Kasseem Daoud Dean, known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, rapper, disc jockey (DJ) and songwriter. Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dean initially embarked on his musical career as a DJ. At the age of eighteen, he gained recognition in the music industry through his family's record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment, as well as his close affiliation with the label's flagship artist, Yonkers-based rapper DMX. Working with DMX as his producer, DJ and hype man helped Dean gain prominence as a high-profile personality in hip hop in the following years.
Money, Power & Respect is the debut album by hip hop group The Lox. It was released on January 13, 1998, through Bad Boy Records and featured production from the Hitmen, Dame Grease and Swizz Beatz. The album found huge success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned two charting singles, "Money, Power & Respect" and "If You Think I'm Jiggy". In 2008, the title track was ranked number 53 on Vh1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released September 8, 2009, on Ice H2O/EMI Records in the United States. The album experienced numerous delays to its release due to Raekwon's approach of continual re-writing, as well as distribution issues with his record labels. Serving as the sequel to his critically acclaimed debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), Pt. II maintains many of the themes covered on its predecessor, and features guest appearances from several Wu-Tang members, as well as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel.
¡Mayday! is an American hip hop group from Miami, Florida. The group comprises rappers Bernardo "Bernz" Garcia and Ben "Wrekonize" Miller, along with producer and percussionist Andrews "NonMS" Mujica. Until 2015, the group also included keyboard player and guitarist Aaron Eckhart, drummer Terrel, and bassist Gianni Perocapi. The band was formerly signed to Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin's Strange Music label. As of May 1, 2022, all future releases will be on their own label Mayday Music distributed by It Goes Up.
Soulful is the debut studio album from second-season American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, released on December 9, 2003 by J Records. The record received mixed reviews from critics divided over the quality of the track listing and Ruben's vocal performance. Soulful debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned two singles: "Sorry 2004" and "What If".
"5000 Ones" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Drama. The song serves as his debut single and the lead single from his debut studio album Gangsta Grillz: The Album. The hip hop song, produced by Jazze Pha, features vocals from several rappers, namely Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy and Twista, as well as Diddy on background vocals and ad-libs. The single peaked at #52 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and peaked at #9 on the Hot Rap Tracks.
Last Train to Paris is a collaborative studio album by American rapper and record producer Diddy and American R&B and hip hop duo Dirty Money, billed collectively as "Diddy – Dirty Money". It was released on December 14, 2010, by Bad Boy Records and Interscope Records. It is the only album for Dirty Money. The album describes Diddy's alter-ego as he travels from London to Paris to regain his lost love. Last Train to Paris is predominantly hip hop, but incorporates elements of Eurodance, Italo disco and tech house.
"I Can Transform Ya" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his third album Graffiti. The song features vocals from American rappers Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The artists co-wrote the song with Lonny Bereal, Trayce Green, and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, with Beatz producing the track. The song was released as the lead single from Graffiti on September 29, 2009, and was Brown's first official release since his altercation with former girlfriend, Barbadian singer Rihanna. Originally known simply as "Transformer", it is an electro-composed song infused with hip hop, crunk and "industrial" R&B musical genres, while making use of robotic tones. It is lyrically about introducing someone to a life of luxury.
"Ass on the Floor" is a song performed by Diddy and the duo Dirty Money, lifted from their debut album, Last Train to Paris. The song features guest vocals and production from record producer Swizz Beatz. It was released as the third UK single taken from the album on 18 April 2011. "Ass on the Floor" was co-written by the lead performers, as well as Leroy Watson. Incorporating pounding drums and shimmering synthesizers, "Ass on the Floor" was praised by critics as one of the best songs on Last Train to Paris.
Student of the Game is the sixth studio album by American hip hop recording artist N.O.R.E.. The album was released on April 16, 2013, under Militainment Business, Conglomerate and E1 Music. The album features guest appearances from French Montana, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Pusha T, Pharrell, Pete Rock, Havoc, Jeremih, Mick Jones, Large Professor, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes and Scarface among others.
