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.
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.
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.
Sons of the P is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digital Underground. It was released on October 15, 1991 via Tommy Boy Records. Main recording sessions took place at Starlight Sound in Richmond, with additional recordings done at Unique Recording Studios in New York, Axiom Recorders in Tampa and The Disc Ltd. in Detroit. Production was handled by D.U. in-house production team credited as The Underground Production Squad, with Atron Gregory and member Shock G serving as executive producers. It features contributions from George Clinton, Stretch and Treach.
Don Cartagena is the third studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on September 1, 1998 through Terror Squad Productions, Mystic Entertainment Group and Big Beat/Atlantic Records. Production was handled by Armageddon, Baby Paul, Buckwild, Curt Gowdy, Dame Grease, DJ Premier, JAO, L.E.S., Mack 10, Marley Marl, Rashad Smith, Ski Beatz, Spunk Bigga, V.I.C. and Younglord, with Craig Kallman, Fat Joe and Greg Angelides serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from fellow Terror Squad members Big Punisher, Armageddon, Prospect, Cuban Link and Triple Seis, as well as Charli Baltimore, Jadakiss, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Nas, Noreaga, Puff Daddy, Raekwon and Rell.
"MC's Act Like They Don't Know" is a hardcore hip hop song written and performed by American rapper KRS-One. It was released on August 28, 1995 via Jive Records as the lead single from his second solo studio album KRS One. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was helmed by DJ Premier.
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.
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.
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.
Mars/Venus is the only studio album by American contemporary R&B duo Koffee Brown. It was released on March 6, 2001 through Arista Records. Recording sessions took place at Battery Studios in New York and at Da Mill Studios and Head Up Recording in New Jersey. Production was handled by DJ Kay Gee, Falonte Moore, Eddie Berkeley, Chris Liggio, Darren Lighty, Rob Fusari, Aarian Pope, AllStar, Barry Salter, muMs and The Bankers. It features guest appearances from Duganz Shanlont, Brandon "B-12" Daniel, Lady Luck, Balewa Muhammad, Lil' Mo, Mr. Deyo, Next and Que.
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 in June 1993. 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.
