Victor James Santiago Jr., better known by his stage names N.O.R.E. and Noreaga, is an American rapper. Santiago first rose to prominence as one half of the East Coast hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, which he formed in 1995 with fellow Queens-based rapper Capone. The duo released five studio albums, briefly disbanding after their second to pursue solo careers.
Kasseem Daoud Dean, known professionally as Swizz Beatz, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, Dean initially embarked on his musical career as a DJ. At the age of 18, he gained recognition in the music industry through his family's record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment and his affiliation with its flagship artist, Yonkers-based rapper DMX. Working with DMX as his producer, DJ, and hype man helped Dean gain prominence as a high-profile figure in hip-hop in the following years.
Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories is a compilation album by American rapper and producer Swizz Beatz, released on December 10, 2002, under Interscope, DreamWorks and his own label Full Surface. It debuted at number 50 on the US Billboard 200 album chart, selling 59,000 copies in its first week.
N.O.R.E. is the debut studio album by American rapper Noreaga. It was released on July 7, 1998, by Penalty Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Criteria Studios in Miami, at The Hit Factory, Electric Lady Studios, The Cutting Room and Right Track Recording in New York, at Bearsville Studios, and at House Of Hits. Production was handled by Trackmasters, L.E.S., Curt Gowdy, Dame Grease, DJ Clue?, EZ Elpee, Ken "DURO" Ifill, Marley Marl, Nashiem Myrick, SPK, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes and J "Waxx" Garfield. It features guest appearances from Musaliny-N-Maze, Nature, Big Pun, Busta Rhymes, Cam'ron, Carl Thomas, Chico DeBarge, Jadakiss, Kid Capri, Kool G Rap, Nas, Spliff Star and Styles P.
Chain Reaction is the second studio album and official debut by Cuban-American rapper Cuban Link. It was released on August 16, 2005 via Men of Business Records. Production was handled by Big Humma, Swizz Beatz, Falling Down, Kon Artis, SPK and Tiger, with co-producers Big Menz, Eliel and Ken Lewis. It features guest appearances from Avant, Cap.1, Don Omar, Jadakiss, Mýa, Syleena Johnson, Zion and One Solo.
God's Favorite is the third studio album by American rapper N.O.R.E.. After six months of label delays, the album was released on June 25, 2002, by Thugged Out Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings.
American rapper and producer Swizz Beatz has released two studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), one mixtape, thirty-nine singles, three promotional singles and thirty-three music videos.
One Man Band Man is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer Swizz Beatz, released on August 21, 2007, through Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Full Surface Records and Universal Motown Records. The album features guest appearances from Drag-On, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly and Jadakiss. The album's production was handled by Swizz Beatz himself, as well as producers such as The Individualz, Needlz, Nottz, Snags, Neo Da Matrix, Eric McCaine, Young World Music.
Real is the fourth studio album by Puerto Rican reggaetón recording artist Ivy Queen, released on November 21, 2004, by Universal Music Latino. Initially to be Queen's debut full-length English-language studio album, it featured collaborations with hip hop and fellow Latino artists Hector El Father, Fat Joe, Getto & Gastam, La India, Gran Omar and Mickey Perfecto. The album was primarily produced by Rafi Mercenario, and included guest production by American producer Swizz Beatz, Puerto Rican producers Ecko, Noriega, Monserrate and DJ Nelson. The executive producers were Goguito "Willy" Guadalupe, Gran Omar and Ivy Queen.
Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman) is the third solo studio album by American rapper Styles P. It was released on December 4, 2007 through D-Block/Koch Records. Production was handled by Vinny Idol, Dame Grease, Poobs, The Alchemist, Akon, Café Society, DJ Green Lantern, Dragan Čačinović, Hi-Tek, Kid Capri, Mr. Devine, Pete Rock and Swizz Beatz, with F. "Hit" Neufville, Kristi Clifford and Styles P serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Akon, Beanie Sigel, Black Thought, Ghostface Killah, Max B, Raw Buck, Ray J, Swizz Beatz, The Alchemist, The Bully, The Lox, and comedian Tony T. Roberts.
