Aquemini is the third studio album by the American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on September 29, 1998, by LaFace Records and Arista Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius and Gemini, which is indicative of the album's recurring theme of the differing personalities of the two members. The group recorded the majority of the album in Bobby Brown's Bosstown Recording Studios and Doppler Studios, both in Atlanta, Georgia.
Michael Eugene Archer, better known by his stage name D'Angelo, is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He first garnered attention after co-producing the single "U Will Know" for R&B supergroup Black Men United. His debut studio album, Brown Sugar (1995), was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received widespread acclaim from music critics, who have credited the album for ushering in the neo soul movement. His third single, "Lady", reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
The College Dropout is the debut studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released on February 10, 2004, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. In the years leading up to release, West had received praise for his production work for rappers such as Jay-Z and Talib Kweli, but faced difficulty being accepted as an artist in his own right by figures in the music industry. Intent on pursuing a solo career, he signed a record deal with Roc-A-Fella and recorded the album over a period of four years, beginning in 1999.
Straight Outta Cashville is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Young Buck. It was released on August 24, 2004 via G-Unit/Interscope Records. The album's title alludes to the N.W.A's 1988 album Straight Outta Compton and is a neologism for the artist's hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.
The Red Light District is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ludacris. It was released on December 7, 2004, through Disturbing tha Peace/Def Jam South. The album's title refers to an urban tourist district where the standard industry is prostitution. The CD is accompanied by a 41-minute DVD made by Decon of Ludacris visiting the red-light district, a cannabis grow-room, an adult 'cam-house' and the recording of the Red Light District CD/DVD promo concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Tha Last Meal is the fifth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released through No Limit, Doggy Style, and Priority Records on December 19, 2000. It was his third and final studio album released on No Limit, marking this record his first album on his newly founded label, called Doggy Style, alongside Priority in the United States. The album title makes reference to being the last record partially owned by his former label, Death Row Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Soopafly, among others. The album includes four official singles: "Snoop Dogg ", "Lay Low", "Loosen' Control", and "Wrong Idea". The album was generally met with positive reception with many critics citing it as one of his best albums.
Idlewild is the sixth and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Outkast. It was released on August 22, 2006, by LaFace Records and served as the soundtrack album to the duo's musical film of the same name, which was released that same month. Containing themes relating to the music industry, the album also featured songs not included in the film while incorporating jazz, blues, swing, and soul styles in its music.
The Day After is the fifth studio album by American rapper Twista. It was released on October 4, 2005 via Atlantic Records. The follow-up to his 2004 breakthrough album Kamikaze, the album marked Twista's first project without contribution from longtime collaborator The Legendary Traxster. Instead, he worked with a variety of new collaborators on the album, including Bigg D, Mr. Collipark, Cuxo, Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins, Jim Jonsin, R. Kelly, The Neptunes, Scott Storch, and Toxic.
La Bella Mafia is the third studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on March 4, 2003, by Atlantic Records. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling one million copies in the United States.
The Charm is the third studio album by American hip hop recording artist Bubba Sparxxx from Georgia. It was released on April 4, 2006 via Purple Ribbon Records and Virgin Records, a follow-up to Deliverance. Unlike the previous installments, it is the first album to have very little input from Timbaland, with production being handled and provided by Mr. Collipark and Organized Noize, and Big Boi serving as executive producer on the album. The guest appearances featured on the album were fellow rappers Cool Breeze, Petey Pablo, Duddy Ken, Killer Mike and the Ying Yang Twins, and singers Frankie J, Scar and Sleepy Brown.
World Party is the third studio album by the American hip hop quartet Goodie Mob. It was released on December 21, 1999 via LaFace/Arista Records. Recording sessions took place at the Dungeon in SWATS, at Studio 56 in Los Angeles, at Lion's Den Studio and Unique Recording Studios in New York City, at Stankonia Recording, DARP Studios, Silent Sound Studios, Songbird Studios, PatchWerk Recording Studios and Doppler Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Organized Noize, Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, CeeLo Green, Coptic, Cyptron, Dallas Austin, Derrick Trotman, Easy Mo Bee, Kanye West, Mr. DJ, Rondal Rucker and T-Mo. It features guest appearances from Backbone, Sleepy Brown, Big Boi, Joi and TLC. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. On January 24, 2000, it received Gold status by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 500,000 copies.
Hoodstar is the third studio album by the hip hop artist Chingy, following the release of Powerballin'. Released on September 19, 2006, the disc is split into two sides with different musical styles. While the "Hood" segment has the tracks "Hands Up" and "Cadillac Door", "Star" has more uptempo and club-oriented tracks like "Brand New Kicks" and "Dem Jeans". The guest features are by Three 6 Mafia, Chopper and Chingy's cousin Young Spiffy. The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, the Trak Starz, Mannie Fresh, Mr. Collipark and the dance group Hoodstarz, among others. The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 9 with first week sales of 77,000 copies in the US. It was certified Gold by RIAA for shipping over 500,000 copies in the US.
Hell Hath No Fury is the third studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on November 28, 2006 in the United States by Re-Up, Star Trak and Jive. Recording sessions for the album took place over a period of several years, and suffered numerous delays prior to release. Production was handled by The Neptunes.
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.
Outkast was an American hip hop duo formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992, consisting of rappers Big Boi and André 3000. The duo achieved both critical and commercial success from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, helping to popularize Southern hip hop with their intricate lyricism, memorable melodies, and positive themes, while experimenting with a diverse range of genres such as funk, psychedelia, jazz, and techno. Outkast are widely regarded as among the most influential hip hop artists of all time.
Love Me Back is the second studio album by American R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan. It was released by J Records on November 30, 2010 in the United States. The follow-up to her 2008 debut album Fearless, Sullivan reteamed with producers Salaam Remi, Missy Elliott, her protégé Cainon Lamb and duo Carvin & Ivan to work on the album. New collaborated included Anthony Bel, Chuck Harmony, Los da Mystro, Bei Maejor, No I.D., and Prolyfic as well as singer Ne-Yo. Sullivan co-wrote every song on Love Me Back.
Rolling Papers is the third studio album by American rapper Wiz Khalifa. It was released on March 29, 2011, by Atlantic Records and Rostrum Records. It is his first album under a major label after his independent releases, Show and Prove and Deal or No Deal. The album features guest appearances from Too $hort, Curren$y and Chevy Woods. Rolling Papers was supported by five singles: "Black and Yellow", "Roll Up", "On My Level", "No Sleep" and "The Race". The album has been noted by music writers for having a pop rap style.
Finally Famous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big Sean. It was released on June 28, 2011, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place from 2010 to 2011, with Kanye West serving as the only executive producer on the album. The record serves as Big Sean's first studio release, under the whole Finally Famous series, following these mixtapes such as Finally Famous Vol. 1: The Mixtape (2007), Finally Famous Vol. 2: UKNOWBIGSEAN (2009) and Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big (2010).
Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics is the thirty-eighth and final studio album by American recording artist Aretha Franklin and was released on October 17, 2014. It features ten covers of songs made famous by female recording artists.
The Lost Tapes 2 is a compilation album by American rapper Nas, released on July 19, 2019 by Mass Appeal Records and Def Jam Recordings. It is the sequel to the compilation album The Lost Tapes, released in 2002. The Lost Tapes 2 features unreleased tracks from Nas’ last four studio albums: Hip Hop Is Dead (2006), Untitled (2008), Life Is Good (2012) and the album scrapped in favor of Nasir (2018). It includes production from producers such as RZA, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, No I.D., Pete Rock and The Alchemist, among others.
