Jazzmatazz Volume 1 is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist Guru. It was released on May 18, 1993, through Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Guru himself, who also served as executive producer together with Duff Marlowe and Patrick Moxey.
The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Audio X in Burbank, D&D Studios in New York, Can Am Studios in Tarzana and Threshold Studios in Santa Monica. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, E-Swift, KutMasta Kurt and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, B-Real, Everlast, and Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and Tha Alkaholiks. The album represents a movement of several California underground hip hop artists away from the violence and misogyny of gangsta rap, towards a more traditional, conscious form of rap.
Donnie Shaquan Lewis, better known by his stage name Skillz, is an American rapper. He first became known for his debut album From Where??? (1996), titularly in reference to his origins in Virginia, contrary of the prototypical New York City- or Los Angeles-based rapper at the time. He is also known for his yearly "Rap Ups," which he has done annually since 2002.
Porn Again is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Mr. Eon and Cage and record producer DJ Mighty Mi, recording as a supergroup Smut Peddlers. It was released on February 13, 2001, via Rawkus/Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at The Muthafuckin' Spot On Lexington. Production was handled by member DJ Mighty Mi, who also served as executive producer together with his The High & Mighty partner Mr. Eon. It features guest appearances from Copywrite, Kool G Rap, Kool Keith, R.A. the Rugged Man, Apani B. Fly, Lord Sear and Beetlejuice. The album peaked at number 184 on the Billboard 200, number 43 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 10 in the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. It was re-released as Porn Again Revisited on March 7, 2006, via Eastern Conference Records, with four bonus tracks that were formerly only available on vinyl.
The Coming is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes. It was released on March 26, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The album contains contributions by Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal, as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School and several Flipmode Squad members. Production of the album was handled by DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee and the Ummah, among others. It serves as Rhymes's first solo album after the breakup of Leaders of the New School two years prior, and his first full-length project after numerous guest appearances on other songs with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D and the Boyz and Mary J. Blige.
Here to Save You All is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Chino XL. It was released on April 9, 1996, through American Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Platinum Island Studios and Firehouse Studio in New York, at Canyon Post Digital and Kitchen Sync Studios in Los Angeles, and at Secret Six Studios. Production was handled by B-Wiz, Bird, DJ Homicide, Eric Romero, KutMasta Kurt, and Dan Charnas, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Gravitation, Kool Keith and Ras Kass.
A Long Hot Summer is the third solo and fifth overall studio album by American rapper Masta Ace. It was released on August 3, 2004 via M3 Macmil Music. Production was handled by Dams & Sla, Dug Infinite, Xplicit, 9th Wonder, DJ Serious, DJ Spinna, DR Period, Marco Polo, Khrysis, Koolade, and Ace himself. It features guest appearances from eMC, Leschea, Apocalypse, Big Noyd, Ed O.G., Jean Grae, Mr. Lee G, The Beatnuts and Rahzel.
Rasassination is the second studio album by American rapper Ras Kass. It was released on September 22, 1998 via Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Stu's Kennel, at Audio X Recording Studios and Enterprise Recordings in Burbank, at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, at Henchmen Recording Studio and Unique Recording Studios in New York, at Echo Sound in Los Angeles, and at Creator's Way Recording Studio in Chicago. Production was handled by Stu-B-Doo, Klev, Easy Mo Bee, Flip, Jaz-O, Toxic, Twelve, and Ras Kass himself. It features guest appearances from Bad Azz, Dr. Dre, El Drex, Jah-Skillz, Jazze Pha, Kurupt, Mack 10, Phil Da Agony, RZA, Saafir, Twista and Xzibit. The album peaked at number 63 on Billboard 200 and number 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its only single, "Ghetto Fabulous", made it to number 56 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Expansion Team is the second studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on October 23, 2001, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and The Dewgarde Crib Of Hits in New York, at SoundProof and Skip Saylor Recording in Los Angeles, at Encore Studios and Mad Dog Studios in Burbank, at Front Page Recorders in Glendale and at The Studio in Philadelphia. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, Da Beatminerz, DJ Premier, Juju and Questlove. It features guest appearances from Black Thought, the Beat Junkies members DJ Rhettmatic, J. Rocc and Melo-D, and the Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony and Tha Alkaholiks, with cameo appearances from Cokni O'Dire, GuRu, Noelle Scaggs and Shae Fiol.
