UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987, by Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. They released their first major-label album, Too Hard to Swallow, in 1992, followed by several other albums charting on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, including the self-titled Underground Kingz album, which contained their single "International Players Anthem " and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, in August 2007. The duo has also been featured on hit singles by several other artists, such as "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in late 2005. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C died in his West Hollywood, California hotel room.
Bernard James Freeman, known professionally as Bun B, is an American rapper. He is best known as one half of the southern rap duo UGK, a group he formed in 1987 alongside Pimp C. Aside from his work with UGK, Bun B has released five solo albums, including 2010's Trill OG, which received the rare 5-mic rating from The Source.
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on September 29, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It went on to become his most commercially successful album, selling over 6 million copies in the United States. In the liner notes of the album, Jay-Z gives his thoughts on various tracks. The lyrics to the fast-paced "Nigga What, Nigga Who " are also included.
2001 is the second studio album by American rapper and hip hop producer Dr. Dre. It was released on November 16, 1999, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records as the follow-up to his 1992 debut album, The Chronic. The album was produced mainly by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man, as well as Lord Finesse, and features several guest contributions from Hittman, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Xzibit, Eminem, and Nate Dogg.
Pain Is Love is the third studio album by American rapper Ja Rule, released on October 2, 2001 via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. Records. Although, the album received a mixed reception from critics, Pain Is Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was supported by four singles: "Livin' It Up", "I'm Real ", "Always on Time" and "Down Ass Bitch". It was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 3,000,000 copies. Pain is Love received numerous awards and nominations including a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 44th Grammy Awards. The album's first two singles "Livin' It Up" featuring Case and "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti collected nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 and 2003.
Trill is the debut studio album by American rapper Bun B. It was released on October 18, 2005, by Rap-a-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The record serves as Bun B's first studio release going solo, after spending years among years as a member of the Southern hip hop duo UGK throughout the most of his rap career. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 118,000 copies in the United States.
Joseph Wayne McVey IV, better known by his stage names Z-Ro and the Mo City Don, is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He was named one of America's most underrated rappers by The New York Times in 2007.
Killa Season is the fifth studio album by Harlem rapper Cam'ron. The album was released on May 16, 2006, by Diplomat Records, Asylum Records, and Atlantic Records. Cam'ron was also the executive producer of the album. The album received positive reviews but critics found the production and content lesser compared to Purple Haze. Killa Season sold 114,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200.
Let the Truth Be Told is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on April 12, 2005, through Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House Of Hits in New York City, at Noddfactor Studios in Denton, at M.A.D. Studios and at King Of The Ghetto Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, Bigg Tyme, Cory Mo, Dani Kartel, Davion Botts, "The Beatmaster" Clay D and Z-Ro himself. It features guest appearances from Trae tha Truth, Ashanti, Devin the Dude, Juvenile, Lil' Boss, Lil' Flip and Paul Wall. The album peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Scrappy. The album was released on December 5, 2006 by Warner Bros. Records, BME Recordings, Reprise Records and G-Unit South. The album debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200 with about 82,000 copies sold. Guests on the album include Yung Joc, Young Buck, Young Dro, Lil Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Lloyd, Yo Gotti, Olivia, 50 Cent, among others.
I'm a Hustla is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Cassidy. It was released on June 28, 2005, by J and Full Surface Records. The album includes production from Bink, Devo Springsteen, Hi-Tek, Neo da Matrix, Nottz, L.E.S., The Individualz and Swizz Beatz, the latter of whom also executive produced the album. It features guest appearances from Nas, Quan, Mario, Mashonda, Raekwon, Lil Wayne, Fabolous and Mary J. Blige.
Pimpalation is the second studio album by American rapper Pimp C from UGK. It was released on July 11, 2006, by Rap-A-Lot, Asylum, and Atlantic Records, making it the rapper's last solo album to be released during his lifetime. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House of Hits, at M.A.D. Studios and Studio 7303 in Houston and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by several record producers, including Mr. Lee, Mike Dean, Jazze Pha and Mannie Fresh. The chopped and screwed version of the album was mixed by DJ Michael "5000" Watts. The album features a large number of guest performers, such as 8Ball & MJG, ABN, Ali & Gipp, Big Mike, Bun B, Chamillionaire, J. Prince, Lil' Boosie, Lil' Keke, Mike Jones, Scarface, Slim Thug, Tela, Webbie, and Willie D among others.
I Need Mine is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Lil' Flip. Originally set to be released on December 6, 2005 via Columbia/Sony Urban, it was dropped on March 27, 2007 through Asylum/Warner Bros. Records.
The Life of Joseph W. McVey is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on February 24, 2004 through Rap-A-Lot 4 Life/J. Prince Entertainment with distribution via Asylum Records. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House Of Hits in New York City, at Noddfactor Studios in Denton, and at M.A.D. Studios in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, Bigg Tyme, Sean "Solo" Jemison and Tone Capone. It features guest appearances from Trae tha Truth, Scarface and Tanya Herron. The album peaked at number 170 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Glenn Clifton Jr., also known as Young Bleed is an American rapper based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
King of tha Ghetto: Power is the eleventh solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on May 8, 2007 through Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. It features guest appearances from Point Blank, Spice 1, B.G. Duke, Big Boss, Big Shasta, D-Bo, Dougie D, Lil' Flip, Mike D, Pimp C and Vicious. The album peaked at number 197 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Crack is the twelfth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on September 16, 2008 via Rap-A-Lot Records, Warner Bros. Records and Asylum Records. Production was handled by Mr. Lee, Bigg Tyme, J. Moses, Cory Mo, Tone Capone and Z-Ro himself. It features guest appearances from Lil' Keke, Mike D, Mýa, Paul Wall and Slim Thug. The album chronicles the life story side of Z-Ro, like most of his albums. He stated that the streets would be hooked to the name of it. The chopped and screwed version of the album was done by Michael "5000" Watts and released on October 28, 2008.
Cocaine is the thirteenth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on October 27, 2009, via Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Warner Bros. Records. Production was mostly handled by Z-Ro himself, alongside Bigg Tyme, Big E, and Beans N Kornbread. It features guest appearances from Chris Ward, Lil' Flip, Big Pokey, Billy Cook, Gucci Mane, Lil' O and Mike D. The album peaked at number 147 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
ABN or Assholes by Nature is an American hip hop duo, composed of Houston, Texas-based rappers Trae tha Truth and Z-Ro. They have so far released two studio albums Assholes by Nature (2003) and It Is What It Is (2008).
Heroin is the fourteenth solo studio album by American rapper Z-Ro. It was released on June 21, 2010, via Rap-A-Lot 4 Life/J. Prince Entertainment/Fontana Distribution. Recording sessions took place at M.A.D. Studios and at King Of The Ghetto Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Bigg Tyme, Big E, Steve Below and Z-Ro himself. It features guest appearances from Chris Ward, Billy Cook, Chamillionaire, Lil' Flip, Mike D, Mýa and Paul Wall. The album peaked at number 142 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
