Worldwide Underground is the third studio album by American singer Erykah Badu, released September 16, 2003, by Motown Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003, following Badu's period of writer's block, and her performances during the Frustrated Artist Tour. Production was handled primarily by the production group Freakquency , consisting of Badu, Rashad Smith, James Poyser, and RC Williams. Prominently influenced by old-school 1970s and 80s hip hop, soul, R&B and funk elements, the album features an unconventional musical structure; the songwriting took a path of somewhat less subliminal, metaphorical lyrics than Badu’s previous work, expressing more lighthearted feelings, instead. The album’s content mainly focused on the general state of hip hop culture, reminiscing on good times, friends, partying, young love, “hood life”, and some references to gang culture. The album features appearances from artists Dead Prez, Common, Queen Latifah, Bahamadia, and singer Angie Stone.
Donell Jones is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He met record producer Eddie F in the mid-1990s and signed with his record label Untouchables Entertainment, beginning his career as a songwriter for its parent label, LaFace Records. He signed with the label as a recording act to release his debut studio album, My Heart (1996), which was met with lukewarm commercial reception despite yielding his first Billboard Hot 100 entries with its singles "In the Hood", and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet."
Journey of a Gemini is the fourth studio album by American singer Donell Jones. It was released by LaFace Records and Jive Records on June 20, 2006 in the United States. Pushed back numerous times due to record label complications of the Sony–BMG merger, the album was released to critical acclaim and became Jones' highest charting album on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart where it topped at number one, while entering the top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was originally scheduled to be released December 20, 2005 under the title Where I Wanna Be: The Last Chapter, the sequel to his studio album Where I Wanna Be (1999), but was finally released in the summer of the following year.
"Make Love" is a song performed by American recording artist and songwriter Keri Hilson. It was written by Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones, Ester Dean, and Jason Perry, and produced by Polow da Don and Perry for Hilson's debut studio album, In a Perfect World... (2009). The song was sent for urban adult contemporary airplay on June 23, 2009, as the fifth single from the album. Musically, "Make Love" is a downtempo R&B ballad. The song received mixed reviews from music critics; some of them criticized its long length and Hilson's vocals, while others named it one of the album's standouts.
Where I Wanna Be is the second studio album by American R&B singer Donell Jones. It was released by LaFace Records and Arista Records on October 12, 1999, in the United States. The follow-up to his debut album My Heart (1996), it became his most successful album to date, having gone platinum, and produced three singles, including the worldwide hit "U Know What's Up", Donell's biggest hit single to date, peaking inside the top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 and at number two on the UK Singles Chart. The album also includes the UK hit "Shorty ", the minor R&B/Hip Hop hit "This Luv" and the US smash hit, soulful ballad and title track, "Where I Wanna Be".
Life Goes On is the third studio album by American R&B singer Donell Jones. It was released by LaFace Records and Arista Records on June 4, 2002, in the United States. The album featured two singles, "You Know that I Love You", which was a minor hit in both the US and the UK and "Put Me Down", a more popular non-album version featuring Styles P and Lady May. The album reached number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and went gold. On September 16, 2003, Arista Records re-released Life Goes On with the bonus track, "I'll Go", which first appeared on the Love & Basketball soundtrack.
Block Music is the second solo studio album by American rapper Shawnna. It was released on June 6, 2006 on Def Jam South Recordings and Disturbing tha Peace. Production was handled by several record producers, including Vudu, 110% Pure, Chucky Thompson, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and Salaam Remi. It features guest appearances from Buddy Guy, Ludacris, Avant, Bobby V, I-20, Johnny P., Lil Wayne, Malik Yusef, Pharrell Williams, Shareefa, Smoke of Field Mob, Syleena Johnson, Too Short, 8Ball & MJG. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, "Gettin' Some", was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Director is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer Avant. It was released by Geffen Records on April 25, 2006 in the United States. The album marked Avant's first project to include a diverse roster of collaborators, breaking away from the formular on previous album which saw musician Steve "Stone" Huff contributing most material. Production on Director comes courtesy on of the likes of Bryan Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Ron Fair, Rodney Jerkins, Tricky Stewart, and The Underdogs.
"Lie About Us" is a song recorded by American singer Avant from his fourth studio album Director (2006), featuring American singer Nicole Scherzinger. The song was written by Beau Dozier and Bruce Boniface and its production was handled by Dozier and Ron Fair. The track was inspired by the time Dozier had a secret affair with singer Joss Stone while being in a relationship. In the neo soul song the lyrics chronicles the man's promise to the mistress and come clean about the relationship. It was released as the album's fourth single on July 31, 2006 to urban contemporary stations in the United States. An accompanying music video was released several days earlier and portrays the artists as love interests.
