Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big L, and the only to be released during his lifetime. It was released on March 28, 1995, by Columbia Records. The recording sessions took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York, in mid-to-late 1994. The album was produced by Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, and Craig Boogie. The album title is a play on the television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
The Big Picture is the second studio album by American rapper Big L. The album was slated for a 1999 release, but due to Big L's murder, it was posthumously released on August 1, 2000, on Rawkus Records. It was incomplete at the time of Big L's death, and was posthumously completed by his manager and partner in Flamboyant Entertainment, Rich King. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at D&D Studios in New York City, New York throughout 1998 and early 1999. It was produced by DJ Premier, Ron Browz, Ron G, Lord Finesse, Pete Rock, Shomari, Mike Heron, Ysae, and Showbiz. The Big Picture features appearances from Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Guru, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, 2Pac, Sadat X, and more. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in October 2000.
Loyalty is the fifth studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on November 12, 2002, via Terror Squad/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios and TMF Studios in New York, PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami. Production was handled by Cool & Dre, Alchemist, Armageddon, Buckwild, Chink Santana, Irv Gotti, Larry "Precision" Gates, Ron Browz, Teflon and Ty Fyffe. It features guest appearances from fellow Terror Squad members Tony Sunshine, Remy Ma, Armageddon and Prospect, as well as Birdman, Ginuwine, Lamagic, Ronda Blackwell and Scarface.
500 Degreez is the third solo studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on July 23, 2002, through Cash Money Records and Universal Records. The album was titled in continuation of the naming sequence of successful 1998's 400 Degreez album by fellow Hot Boys rapper and ex-labelmate Juvenile.
Get Money, Stay True is the third solo studio album by American rapper Paul Wall. It was released on April 3, 2007, via Swishahouse, Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. Production was handled by Mr. Lee, Drumma Boy, Jermaine Dupri, KLC, Russel "Aaddict" Howard and Zach Burke, with LRoc serving as co-producer. It features guest appearances from Crys Wall, Yung Redd, E Class, Freeway, Jermaine Dupri, Jon B., Juelz Santana, Lil' Keke, Snoop Dogg and Trina, as well as Paul Wall's short-lived hip hop supergroup Expensive Taste.
Lyricist Lounge 2 is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of Lyricist Lounge album series, based on New York's Lyricist Lounge showcases.
Mystics of the God is the debut studio album by American rapper King Just. It was released in 1995 via Blackfist/Select Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Unique Recording Studios and Battery Studios in New York, Yo Mama's House in Los Angeles and Skanless Studios in Alhambra, California. Production was handled by Marcus Peake, E-Swift, RNS, Easy Mo Bee, MZA and Victor Flowers. It features guest appearances from the Shaolin Soldiers and Mega Don.
4,5,6 is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Kool G Rap. It was released on September 26, 1995, via Cold Chillin' Records. The album's title signifies the winning combination at the urban street game of cee-lo.
Straight Up Sewaside is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Das EFX. It was released on November 16, 1993 via East West Records. Recording sessions took place at Northshore Soundworks in Commack, New York. Production was handled by Solid Scheme and Charlie Marotta, with PMD serving as executive producer. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It was supported with two singles, "Freakit" and "Baknaffek". Its lead single, "Freakit", was released on October 21, 1993 and made it to number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Future Is Now is the only studio album by the American hip hop group Non Phixion. It was released on March 26, 2002, via Uncle Howie/Landspeed Records. Recording sessions took place at Fast Forward Studios, D&D Studios, No Mystery Studios, Battery Studios, Area 51 and Chung King House Of Metal in New York, and at the Music Grinder in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Necro, Large Professor, Dave 1, DJ Premier, JuJu, Pete Rock and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Christian Olde Wolbers, Marley Metal, MF Doom, Moonshine, Necro, Raymond Herrera, Stephen Carpenter and The Beatnuts. The album's cover art was created by Mear One, and the logo is a tribute to Canadian metal band Voivod.
Warriorz is the fourth full-length studio album released by M.O.P., a hip hop duo composed of emcees Billy Danze and Lil' Fame. The album was released on October 10, 2000. Despite the growing popularity of M.O.P., this album marked their last major-label-affiliated release. Loud Records folded in 2002 and M.O.P. did not follow other Loud artists to Columbia Records. Warriorz is M.O.P.'s most successful album by far. It debuted 65 places higher on the Billboard 200 charts than its previously highest-selling album, First Family 4 Life.
