Hard Core is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records. After achieving success with the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. and their album Conspiracy (1995), Kim began working on her solo album with the Notorious B.I.G. serving as the executive producer. She collaborated with a number of producers, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Stevie J., David "Ski" Willis and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Other rappers, including Jay-Z, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy were featured on the album.
Free Yourself is the debut studio album by American singer Fantasia, released by on November 23, 2004. After winning American Idol, Fantasia signed to J Records with 19 Entertainment and began recording her debut album, working with a variety of writers and producers, including Louis Biancaniello, Craig Brockman, Bryan-Michael Cox, Clive Davis, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, Sean Garrett, Jazze Pha, Darkchild, Harold Lilly, Ric Rude, Soulshock & Karlin, The Underdogs, Sam Watters and Nigel Wright.
Mobstability is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Twista and fellow Chicago-based hip hop group the Speedknot Mobstaz. It was released on October 6, 1998 via Atlantic Records. Production was handled entirely by The Legendary Traxster, with Leroy Burton serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Christopher Williams, Danny Boy, NewSense and Shock The World. The album peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Its lead single, "In Your World", peaked at No. 101 on the Billboard Hot 100 and appeared on the Dr. Dolittle: The Album soundtrack.
Knowledge Is King is the third solo studio album by American rapper Kool Moe Dee, released on May 30, 1989, via Jive Records.
We Still Crunk!! is the second studio album by American Southern hip hop group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz. It was released on August 15, 2000 through BME Recordings. Recording sessions took place at The Zone, Blue Basement Recordings and Dangerous Music in Atlanta. Production was handled by Lil' Jon, Emperor Searcy and Oomp Camp Foundation. It features guest appearances from Chyna Whyte, Too $hort, Bohagon, 6 Shot, Don Yute, Khujo, Lyrical Giants, Oobie, Quint Black, Skyy, The Nation Riders, Three 6 Mafia, YoungBloodZ, Jazze Pha, Vince "VP" Phillips, with cameo appearances from Carolyn, Convict, Sir Yay, Sonya & The Eastside Girlz.
Hip Hop Lives is the collaborative studio album by American rapper KRS-One and record producer Marley Marl. It was released on May 22, 2007 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in New York and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, except for one track produced with 88 Fingers. It features guest appearances from Blaq Poet, Busy Bee Starski and Magic Juan. The album's title is a response to Nas's 2006 album Hip Hop Is Dead.
The Beatnuts is the self-titled full-length debut album by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released on June 21, 1994, via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at LGK Studios in Leonia, New Jersey, at Soundtrack Studios and Greene St. Recording in New York. Production was handled by the Beatnuts, except for one song produced by Lucien. It features guest appearances from Gab Gotcha of Triflicts, Grand Puba and Miss Jones. The album reached number 182 on the Billboard 200 and number 28 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums in the United States. It boasts two singles: "Props Over Here", which peaked at number 39 on the US Hot Rap Singles, and "Hit Me with That". Music video for "Props Over Here" was directed by Abraham Lincoln Lim.
Intoxicated Demons: The EP is the debut extended play by American hip hop trio The Beatnuts. It was released in April 1993 via Violator/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Variety Recording Studio in New York and at LGK Studios in New Jersey. It features one guest vocalist, V.I.C., on the track "World's Famous". Two singles, "Reign of the Tec" and "No Equal", were released in promotion of the album. The album was received positively for its diverse beats and comedic lyrics. Its cover art was inspired by the cover of Hank Mobley's The Turnaround!.
This Is the Shack is the debut studio album by American G-funk trio The Dove Shack. It was released on August 22, 1995 via G-Funk Entertainment/Def Jam Recordings. The album peaked at #68 on the US Billboard 200 and #13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Seminar is the second album by American rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot. It was released on October 17, 1989, via Nastymix and was produced entirely by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The album peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200, number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America. It spawned three singles: "Beepers", which peaked at #61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #2 on the Hot Rap Songs, "My Hooptie", which peaked at #49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #7 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "I Got Game", which peaked at #86 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #20 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Black Pearl is the second studio album by American rapper Yo-Yo. It was released on June 23, 1992, through EastWest Records America/Atlantic. Production was handled by DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Down Low Productions, DJ Muggs, Rashad Coes and DJ Bobcat, with Ice Cube serving as executive producer. The album peaked at number 145 on the Billboard 200 and number 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Latin Alliance is the self-titled studio album by a one-off collaboration of Latino-American hip hop recording artists under Latin Alliance brand. The group was formed in 1989 and released their one and only album in 1991 via Virgin Records. It features performances by Kid Frost, A.L.T., Markski, Rayski Rockswell, Mellow Man Ace, Lyrical Engineer, Hip Hop Astronaut and The Lyrical Latin, with guest appearances by WAR and Scoop DeVille. Recording sessions took place at Digital Sound & Picture in New York City, Skyline Recording in Topanga, Wide Tracks, Image Recorders and Echo Sound in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Kid Frost, Tony G, Will Roc, Todd Alexander, Ralph Rivers, The Baka Boyz, Julio G, Geoff Rios and Mike Greene.
