The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. The 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. The album was produced 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.
Derek Keith Barbosa (April 8, 1974 – July 28, 2024), better known by his stage name Chino XL, was an American rapper and actor. He released four solo studio albums. His album Ricanstruction: The Black Rosary (2012) won the 2012 HHUG Album of the Year Award.
The Hrsmn is an American hip hop supergroup consisting of the artists Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. They have released two albums. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in the Book of Revelation from the Bible. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are traditionally named Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Throughout the HRSMN songs, there are many references to each of the members representing a specific entity. They are Pestilence, War (Canibus), Famine (Kurupt), and Death. They have each frequently appeared on each of the members solo albums, such as Canibus's 2000 B.C. and Killah Priest's Priesthood. Other affiliated members include Chino XL, and Pharoahe Monch.
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... is the second solo studio album by American rapper 2Pac. It was released on February 16, 1993, via TNT Recordings and Interscope Records and distributed by Atlantic Records and Restless Records (LP). The recording sessions took place at Starlight Sound Studio in Richmond, Echo Sound Studio in Los Angeles and Unique Recording Studios in New York. The album was produced by the Underground Railroad and D-Flow Production Squad, as well as Live Squad, DJ Bobcat, DJ Daryl, Akshun, Laylaw, Special Ed, and Truman Jefferson. It features contributions from Live Squad, Apache, Dave Hollister, Deadly Threat, Digital Underground, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Poppi, Treach, and 2Pac's stepbrother Wycked among others.
The Coming is the debut studio album by the 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 the Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal; as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School, and several Flipmode Squad members. It was produced 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.
SouthernUnderground is the second studio album by American hip hop trio CunninLynguists. It was released on April 1, 2003 via FreshChest Records. Recording sessions took place at Deacon's Crib in Lexington, Kentucky. Production was handled by member Kno, who also served as executive producer, Domingo, Freshchest Prose and RJD2. It features guest appearances from Cashmere The PRO, Masta Ace, Supastition and Tonedeff.
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.
From Where??? is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist Mad Skillz. It was released on February 13, 1996, via Big Beat/Atlantic Records. It was produced by Mad Skillz, Buckwild, Shawn J. Period, J Dilla, DJ Clark Kent, EZ Elpee, Large Professor, Nick Wiz, and the Beatnuts, with Rob "Reef" Tewlow serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Kalonji the Immortal, Dr. Mindbenda, Javon the Medieval, Large Professor, Lil' Roc, Lonnie B and Q-Tip. The album peaked at number 154 on the Billboard 200, number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.
First Come, First Served is the third solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Keith, and the first he released under the alias Dr. Dooom. It was released on May 4, 1999, by Funky Ass Records. The album featured guest appearances from Jacky Jasper and Motion Man, and was produced entirely by KutMasta Kurt and Kool Keith. It peaked at number 48 on the Heatseekers Albums.
Kurt Matlin, professionally known as KutMasta Kurt, is an American hip hop producer, best known for his work with Kool Keith, as well as occasional tracks and remixes for artists such as the Beastie Boys, Linkin Park, and Dilated Peoples.
All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.
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.
Dangerous Connection is the second studio album by American underground hip hop duo 7L & Esoteric. It was released on October 8, 2002 via Brick/Landspeed Records. Recording sessions took place at Boston Butta Beats and D-Son's Nicklindime Spot in Boston, and Iacron Studios. Production was handled by DJ 7L, Beyonder, KutMasta Kurt and Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. It features guest appearances from Apathy, Beyonder, Count Bass D, J-Live and Vinnie Paz.
Tha Mexakinz is the second full-length studio album by American Latin hip hop duo Tha Mexakinz. It was released on August 13, 1996, through Wild West Records. Recording sessions took place at Kitchen Sync Studios in Hollywood and at Fluid Recording Studio. Production was handled by member Sinful, as well as Thayod Ausar and Bird, with Morris Taft serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Chino XL, Supherb, Xzibit, K.Y.M., Danjah, Detriment, Rom, Moziz and Frost.
Time Waits for No Man is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Rasco. It was released on July 21, 1998, through Stones Throw Records. Recording sessions took place at Jam Packed Studios and at Treshold Recordings in Santa Monica, California. Production was handled by Peanut Butter Wolf, Paul Nice, Evidence, KutMasta Kurt, DJ Design, Fanatik, Joey Chavez and Protest. It features guest appearances from Defari, Dilated Peoples, DJ Vin Roc, Encore, and his Cali Agents partner Planet Asia.
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.
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.
Arts & Entertainment is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Masta Ace and Edo G. It was released on October 6, 2009 via M3 Records. Recording sessions took place at Dojo II Studios in New York City and at Nelly Protoolz. Production was handled by DJ Supreme One, M-Phazes, Baby Dooks, DJ Spinna, Double-O, Frank Dukes, Pav Bundy and Rain. It features guest appearances from The Bundies, Chester French, DoItAll of Lords of the Underground, KRS-One, Large Professor, Marsha Ambrosius, Posdnuos and Lite. The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics.
The Diam Piece is the fourth studio album by American rapper Diamond D. The album was released on September 30, 2014, by Dymond Mine Records. The album features guest appearances from Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Skyzoo, Fat Joe, Chi Ali, Freddie Foxxx, Pete Rock, The Pharcyde, Scram Jones, Rapsody, Boog Brown, Stacy Epps, Black Rob, Kurupt, Tha Alkaholiks, Hi-Tek, A.G., Chino XL, The Alchemist, Evidence, Grand Daddy I.U., Kev Brown, Masta Ace, Guilty Simpson and Ras Kass.
"Kreep" is the second single from rapper Chino XL's debut album Here to Save You All. It is produced by Eric Romero, who uses elements from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly, "Levitate" by Brecker Brothers, and "Repent Walpurgis" by Procol Harum for the drums. Additionally the song interpolates portions from the song "Creep" by rock group Radiohead and "You Are Everything" by the Stylistics. This is perhaps Chino XL's best-known song and his most successful, reaching number one the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B Singles Chart. It remained number one for two weeks and remained on the chart for 23 weeks from July 1996 to January 1997. Kreep also charted on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles Chart, peaking at number 41 and reached its peak on the week of September 21, 1996.
