio album by American hip hop group 5th Ward Boyz. It was released in May 1993 through a joint venture between O.G. Dewey Forker's Underground Records and J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Jungle Style Studios and at Digital Services in Houston. Production was handled by John Bido, Mike Dean, N.O. Joe, and J. Prince, who also was serving as executive producer together with Edward Russell and O.G. Dewey. It features guest appearances from Bushwick Bill, Devin the Dude and Scarface. Member Richard "Lo Life" Nash was absent on the project due to his imprisonment.
Rated G is the third studio album by the American hip hop trio 5th Ward Boyz. It was released on November 28, 1995 through Rap-A-Lot Records. Recording sessions took place at Hot Dog Studio and Digital Services in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Derek "Grizz" Edwards, Pimp C, Roger Tausz, Scarface and 5th Ward Boyz, with J Prince and O.G. Dewey serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from 3D, 5th Ward Juvenilez, Flesh-n-Bone, Kaos, UGK and Wildchild.
The Beginning of the End... is the debut studio album by American hip hop group UTP. It was released on May 18, 2004, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Recording sessions took place at Stone House in Los Angeles, at Studio Center in Miami, and at UTP Studios in New Orleans. Production was handled by Derek "Grizz" Edwards, Slice Tee, Donald "XL" Robertson, Ad Future, and Juvenile. It features guest appearances from Partners-N-Crime, Ms. Tee and Big Zuse.
Da Hood is the only studio album by American hip hop duo Menace Clan. It was released on October 10, 1995, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Production was handled by N.O. Joe, "Big Jessie" Willard, Mike Dean, Scarface, Freddie Young, John "Swift" Catalon, Michael Banks, and member Dante "Dee" Miller. It features guest appearances from Bushwick Bill.
God of the Serengeti is the second studio album by American rapper Vinnie Paz. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Enemy Soil Entertainment and The Orchard. Production was handled by C-Lance, JBL the Titan, Arcitype, Beatnick Dee, DJ Lethal, DJ Premier, Havoc, Illinformed, Jack of All Trades, Marco Polo, Mr. Green, MTK, Psycho Les, Stu Bangas and Tony Kenyatta. It features guest appearances from Army of the Pharaohs, Blaq Poet, Block McCloud, Baby Pun, F.T., Immortal Technique, Kool G Rap, La Coka Nostra, Mobb Deep, Poison Pen, Q-Unique, R.A. the Rugged Man, Scarface, Smoke, Tragedy Khadafi and Whispers.