Take It or Squeeze It is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo The Beatnuts. It was released on March 20, 2001 via Loud Records and Epic Records. Recording sessions took place at Planet Sound Studios and Chung King Studios in New York. Produced by the Beatnuts, it features guest appearances from Marley Metal, Black Attack, Bloody Moon, Fatman Scoop, Greg Nice, Miss Loca, Problemz, Tony Touch, Triple Seis, Willie Stubz, Method Man, and former member Al' Tariq.
I Don't Care: The Album is the second and final studio album by American hip hop duo Audio Two. It was released in 1990 through First Priority Music with distribution by Atlantic Records. Production was handled by its members Milk Dee and DJ Gizmo along with the King of Chill and Terence Dudley. It features guest appearances from MC Lyte and Positive K. I Don't Care: The Album was not a success, only peaking at number 74 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and spawning two singles: "On the Road Again" and "I Get the Papers". Its lead single, "On the Road Again", peaked at number 16 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.
Ready is the third studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. It was released on August 31, 2009, by Troy Taylor's record label Songbook, distributed by Atlantic Records. The album serves as the sequel to Trey Day (2007). Production for the album took place from 2008 to 2009, which was contributed by Songz's longtime collaborator and his mentor Troy Taylor, along with Bryan-Michael Cox, StarGate and Los da Mystro, among others.
Da Dirty 30 is the only studio album by American hip hop trio Cru. It was released on June 15, 1997, as a joint production by Def Jam Recordings and Violator Entertainment, with the entire production of the album coming from the group's producer Yogi. It features guest appearances from Black Rob, Anthony Hamilton, Antoinette, Jim Hydro, Ras Kass, Slick Rick, The Lox and Tracey Lee. The album was met with positive reviews but was not a huge commercial success, peaking at number 102 on the Billboard 200, number 26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and topped the Top Heatseekers.
Young Roscoe Philaphornia is the debut studio album by American rapper Roscoe. It was released on June 10, 2003 via Priority Records. Production was handled by Organized Noize, J. Wells, the Co-Stars, Caspa, Def Jef, DJ Quik, Fingazz, L.T. Hutton, Soopafly and Soul G, with Andrew Shack and Kurupt serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Kokane, LaToiya Williams, Sleepy Brown and Youth Authority. The album peaked at number 148 on the Billboard 200 and number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Its singles, "Head to Toe" and "Smooth Sailin'", made it to Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at #95 and #73, respectively.
Roxbury 02119 is the second studio album by Boston-based rapper Ed O.G. & da Bulldogs. It was released on Chemistry/Mercury/PolyGram Records on January 18, 1994. The album peaked at number 36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album spawned two singles: "Skinny Dip ", which peaked at number 19 on the Hot Rap Songs, and "Love Comes & Goes", which peaked at number 43 on the Hot Rap Songs.
In Control Volume II (For Your Steering Pleasure) is the second studio album by American hip hop record producer Marley Marl. It was released on October 1, 1991, via Cold Chillin' Records. Recording sessions took place at Marley's House Of Hits in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, with Benny Medina, Francesca Spero and Tyrone Williams serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, Heavy D, Kool G Rap and Masta Ace, who contributed on In Control, Volume 1, as well as Big Money Wiz, Chubb Rock, Chuck D, Def Jef, Eclipse, Grand Puba, Kev-E-Kev & AK-B, King Tee, Little Daddy Shane, LL Cool J, MC Amazing, MC Cash, Mike Nice, Nexx Phase, Perfection, Portia Kirkland, Pure Cane Sugar, Rap Industry For Social Evolution and The Flex. Action, Biz Markie, MC Shan and Roxanne Shanté did not appear on this album.
2:35 PM is the second studio album American singer-songwriter Calvin Richardson. It was released on September 16, 2003 via Hollywood Records. Production was handled by Raphael Saadiq, Slum Village, Darren Lighty, DJ Eddie F, Jake & Trev, Mike City and The Underdogs, with co-producers Jake and the Phatman and Jon Lind serving as additional producer. It features a guest appearance from Slum Village. The album debuted at number 65 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. None of its singles reach the Billboard Hot 100, however, the song "Keep On Pushin'" made it to number No. 20 on the Adult R&B Airplay and "Not Like This" peaked at No. 36 on the Adult R&B Airplay.
