G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre was heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often using samples or recreating the original tracks. It was represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).
Midnight Marauders is the third studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on November 9, 1993, by Jive Records. Recording sessions for the album occurred at Battery Studios, Platinum Island Studios and Scorcerer Sound in New York City. Its production was mainly handled by Q-Tip, with contributions from Skeff Anselm, Large Professor and the group's DJ, Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A culmination of the group's two previous albums, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm and The Low End Theory, it features an eclectic, gritty sound based on jazz, funk, soul and R&B samples, in addition to socially conscious, positively-minded, and humorous lyrics.
Devin Derico Copeland, better known by his stage name Devin the Dude, is an American rapper known for his unique rapping style and his 2002 songs "Lacville '79" and "Doobie Ashtray".
"Mind Playing Tricks on Me" is a song by Geto Boys, featured on their 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped . The lyrics describe the mental anguish and exhaustion of life as a gangster, including dealing with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, paranoia, suicidal ideation, and loneliness. It also samples "Hung Up on My Baby" by Isaac Hayes, from his 1974 film Tough Guys. At the song's peak, it reached 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting single by the Geto Boys.
Rap-A-Lot is a hip hop record label co-founded by James Prince and Cliff Blodget in 1986. Smoke-a-Lot Records is a subsidiary.
Mr. Scarface Is Back is the debut studio album by American rapper Scarface. It was released on October 8, 1991, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles: "Mr. Scarface" and "A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die". Both of these singles attained minor success on the charts.
The World Is Yours is the second studio album by American rapper Scarface. It was released on August 17, 1993, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album was not as acclaimed as his debut, Mr. Scarface Is Back, but sold strongly, breaking into the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and peaking at number 1 on the R&B/hip hop album chart. "Let Me Roll" became a Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1993. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 20, 1993.
The Diary is the third studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on October 18, 1994, by Rap-A-Lot and Noo Trybe. This album is one of the few to receive a perfect rating from both The Source Magazine and XXL. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA on December 5, 1994.
The Untouchable is the fourth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on March 11, 1997, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Noo Trybe Records. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in his career with the album; in addition it peaked at the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for two weeks, giving Scarface his second number one album there. The album sold 169,000 copies in its first week.
My Homies is the fifth studio album by the American rapper Scarface. The album was released March 3, 1998, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Virgin Records. The album features production by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, N.O. Joe, Scarface and Tone Capone. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA on April 6, 1998. The album features guest performances by 2Pac, Master P, Ice Cube, Devin the Dude, B-Legit, UGK, Too Short, Do or Die and Willie D. Scarface appears solo on two of thirty songs, performs with others on thirteen and does not contribute vocals on fifteen. A sequel to the album, My Homies Part 2, was released on March 7, 2006.
The Last of a Dying Breed is the sixth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on October 3, 2000, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Virgin Records. The album was less successful commercially than his last few efforts, but more successful critically. It debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 133,972 copies in its first week being certified Gold by the RIAA.
The Fix is the seventh studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on August 6, 2002. The album debuted at #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.
Balls and My Word is a compilation album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on April 8, 2003, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Rap-A-Lot CEO, James Prince organized a studio album of unreleased songs recorded by Scarface that were outtakes from previous albums. The album failed to match the success of Scarface's previous album, becoming only a minor success, having peaked at 20 on the Billboard 200.
My Homies Part 2 is the eighth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on March 7, 2006, by Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. It is the sequel to his 1998 collaborative album, My Homies. Released as a double album, My Homies Part 2 was a commercial success, having made it to 12 on the Billboard 200.
The Coughee Brothaz is a Southern hip-hop trio consisting of Devin the Dude, Jugg Mugg and Rob Quest.
Just Tryin' ta Live is the second solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released on August 27, 2002 via Rap-A-Lot Records. Production was handled by mostly by Rob Quest, Michael "Domo" Poye and Mike Dean, alongside several other record producers including David Banner, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre and N.O. Joe. It features guest appearances from Odd Squad, Nas, Pooh Bear, Raphael Saadiq and Xzibit. The album has no charting singles, but it peaked at number 61 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
The Dude is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released on June 16, 1998 via Rap-A-Lot Records. Production was handled mostly by Michael "Domo" Poye, alongside several other record producers including Joe Bythewood, N.O. Joe, Mr. Lee and Tone Capone. It features guest appearances from K.B., K-Dee, Scarface, Odd Squad, DMG and Spice 1 among others. The title of the album was a reference to the song The Dude by Quincy Jones. The album peaked at number 177 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Made is the ninth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on December 4, 2007, by Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album was both critically and commercially successful, making it to 17 on the Billboard 200 and 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. One single was released, "Girl You Know" featuring R&B singer, Trey Songz, which became a minor hit on the R&B charts.
Joseph Johnson, known by his stage name N.O. Joe, is an American musician, hip hop record producer and songwriter. N.O. Joe was a pioneer of the Southern Hip Hop sound during the 1990s. He operates a production company named Gumbo Funk, which is also a name given to his melange of musical styles
The OF Tape Vol. 2 is the debut studio album by American hip hop collective Odd Future. It was released on March 20, 2012, by Odd Future Records and RED Distribution. It serves as the sequel to their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape (2008). The album features appearances from Odd Future members Hodgy Beats, Tyler, the Creator, Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Mike G, the Internet, Taco, Jasper Dolphin, Left Brain and L-Boy, as well as an uncredited appearance from Earl Sweatshirt. Production on the album was primarily handled by Left Brain and Tyler, the Creator, with Frank Ocean, Hal Williams and Matt Martians also receiving production credits. Lyrically the album ranges from being serious to being satirical, with some tracks offering an overly absurdist take on rap.
