"Gangsta's Paradise" is a single by American rapper Coolio, released on August 1, 1995 by Tommy Boy, Warner Bros. and MCA. Interpolating Stevie Wonder's song "Pastime Paradise" (1976), "Gangsta's Paradise" features vocals from American singer L.V. who served as a co-composer and co-lyricist with Coolio and Doug Rasheed, with Wonder also being credited for the composition and lyrics. Certified Platinum in October, the song was included on Coolio's second album, Gangsta's Paradise, in November 1995. Its music video was directed by Antoine Fuqua and featured Michelle Pfeiffer. The song is taken from Pfeiffer's movie, Dangerous Minds. The music video is also themed around the movie.
Get Lifted is the debut studio album by American singer John Legend. It was released by GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music, and Columbia Records on December 28, 2004 in the United States. The production on the album was handled by Legend's then-manager, Kanye West, who also served as the album's executive producer, as well as Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen. The album also features guest appearances by West, Snoop Dogg and Miri Ben-Ari.
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut studio album by American rapper Tony Yayo. It was released on August 30, 2005, through G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Sound One, at Integrated Studios, Sony Music Studios, G Unit Studios, Sound On Sound and Right Track Recording in New York, at 54 Sound in Detroit, at Encore Studios in Los Angeles and at Joi Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Focus..., Eminem, Black Jeruz, DJ Khalil, Domingo, Havoc, J. R. Rotem, LT Moe, Megahertz, Punch, Ron Browz, Sam Sneed, Sebb, Studio 44, and Sha Money XL, who also served as co-executive producer. It features guest appearances from fellow G-Unit members 50 Cent, who also served as executive producer, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Olivia and Spider Loc, as well as Eminem, Obie Trice, Jagged Edge, Joe and Kokane.
Dark Days, Bright Nights is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Bubba Sparxxx from Georgia. It was released on October 9, 2001 via Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, at the Frat House, Down the Hall Studios, 1210 Studios, Mix it in the Mix, and the Dungeon Recording Studio in Atlanta. Production was handled by Shannon Houchins, Timbaland, Khalifani, Organized Noize, and Gerald Hall. It features guest appearances from Timbaland, Backbone, Bohagon, C.I., Duddy Ken, Kosha, Sebastian and Sleepy Brown.
Legal Drug Money is the debut studio album by American hip hop group the Lost Boyz. It was released on June 4, 1996, via Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Greene St. Recording, Quad Recording Studios and D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Big Dex, Mr. Sex, Easy Mo Bee, Big L, "Buttnaked" Tim Dawg, Dwarf the Black Prince, Pete Rock, member Mr. Cheeks, and Charles Suitt serving as co-producer and executive producer.
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.
Whitey Ford Sings the Blues is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Everlast, and the first one following his departure from House of Pain. It was released on September 8, 1998, via Tommy Boy Records, a full eight years after his solo debut album Forever Everlasting and after he had a major heart attack. "Whitey Ford" in the album title refers to the New York Yankees pitcher of the same name.
Family Scriptures is the debut studio album by American hip hop collective Mo Thugs. It was released on November 5, 1996 via Mo Thugs/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Private Island Trax in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Krayzie Bone, who also served as executive producer together with Layzie Bone, Archie Blaine, Bobby Jones and Paul "Tombstone" O'Neil, with co-producers Gates and Sin. It features contributions from Flesh-n-Bone, II Tru, Ken Dawg, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Poetic Hustla'z, Souljah Boy, The Graveyard Shift, and Tré.
Neighborhood Watch is the third studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on April 6, 2004, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York, at Soundproof Recordings, at the Nodd Factor in Houston, at Larrabee West in West Hollywood, at Ameraycan Studios in North Hollywood, and at Record Plant in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, Kanye West, Nucleus, Rob "Reef" Tewlow and DJ AM. It features guest appearances from Defari, Devin the Dude, J. Rocc, Kanye West, Phil Da Agony and Planet Asia.
Diplomatic Immunity is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Diplomats, released via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's Diplomats Records.
