"Luv U Better" is a song by LL Cool J, released as the lead single from his ninth studio album, 10 (2002). Released on August 13, 2002, by Def Jam Recordings, it was produced by The Neptunes and features additional vocals from Marc Dorsey. "Luv U Better" was a huge success in the United States, reaching the top five of three major Billboard charts: it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Hot Rap Tracks, and number one the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"4, 3, 2, 1" is a song by Queens rapper LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, Canibus and DMX from LL Cool J's seventh album Phenomenon as the second single. It was released on December 9, 1997, for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by LL Cool J and Erick Sermon. The single featured an extended version not featured on the album featuring an additional verse from Southern hip hop rapper Master P. Both the original song and the extended cut had accompanying music videos. The song peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 10 on the Hot Rap Singles and number 24 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Headsprung" is a song by American hip hop artist LL Cool J. It was released on June 7, 2004 as the lead single from his eleventh album, The DEFinition. The song was a success on the charts, it peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 4 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Paradise" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring American singer Amerie. The song was released on December 14, 2002, as the second single from LL Cool J's ninth studio album, 10 (2002). It also appears on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva, in which LL Cool J stars alongside Gabrielle Union. Singer Tweet was originally slated to provide vocals but Amerie was eventually chosen instead. On the August 12, 2022 edition of The Breakfast Club, 50 Cent revealed that he ghostwritten LL’s verses on the song. "Paradise" embodies portions of Keni Burke's 1982 song "Risin' to the Top", penned by Burke, Allan Felder, and Norma Jean Wright.
"How High" is a song by American hip hop duo Method Man & Redman, released on August 15, 1995, as the duo's first single. It was originally featured on the soundtrack to the 1995 hip hop documentary film, The Show, and has since appeared on several compilation albums such as The Hip Hop Box and Def Jam's Greatest Hits, among several others. The song, produced by Erick Sermon, is the first official collaboration from longtime friends and East Coast rappers Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan and Redman of Def Squad, marking their debut as a duo. The song performed exceptionally well commercially, reaching number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single has since been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
"Whateva Man" is the second single released for Redman's third album, Muddy Waters. It is a mellow track produced by and featuring Erick Sermon, although he is not in the video. Method Man and Keith Murray appear in the video, although they are not on the song. It reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the most popular single from Muddy Waters. It was included in the 1997 version of The Source Presents: Hip Hop Hits. A remixed version can be found on Too Short's Nationwide: Independence Day compilation. Pete Rock also contributed a remix for possible inclusion on the single; however, it was relegated to exclusive radio play. The video is a parody of the film The Blues Brothers.
"Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" is the lead single from rapper Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The song features production by Rockwilder, including guest vocals by Amil and Beanie Sigel.
Release Some Tension is the third studio album by American R&B vocal group SWV. It was released by RCA Records on July 29, 1997. The album guest appearances by E-40, Puff Daddy, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Foxy Brown, Lil' Cease, Lil' Kim, Snoop Dogg and Redman. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies in the United States.
"Jigga My Nigga" is a single by Jay-Z from the Ruff Ryders Entertainment compilation Ryde or Die Vol. 1. It was released on May 28, 1999. It also appeared as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth album, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, contained within the final track "Hova Song (Outro)". Produced by Swizz Beatz, it reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song interpolates "Just You Just Me" by The Counts and "What's My Name?" by Snoop Dogg, using the line "what's my motherfuckin' name?". The beat was later remade for "Scenario 2000" by Eve featuring Ruff Ryders.
"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" is the debut solo single by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It was written and composed by Don Bryant, Bernard "Bernie" Miller, Elliott, and producer Timbaland for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997) and contains a sample of Ann Peebles' 1973 single "I Can't Stand the Rain", whose lyrics serve as the chorus.
"You and Me" is a song by LL Cool J, released as a single from his ninth album, G.O.A.T.. It was released on October 17, 2000 for Def Jam Recordings, was produced by DJ Scratch and LL Cool J, and featured R&B singer Kelly Price. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard's Hot Rap Singles and #59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Use Your Heart" is a song by American R&B trio SWV, released on July 23, 1996 as the second single from their album, New Beginning (1996). Written and produced by The Neptunes, the song contains a sample of "If It Don't Turn You On ", performed by B.T. Express, and became the first song produced by the duo to chart.
"Rain" is a 1998 single released by the group SWV. The musical backing track is based on Jaco Pastorius's "Portrait of Tracy". Released as the fourth and final single from the group's third album Release Some Tension, the song peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number 7 on the US Hot R&B Singles chart. Singer and actor Tyrese Gibson appeared in the song's 1998 music video, directed by Darren Grant, and would later sing the hook on rapper Chingy's 2006 hit song "Pullin' Me Back", which samples "Rain".
"Symphony 2000" is the lead single released from EPMD's sixth album, Out of Business. The song was produced by Erick Sermon and featured verses from EPMD's labelmates, Method Man & Redman and Lady Luck. "Symphony 2000" was EPMD's last charting single making it to the R&B and rap charts.
"Steelo" is the debut single by American R&B group 702 recorded for the group's debut album No Doubt (1996). The song, which features hip hop artist Missy Elliott, was released as the first single for the album on August 27, 1996.
"Someone" is a song by American R&B group SWV, released as the second single from their third studio album Release Some Tension on June 24, 1997. It features a guest appearance from American rapper and producer Sean Combs. The song samples "Ten Crack Commandments" and "The World is Filled..." both by The Notorious B.I.G., from his album Life After Death, which had been released five months earlier. "Someone" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, receiving a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. In Canada and New Zealand, the single reached number 28, and in the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 34; it is to date SWV's last charting single in all three countries.
"It's All About U" is a song by SWV, released on November 12, 1996 as the third single from their second album, New Beginning (1996). The song was written and produced by Allen "Allstar" Gordon. The song found all three members taking lead, but Taj took predominant lead as opposed to Coko.
"Can We" is a song by American R&B trio SWV featuring guest vocals from Missy Elliott and production by Timbaland and Elliott. The song was eventually included on SWV's third album, Release Some Tension (1997), but was originally a hit earlier in the year when it was included on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Booty Call.
"Ya Di Ya" is a song by American R&B singer, Gina Thompson. It features guest vocals by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and was released as the lead single from Thompson's unreleased album, If You Only Knew (1999).
"Anything" is a song recorded by American R&B vocal trio SWV for their debut studio album, It's About Time (1992) and the soundtrack to the 1994 film Above the Rim. It was written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan.