Blue Funk is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Heavy D & the Boyz. It was released on December 22, 1992 via Uptown Records. Recording sessions took place at The Hit Factory, Soundtrack Studios, Axis Studios, Greene St. Recording and D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Jesse West, Pete Rock, Tony Dofat, DJ Premier, Skeff Anselm, Steely & Clevie, with DJ Eddie F, Heavy D and Puff Daddy serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from 3rd Eye, Busta Rhymes, Gang Starr, Notorious B.I.G., Phat Doug and Rob-O. The album peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 and number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 17, 1993 for selling 500,000 units in the US alone.
"Let's Get Down" is a song by American rapper Bow Wow, released on June 24, 2003 as the first single off his third album Unleashed (2003). The song was written by Shad Moss, Phalon Alexander, Rahman Griffin and a then-unknown T.I. It was produced by Jazze Pha and features rapper Birdman under his former alias "Baby". It's the first song to be released by Bow Wow without the "Lil'" moniker in his name after making his film debut in 2002's Like Mike and releasing his cover of "Basketball" for the film's soundtrack. Bow Wow said that following the name change, he wanted to do the same with his music by contributing more into the songwriting process of the album and release a single that matched his new image.
Violator: The Album, V2.0 is the second and final installment in the Violator hip hop compilations series. It was released on July 24, 2001 through Violator/Loud Records as a sequel to 1999's Violator: The Album. Production was handled by several record producers, including Scott Storch, Bink!, Bryce Wilson, Irv Gotti, Just Blaze, 7 Aurelius, and Eric Nicks, who also served as executive producer together with Chris Lighty. It features guest appearances by the likes of JoJo Pellegrino, Remy Ma, Capone-N-Noreaga, Butch Cassidy, Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, CeeLo Green, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Kurupt, Memphis Bleek, Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Spliff Star and Styles P among others. The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Artifacts. It was released on October 25, 1994, via Big Beat/Atlantic Records. The recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios in New York, except for the song "Cummin' Thru Ya Fuckin' Block", which was recorded at Chung King Studios. The album was produced by T-Ray, Buckwild, Drew and Redman, with co-producers Rockwilder and Artifacts. It features guest appearances from Jay Burns Jaya, Redman and Busta Rhymes.
Cloud 9 is the second album by Nine, released on August 6, 1996 through Profile Records. The album spawned the lead single "Lyin' King" to promote the album. The album had mixed reviews. The album peaked at number #45 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.
"Far From Yours" is a song by American rapper O.C. featuring American R&B singer Yvette Michele. It was released in July 1997 via Payday/FFRR Records as the second single from O.C.'s second solo studio album Jewelz. Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording Studios in New York. Production was handled by Buckwild, who utilizes samples from "Tomorrow" by The Brothers Johnson and "For the Listeners" by Eric B. & Rakim.
Fear Itself is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Casual. It was released on February 1, 1994, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place between July 1992 and February 1993 at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, California. The album was produced by Casual and fellow Hieroglyphics Crew members Domino, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Jay-Biz. It features guest appearances from Del the Funky Homosapien, Pep Love and Saafir. The album debuted at number 108 on the Billboard 200 and number 22 on the Top R&B Albums chart in the United States.
Six Figures is the second solo studio album by American rapper D-Shot. It was released on July 29, 1997, via Shot/Jive Records. Recording sessions took place at The Mob Shop in Vallejo, Boss Studios in San Francisco Bay Area and K-Lou Studios in Richmond. Production was handled by Femi Ojetunde, Levitti, Studio Ton, and D-Shot himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from E-40, Levitti, B-Legit, Bo-Roc, Celly Cel, Kaveo, Mac Shawn, Mr. Malik, Spice 1 and Too $hort. The album debuted at number 81 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Horace Brown is the only studio album by American contemporary R&B singer Horace Brown. It was released on June 18, 1996, via Motown Records. Recording sessions took place at Giant Recording Studios, Daddy's House Recording Studios, Sony Music Studios, Soundtrack Studios, Platinum Island Studios, Reflections Studio and Unique Recording Studios in New York City, Caribbean Sound Basin in Port of Spain, and DMH Studios in Elmsford. Production was handled by Dave "Jam" Hall, Puff Daddy, Stevie J, Big Bub, Charles Farrar, DeVante Swing, Dr. Ceuss, Kevin Deane, Troy Taylor, and DJ Eddie F, who also served as executive producer together with Andre Harrell and Lewis Tillman. It features a lone guest appearance from Faith Evans.