Insomnia is a hip-hop compilation album presented by American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on April 23, 1996 via Interscope Records. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image, at the Music Palace, and at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York, and at Chuck Simone Studio. Production was handled primarily by Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Redman, and co-producers Rockwilder and Ty Fyffe. Beside Sermon, it features contributions from fellow artists affiliated with or discovered by him, such as Calif, Domo, Duo, Jamal, Keith Murray, L.O.D., Passion, Redman, The Wixtons, Xross-Breed, and Thomas "Tommy Gunn" Blincoe, who was murdered shortly before the album's release, and to whom this album is dedicated. The album peaked at number 53 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Funkorama", which peacked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, "It's That Hit" and "I Feel It".
Larry J. Sanders, known professionally as L.V., is an American singer. He is best known for his collaboration with rapper Coolio on the single "Gangsta's Paradise". He has released five solo albums and was a member of the gangsta rap group South Central Cartel since it formed, usually singing the choruses. In 2019, L.V. was featured by NBC News after the Los Angeles Police Department designated him as a gang member or associate for the purposes of a heavily criticized database.
Friday (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to F. Gary Gray's 1995 stoner film Friday. It was released on April 11, 1995, through Priority Records and consists of hip hop and R&B music.
Can You Feel Me is the third studio album by American rapper Dru Down. It was released in 1996 through C-Note/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Infinite Studios in Alameda, at Backroom Studios in Glendale, at Power Play Studios in Oakland, at The Grill in Emeryville, at Umoja Vibe, at Bosko's Digital Chicken And Beats in Los Angeles, and at Blackhole Studio near Los Angeles. Production was handled by DJ Fuze, Alonzo Jackson, Lev Berlak, The Whole 9, Maurice "Butch" Stewart, Big D the Impossible, Bosko, DJ Battlecat, DJ Daryl, Jamiel Hassan, Kenny McCloud, Soopafly and Terry T, with Chris "C&H" Hicks serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Luniz, Bootsy Collins, Eklipze, Knucklehead, L.V., Nick Nac, Poppa LQ and T-Luni. The album peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 14 on the Top R&B Albums chart in the United States. It spawned two singles: "Can You Feel Me" and "Baby Bubba". Its lead single reached #92 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Six is the sixth and final studio album by American hip hop group Whodini and their first and only record released via Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. It was released in 1996 along with the single "Keep Running Back". Audio production was handled by Dave Atkinson, Red Spyda, Carl So-Lowe, and Jermaine Dupri, who also served as executive producer.
I Am... Sasha Fierce is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 12, 2008, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment.
Gangsta's Paradise is the second studio album by American rapper Coolio, released on November 7, 1995. It is Coolio's best-selling album, with over two million copies sold in the United States. The album produced three singles, which became hits: the title track, "1, 2, 3, 4 ", and "Too Hot".
Dark Sky Paradise is the third studio album by American rapper Big Sean. It was released on February 24, 2015, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Kanye West, E-40, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Jhené Aiko, Lil Wayne, and Ariana Grande, while the production was handled by a variety of collaborators, including Kanye West, DJ Mustard, DJ Dahi and Key Wane, who also serves as the album's executive producer alongside Big Sean himself. The album was supported by five singles: "I Don't Fuck with You", "Paradise", "Blessings", "One Man Can Change the World" and "Play No Games".
Grateful is the tenth studio album by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled, released as a double album on June 23, 2017 by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from a wide array of artists including Future, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Migos, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, Kodak Black, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Drake, Rihanna, Sizzla, Mavado, Nas, Calvin Harris, PartyNextDoor, Jeremih, Pusha T, and Betty Wright, among others.
h is the debut self-titled album by Japanese producer DJ Honda. It was released on July 1, 1995 via Sony Records in Japan and on July 2, 1996 via Relativity Records worldwide. Audio production of the album was solely handled by DJ Honda, except for two tracks of its Japanese version co-produced with DJ Aladdin. It featured guest appearances from various hip hop artists, including Afrika Bambaataa, Biz Markie, Common, Def Jef, Donald D, Erick Sermon, Fat Joe, Gang Starr, Grand Puba, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Prince Whipper Whip, Redman, Sadat X, Tha Alkaholiks and The Beatnuts among others.