"Blindfold Me" is a hip hop song by American singer Kelis from her fourth studio album, Kelis Was Here (2006). It was written and produced by Sean Garrett and Polow da Don. A remix, featuring American rapper Nas, was released as the album's second single in the United States on October 3, 2006. Although the Neptunes were long-time collaborators of Kelis, Kelis Was Here was her first album without their involvement as she opted for a more diverse team of record producers, which included Garrett and Polow da Don.
"Back & Forth" is the debut single performed by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). The song was written and produced by R&B singer R. Kelly, and lyrically the song is about a teenager's excitement for partying on the weekend with friends. "Back and Forth" has been described as being a dance/pop/R&B and new jack swing song. Aaliyah sings in a "laid back" style. Blackground and Jive released the song as the album's lead single on April 8, 1994, to generally positive reviews with many critics praising the song's lyrical content and Aaliyah's vocal delivery on the record.
American rapper Jim Jones has released seven studio albums, five collaborative albums, three compilation albums, two extended plays (EPs), nineteen mixtapes and 47 singles. Jones is perhaps best known for being a member of East Coast hip hop group The Diplomats, with whom he recorded several mixtapes with before releasing their debut album Diplomatic Immunity, in 2003. In August 2004, Jones released his solo debut album On My Way to Church, under Diplomat Records and E1 Music. The album was preceded by the release of the singles "Certified Gangstas" and "Crunk Muzik", the latter of which features his Dipset-cohorts Juelz Santana and Cam'ron, and also supported the release of Dipset's second album Diplomatic Immunity 2 (2004).
Just Add Water is the third studio album by American rapper Suga Free. It was released on May 9, 2006 through Laneway/Bungalo Records. Production was handled by Ricky "Freeze" Smith, J. Classic, Big Saccs, Kenny McCloud, Blaqthoven, Poochie Ross, Josef Leimberg, J. Steez, Daisuke Miyachi and Mannie Fresh. It features guest appearances from Blaqthoven, Katt Williams, Infra-Red, Snoop Dogg, Asami Yoshida, Cody Elles, Debra Edwards, Jeff Jeff, Klu Dogg, Knoc-turn'al, Kokane, Lil' ½ Dead, Marlon, Mike Mike, Mr. Short Khop and Strange. It peaked at number 194 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 42 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Signature is the eighth studio album by American R&B singer Joe. It was released by Kedar Entertainment on July 14, 2009 in the United States. Incorporating cuts from his previous album, Joe Thomas, New Man (2008), the album features ballads written, produced, and arranged by Joe. Besides Joe, frequent collaborator Joshua P. Thompson is credits as a producer on the album.
The Point of It All is the fourth studio album by American singer Anthony Hamilton. It was released on December 16, 2008, by Mister's Music, So So Def Recordings, and Zomba. The album's production was handled by Hamilton himself along with Mark Batson, Kevin Wooten, Dre & Vidal, James "Big Jim" Wright and Salaam Remi, among others.
Maximum Strength is the tenth solo studio album by American rapper KRS-One. It was released on June 10, 2008 via Koch Records. Production was handled by Duane "DaRock" Ramos, James Desmond, Dirt, Oh No and Ser Kenoe, with Simone Parker serving as executive producer. The name Maximum Strength was originally the title for an album recorded by KRS-One in 1998-1999 for Jive Records that still remains unreleased. When promoting this album in 2008 it was said to finally be a release of the shelved LP and the label even posted track lists and cover very different from the final release.
Versus is the first EP by American singer Usher. It was released on July 20, 2010 on LaFace Records and Jive Records in conjunction with the deluxe edition of his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond. Several producers contributed to the production of the EP, including Polow da Don, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Drumma Boy, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Max Martin. Versus is marked as "the last chapter of Raymond v. Raymond", and follows the theme of Usher exploring around the subjects of being newly single and a father.
Passion, Pain & Pleasure is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz; it was released on September 14, 2010. The album serves as a follow-up to his commercial breakthrough Ready (2009). Production for the album took place from March 2010 to July 2010 and was handled by several record producers, including his mentor Troy Taylor, Bryan-Michael Cox, Stargate and Mario Winans, among others.
Something Big is the sixth studio album by American duo Mary Mary. It was released on March 29, 2011 by Columbia Records. Originally set to be released on December 14, 2010 under the title OMG, it was not released until 2011. Something Big was primarily written by Mary Mary and produced by Warryn Campbell, along with Jazz Nixon, Gerald Haddon and LaMar "Mars" Edwards.
Forever is the sixth studio album by R&B singer Donell Jones. It was released on July 9, 2013, through eOne Music. The album debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 with sales of 12,000 copies.