Home Field Advantage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The High & Mighty. It was released on August 24, 1999 via Rawkus Records. Recording sessions took place at the Muthafuckin' Spot on Lexington. Production was produced mostly by member DJ Mighty Mi, but also featured production from Alchemist and Reef. It features guest appearances from Bobbito García, Cage, Defari, Eminem, Evidence, Kool Keith, Mad Skillz, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Thirstin Howl III, What? What? and Wordsworth. The album peaked at number 193 on the Billboard 200, number 45 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. The single "B-Boy Document '99" reached number 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs, and was later appeared on the soundtrack of 2000 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. The single "Dick Starbuck "Porno Detective"" made it to number 37 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Wild Cowboys is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X of Brand Nubian. It was released on July 15, 1996 via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Greene St. Recording in New York, and at Chris Biondo Studios in Washington, D.C. Production was handled by Diamond D, Buckwild, DJ Ogee, Ali Malek, Ant Greene Father Time, Da Beatminerz, Dante Ross, DJ Alamo, Minnesota, Pete Rock, Showbiz and Sadat X himself. It features guest appearances from Shawn Black, DV Alias Khrist, Deda, Grand Puba, Kool Chuck, Money Boss Players, Tec, Sha Sha and Regina Hall. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
The Psycho Realm is the eponymous debut studio album by American hip hop group Psycho Realm. It was released on October 28, 1997, via Ruffhouse/Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at The Hill, Ameraycan Studios and Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Sick Jacken and B-Real, as well as The Psycho Ward and TRT.
Ode to the Ghetto is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Guilty Simpson from the Almighty Dreadnaughtz. It was released on March 25, 2008 via Stones Throw Records. Production of the album was handled by seven record producers, including Madlib, Mr. Porter, Oh No, J Dilla, Black Milk, DJ Babu, Konphlict, and Peanut Butter Wolf, who served as executive producer. It also features guest appearances from Black Milk, Sean Price, MED, Kon Artis, and Simpson's A.D. groupmates Konnie Ross, Kriz Steel, Supa Emcee.
Built from Scratch is the second studio album by New York City DJ group The X-Ecutioners. It was released on February 26, 2002, through Loud Records and Columbia Records. The album was produced by Beat Junkies, Chris Frantz, CJ Moore, Dan the Automator, DJ Apollo, DJ Premier, Kenny Muhammad The Human Orchestra, Knobody, Large Professor, Lo-Fidelity Allstars, Mike Shinoda of American rock band Linkin Park, Sean Cane, The X-Ecutioners, Tina Weymouth, and was executive produced by Peter Kang.
Tough Luv is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Young Gunz. It was released on February 24, 2004 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios, Baseline Studios and Quad Recording in New York, and at The Studio and Homebase Studios in Philadelphia. Production was handled by Chad Hamilton, Just Blaze, Bink!, Boola, Darrell "Digga" Branch, Ez Elpee, Ruggedness and Scott Storch, with Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Denim, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Chingy, Freeway, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Omillio Sparks and Rell.
The Professional is the debut studio album by American record producer DJ Clue?. It was released on December 15, 1998, via Roc-A-Fella Records.
The Million Dollar Backpack is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Skillz. It was released on July 22, 2008 via Big Kidz Music and Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Homecookin Studios, Larry Gold's The Studio and The Boom Room in Philadelphia, at Portside Sound, at Donland Studios, at Chung King Studios in New York, at K1 Laboratories, at The House That Quest Built. Production was handled by Bink!, Fusion Unlimited, Khari Ferrari, Carvin & Ivan, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jake One, James Poyser, Jimmy "Slim" Rose, Kwamé, ?uestlove, Usef Dinero, and Skillz himself. It features guest appearances from Black Thought, Common and Freeway.
Child of the Ghetto is the debut studio album by American rapper G. Dep. It was released on November 20, 2001, through Bad Boy Entertainment/Arista Records.
I Told You So is the second studio album by American rapper Chino XL. Originally it was slated to be released via Warner Bros. Records, and the catalogue number 47710 was assigned to the release, but Chino XL was dropped by the label shortly after the promotional single "Let 'Em Live" was released. It was released on August 21, 2001 through Metro Records.
Realms 'n Reality is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Cella Dwellas. It was released on March 26, 1996 through Loud Records. Production was handled by Nick Wiz, DJ Megahurtz, Gatman, The Bluez Brothers, and Cella Dwellas themselves. It features a lone guest appearance from Baybe. The album peaked at number 160 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Three singles were produced from the album: "Land of the Lost", "Good Dwellas" and "Perfect Match".
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