"Gorgeous" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The track features a hook provided by Kid Cudi, a recording artist formerly signed to West's label GOOD Music, and a rap verse provided by the Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The song was written by West, Cudi, Raekwon, No I.D., Mike Dean and Rhymefest, and was produced by West, No I.D. and Dean. It contains elements of Enoch Light and the Glittering Guitars' cover version of The Turtles' song "You Showed Me". "Gorgeous" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised the intricacy of the production, the quality of the guest features and the rock music inspired aesthetic of the song. Several critics cited West's verses as a highlight of the track, complimenting his lyricism and delivery.
H.F.M. 2 is the third studio album by American rapper Lloyd Banks, released on November 22, 2010 through G-Unit Records and EMI.
Psycho White is a collaborative EP by American drummer Travis Barker and rapper Yelawolf. It was released on November 13, 2012, under LaSalle Records and Killer Distribution. The first single of the EP, "Push 'Em" was released as a free download via Yelawolf's Twitter page and on numerous hip hop websites on September 12. The artwork was released the same day as well as a behind-the-scenes video of how the artwork was created.
2 Birds 1 Stone is the third studio album by American rapper Stevie Stone. It was released on August 13, 2013, via Strange Music. Production was handled by J. White Did It, BandCamp Chris, BCGS, Cash Clay, Darrein Safron, Diesel Beatz, Farrell "Rell" Rogers, Foss Weirdo, Jeffery "Frizz" James, Jelly Joe, Johnny Juliano, Karbon, Nick Fury, Noble Beats, Peso Piddy, Thomas "Tom" Burns, Wyshmaster, and Stevie Stone himself. It features guest appearances from Krizz Kaliko, Bernz, Brotha Lynch Hung, Darrein Safron, Jarren Benton, Mai Lee, Rittz, Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R., Tech N9ne, Wrekonize and Ms. Kriss. The album debuted at number 76 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 4,700 copies in the United States.
Strangeulation Vol. II is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper Tech N9ne, the sixth in his "Collabos" series. The album was released on November 20, 2015, by Strange Music. It features the entire Strange Music roster, including their new signees JL B.Hood, Darrein Safron, and Mackenzie Nicole. The album serves as a sequel to Strangeulation, the previous Tech N9ne Collabos album.
"International Party" is a song by American rapper and record producer Swizz Beatz, released as a single through Everest Entertainment on August 1, 2011. The song was written by Beatz, Avery Chambliss and Tyrone Reginald Johnson, and produced by Beatz. It features vocals from American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The music video for the single was directed by Chris Robinson. The song was released as part of the Reethym of Lite footwear campaign by Reebok Classic, for which Beatz at the time served as creative director.
Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven is the fifth studio album by American musician Kid Cudi. The album was released on December 4, 2015, through Republic Records and Cudi's Wicked Awesome Records imprint. The album is a complete departure from his previous projects, excluding WZRD, a 2012 collaborative effort which was his first venture into rock music. Inspired by the 1990s indie music scene, Cudi included commissioned skits featuring Mike Judge voicing the titular characters of his '90s animated sitcom, Beavis and Butt-Head.
Coolaid is the fourteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on July 1, 2016, by Doggystyle Records and eOne Music. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2015 to 2016 at the Doggystyle Studios Records, in Diamond Bar, California. The production on the album was handled by Snoop Dogg and other record producers, including Just Blaze, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. Snoop Dogg also enlisted a variety of guest vocalists such as Too $hort, Swizz Beatz, Jeremih, Wiz Khalifa, Trick Trick, E-40, Jazze Pha, Suga Free and October London, among others.
Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight is the second studio album by American rapper Travis Scott. It was released on September 2, 2016, through Grand Hustle Records and distributed by Epic Records. It exclusively premiered through Travis Scott and Chase B's radio show Wav Radio on Beats 1 and Apple Music. The album features guest appearances from André 3000, Blac Youngsta, Kid Cudi, Nav, 21 Savage, Kendrick Lamar, Bryson Tiller, Young Thug, Quavo, K. Forest, and the Weeknd. Production was handled by a number of record producers, including Nav, Vinylz, Mike Dean, Cardo, Frank Dukes, Allen Ritter, and Murda Beatz, among others.
"SexBeat" is a song by American musicians Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris, released on April 10, 2020. It is the third song between the trio, following "Yeah!" and "Lovers and Friends". Produced by Jon, the song was written by the artists alongside Jermaine Dupri and Antoine Harris.
