Quality is the debut 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.
Da Bush Babees is an American underground hip-hop trio loosely affiliated with the Native Tongues. The members of the group originally performed under the stage names Babe-B-Face Kaos, Mister Man and Y-Tee.
Loyalty is the fifth studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on November 12, 2002, via Terror Squad/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios and TMF Studios in New York, PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami. Production was handled by Cool & Dre, Alchemist, Armageddon, Buckwild, Chink Santana, Irv Gotti, Larry "Precision" Gates, Ron Browz, Teflon and Ty Fyffe. It features guest appearances from fellow Terror Squad members Tony Sunshine, Remy Ma, Armageddon and Prospect, as well as Birdman, Ginuwine, Lamagic, Ronda Blackwell and Scarface.
Philadelphia Freeway is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Freeway. It was released on February 25, 2003 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Baseline Studios, Quad Recording Studios and Sound On Sound in New York, Circle House Studios in Miami and Larrabee North in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Just Blaze, Kanye West, Bink!, Black Key and Ruggedness, with co-producer E-Bass and additional producer Gee Roberson. It features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, Young Gunz, Allen Anthony, Faith Evans, Nate Dogg, Nelly, Omillio Sparks, Peedi Peedi, Rell, Snoop Dogg and Mariah Carey.
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".
Ambushed is the debut studio album by American hip-hop group Da Bush Babees. It was released on December 6, 1994, via Reprise Records. The recording sessions took place at Desta Recording Studios, Greene St. Recording, D&D Studios, The Crib/Palm Tree Studios, Unique Recording Studios, and Chung King Studios, in New York, and at Krosswire Studio in Atlanta, with additional recording at Firehouse Studio in New York. The album was produced by J. Prins, Jermaine Dupri, Mark Batson, Nikke Nicole, Leroy Southwell, Salaam Remi, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Mr. Man, Babe-B-Face Kaos, and Y-Tee. It features a guest appearance from 2 Unorthodox.
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. The recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Soundtrack Studios in New York. The album was produced 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 Professional 2 is the second studio album by American record producer DJ Clue. Originally scheduled for a November 1999 release, it was then delayed to a 2000 release. The album was ultimately released on February 27, 2001 via Roc-A-Fella Records, a division of UMG's Def Jam Recordings. It serves as a sequel to his 1998 debut studio album The Professional.
Enigma is the second solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on November 26, 1996, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Long Island. The album was produced by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Ty Fyffe, the Ummah, and Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick. It features guest appearances from 50 Grand, Kel-Vicious, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Dave Hollister, Jamal, and Redman. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Its lead single "The Rhyme" made it to number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts.
Lyricist Lounge 2 is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of Lyricist Lounge album series, based on New York's Lyricist Lounge showcases.
718 is the only studio album by American hip hop group Theodore Unit. It was released on August 3, 2004 through Sure Shot Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Audiovision Studios and Circle House Studios in Miami, and Redline Studios and Sound On Sound Studios in New York from the same sessions for The Pretty Toney Album. Production was handled by K-Def, Emile Haynie, Anthony Acid, Cilvaringz, Dirty Dean, D. Prosper, Milestone, Nexus, Self, the Smith Bros., and DJ Skillspinz, with CL, Ghostface Killah and Mike Caruso serving as executive producers. Composed of Ghostface Killah, Trife Da God, Solomon Childs, Shawn Wigs, Kryme Life, Cappadonna and Du-Lilz, it features guest appearances from Bone Crusher, Kline, Method Man and Streetlife.
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. The recording sessions took place at the Muthafuckin' Spot on Lexington. The album 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. The single "Dick Starbuck "Porno Detective"" made it to number 37 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Diplomatic Immunity is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Diplomats, released via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's Diplomat Records.
Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood is the tenth and most recent solo studio album by American rapper BG. After numerous push backs, it was released on December 8, 2009 through Chopper City/Atlantic Records with distribution via E1 Entertainment.
You Can't Stop the Reign is the third studio album by American basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal. It was released on November 19, 1996, through T.W.IsM./Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at T.W.IsM. Studios in Orlando, Skip Saylor in Los Angeles and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, with additional recordings done at Soundtrack Studios and The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled by Dave Atkinson, Ross "Spyda" Sloan, Domingo, Trackmasters, Darkchild, Bobby Brown, Chris Large, DJ Quik, Easy Mo Bee, G-1, I-Roc, Jammin' James Carter, Mobb Deep and Ralph Tresvant. It features guest appearances from The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, S.H.E., Bobby Brown, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Peaches.
Milk Me is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on August 31, 2004 via Penalty Recordings/Rykodisc. Recording sessions took place at The Cutting Room in New York. Produced entirely by the Beatnuts, it featured guest appearances from Chris Chandler, Gab Goblin, A.G., Akon, Colion, Freeway, Greg Nice, Milano, Prince Whipper Whip, Rahzel, Tony Touch and Triple Seis.
Hip Hop for Respect is a benefit maxi-single brought together by American hip hop duo Black Star to speak out against police brutality after four New York City Police Department officers murdered West African immigrant Amadou Diallo fired 41 shots at the unarmed man. The project was released on April 25, 2000, through Rawkus Records.
Anomie & Bonhomie is the fourth album by the British group Scritti Politti, released in 1999. The album marks a sharp departure from their previous synthpop era and features contributions from rappers Mos Def, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, and Lee Majors of Da Bush Babees.
Belly (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to Hype Williams' 1998 film Belly. It was released on November 3, 1998, through Def Jam Recordings and featured production from the likes of Poke & Tone, Dame Grease, Sean Combs and Swizz Beatz. The soundtrack was a success, peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned the single "Grand Finale" by rappers DMX, Ja Rule, Method Man and Nas. "Grand Finale" made it to #63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #18 on the Hot Rap Songs. Four music video singles were released for "Grand Finale", "What About", "Movin' Out" and "Tommy's Theme".