Jermaine Coleman, better known by his stage name Maino, is an American rapper and radio personality. After an ineffective tenure with Universal Motown Records, he signed with Atlantic Records to release his 2008 debut single, "Hi Hater", which entered Billboard's Hot Rap Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts. His 2009 follow-up single, "All the Above" peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs preceded the release of his debut studio album If Tomorrow Comes… (2009), which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200. Its sequel, The Day After Tomorrow (2012) peaked at number 94 and was supported by the single "Let It Fly".
A History of Violence is the sixth studio album by American hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released on November 11, 2008 via Babygrande Records. Recording sessions took place at Found Sound Recording in Philadelphia. Production was handled by member Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. It features guest appearances from Block McCloud, Demoz, Doap Nixon, King Magnetic and OuterSpace.
"I Can Transform Ya" is a song by American singer Chris Brown from his third album Graffiti. The song features vocals from American rappers Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The artists co-wrote the song with Lonny Bereal, Trayce Green, and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, with Beatz producing the track. The song was released as the lead single from Graffiti on September 29, 2009, and was Brown's first official release since his altercation with former girlfriend, Barbadian singer Rihanna. Originally known simply as "Transformer", it is an electro-composed song infused with hip hop, crunk and "industrial" R&B musical genres, while making use of robotic tones. It is lyrically about introducing someone to a life of luxury.
Oz: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to the HBO television series Oz. It was released on January 9, 2001, through Nettwerk/Avatar Records and composed of hip hop music.
"On to the Next One" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z, released on December 15, 2009 as the fourth single from his eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 on his Roc Nation label and also released as the fourth single in the United Kingdom after "Young Forever". The song features additional rap vocals and music production from producer and rapper Swizz Beatz as well as a vocal sample of the words "under the spotlight" and a background synthesizer sound from the live version of Justice's song "D.A.N.C.E.".
Pink Friday is the debut studio album by Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on November 22, 2010, by Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment and Universal Motown Records. Minaj began recording the album after signing a recording contract with Young Money Entertainment in 2009. Musically, it is primarily a hip hop, R&B and pop record that incorporates electronic music. The album features guest vocals from Eminem, Rihanna, Drake, will.i.am, Kanye West, and Natasha Bedingfield.
Student of the Game is the sixth studio album by American rapper N.O.R.E.. The album was released on April 16, 2013, by Thugged Out Militainment and eOne Music. The album features guest appearances from French Montana, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Pusha T, Pharrell, Pete Rock, Havoc, Jeremih, Mick Jones, Large Professor, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, Tech N9ne, Busta Rhymes and Scarface among others.
Ruff Ryders Entertainment is an American hip hop record label and management company founded by siblings and record executives Joaquin "Waah", Darrin "Dee" and Chivon Dean in 1988. It operated as a subsidiary of Universal, and distributed by Interscope Records, with Def Jam Recordings serving as the distributor for DMX albums. The label went on to launch the careers of several successful artists such as DMX, Eve, The LOX, Drag-On, MC Jin, producers Dame Grease and the Deans' nephew, Swizz Beatz among others. The Ruff Ryders namesake also referred to a loose-knit hip hop collective composed of the core signees of the label. Ruff Ryders and its main studio Powerhouse Studios are headquartered at 33 South Broadway in Yonkers, New York.
"Welcome to the Jungle" is a song by the American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West from their collaborative studio album, Watch the Throne (2011). The song features additional vocals from Swizz Beatz and Acapella Soul. It was produced by Swizz Beatz, who served as a co-writer with West, Jay-Z, and Mike Dean. The rappers engaged in recording sessions with the producer for the song at The Mercer Hotel in 2011. A hip hop song, it features a simplistic beat with rock elements.
"Murder to Excellence" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West from their collaborative studio album, Watch the Throne (2011). The song features additional vocals from Kid Cudi. It was produced by Swizz Beatz and S1, who served as co-writers with the rappers and Kid Cudi, with additional credits for Mihaela and Gabriela Modorcea, Quincy Jones, Harvey Mason, Jr., Joel Rosenbaum, Caiphus Semenya, and Bill Summers due to them having composed sampled works. The song originated from Swizz Beatz's "Black on Black Murder" and S1's "Black Excellence" after West suggested to combine them, leading to it being split into the separate parts of "Murder" and "Excellence" from the producers. A hip hop song with experimental elements and raw beats, it samples Indiggo's "La La La" and Jones' "Celie Shaves Mr./Scarification".
