The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on November 14, 2003, by Roc-A-Fella Records. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2006. For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, The Neptunes, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others.
Capital Punishment is the debut studio album released by rapper Big Pun. Released on April 28, 1998, it is the only album released during his lifetime. The album peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 charts and #1 on the Top R&B Albums chart for two weeks. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, but lost to Jay-Z's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It was also the first solo Latin hip hop record to go Platinum.
Live and Let Die is the third and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, which was released November 24, 1992, on Cold Chillin'. The album features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, and Bushwick Bill. The singles "Ill Street Blues" and "On the Run" both received consistent airplay on Yo! MTV Raps, and BET's Rap City upon the album's release.
Funke, Funke Wisdom is the fourth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1991 via Jive Records, making it the rapper's final album on the label. Production of the record was handled by Teddy Riley, Dale Hogan, Keith Spencer and Kool Moe Dee. The album peaked at #72 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It spawned three singles: "How Kool Can One Black Man Be", "Death Blow" and "Rise 'N' Shine".
Reel to Reel is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on October 20, 1992 through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Power Play Studios in Long Island City, at Chung King House of Metal and at The Hit Factory in New York. Production was handled primarily by Grand Puba, along with Stimulated Dummies, Anthony Latief King, DJ Shabazz, Kid Capri and The Brand New Heavies.
Wegonfunkwichamind is the second studio album by American rapper Big Mello from Houston, Texas. It was released on April 25, 1994 via Rap-A-Lot Records.
Joe Budden is the eponymous debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, although the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly is the sixth studio album by the Houston hip hop group the Geto Boys, released in late 1998 on Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records.
The Sweet James Jones Stories is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Pimp C. It was released on March 1, 2005 through Rap-A-Lot Records, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House of Hits, Noddfactor Studios and Hiroshima Studios. Composed of fourteen tracks, the production was handled by eleven record producers, including Mike Dean, Mr. Lee and N.O. Joe. The album features guest appearances from ABN, Bun B, Cory Mo, Devin the Dude, Lil' Flip and Twista.
Phantom of the Rapra is the second solo studio album by American rapper Bushwick Bill. It was released on July 11, 1995 through Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Noo Trybe Records. Recording sessions took place at Lil J's Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, John Bido, Clement Burnette, John "Swift" Catalon, CJ Mac and Freddie Young with executive producer J. Prince. It features guest appearances from 3D, CJ Mac, Menace Clan and Sherm.
Tongues is the eighth studio album by American rapper Esham. It was released in 2001 via Gothom, marking the return of Esham's old horror/devil sound. It features guest appearances from Natas, The Dayton Family, Kool Keith, Violent J of Insane Clown Posse, Brittany Hurd, Heather Hunter, Jill O'Neil, Mujahid and Santos. The album peaked at #195 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States.
Somethin' Serious is the 1994 debut solo studio album by American rapper Big Mike of the Geto Boys. It was released in 1994 via Rap-A-Lot Records. Production of the album was handled by N.O. Joe, Troy Clark, Pimp C, John Bido, Mike Dean, Crazy C and Mike B. It also features guest appearances from UGK, Scarface and Mr. 3-2. The album peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200 chart and at #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It launched the charting single "World of Mind", which peaked at #45 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Last Man Standing is the third studio album by American rapper MC Eiht, and his first solo album outside the Compton's Most Wanted brand. It was released on November 11, 1997 through Epic Street. Recording sessions took place at X Factor Studios, Echo Sound, Half Oz. Studios, Skip Saylor Recording, and Track Record in California. Production was handled by MC Eiht, DJ Slip, DJ Muggs, Massive and Daz Dillinger. It features guest appearances from Boom Bam, Big Nasty, B-Real, Da Foe, Daz Dillinger, Hie Tiimes, Lil' Hawk and Mon-Diggi. The album peaked at number 64 on the Billboard 200 and at number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier is second solo studio album by American rapper Willie D. It was released on September 15, 1992 through Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Priority Records. Recording session took place at Track Design Studios and at Ultimate Sound Studios in Houston. Production was handled by Crazy C, Goldfingers, John Bido, Roland and Willie D.
Rigormortiz is the debut album by rapper DMG. It was released on June 1, 1993 through Rap-a-Lot and Priority Records and featured production from Mike Dean, N.O. Joe and DMG's mentor Scarface. The album made it to 40 on the R&B charts and 22 on the Heatseekers chart. "You Don't Hear Me Doe" was released as a single and had a promotional music video shot for it.
Usual Suspects is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group 5th Ward Boyz. It was released on November 18, 1997 through Rap-A-Lot Records. Recording sessions took place at Hippie House Studios and Digital Services in Houston and at the Enterprise in Burbank. Production was handled by Mike Dean, who had produced the majority of the group's previous three albums, Leroy "Mr. Lee" Williams, Freddie Young, Scarface, Flip, John Bido, and the 5th Ward Boyz themselves. It features guest appearances from Mr. Slimm of 5th Ward Juvenilez, Do or Die, Devin the Dude, Johnny P, Scarface, Spice 1, Willie D, 8Ball & MJG.
Leland Tyler Wayne, professionally known as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and DJ. Raised in St. Louis, Wayne began a production career while in high school and became known for his successful recordings with Atlanta hip hop and trap artists such as Future, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, and Migos in the mid-2010s. In 2017, Forbes called him "easily one of the most in-demand hitmakers in the world," while Stereogum described him as "one of the most original, vivid, important voices in rap right now."
SremmLife is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd. It was released on January 6, 2015, by Ear Drummer Records and Interscope Records. The album was supported five singles: "No Flex Zone", "No Type", "Throw Sum Mo" featuring Nicki Minaj and Young Thug, "This Could Be Us" and "Come Get Her".
Victory Lap is the only studio album by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on February 16, 2018 through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. It was Nipsey Hussle's first major commercial release after releasing a string of mixtapes for thirteen years as well as his only full-length album released during his lifetime. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units; it reached a new peak of number two in April 2019, following Hussle's death. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.
