Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. Rooted in Southern hip-hop, he is regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and widely considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Known for his creative lyrical ability—which often uses punchlines, homonyms, word play—and braggadocio, his music often deals with the subjects of wealth, drugs, and sex. Born and raised in New Orleans, he was discovered by hometown rapper Birdman in 1993 and signed with the latter's record label, Cash Money Records, at age eleven. He emerged as the flagship artist of the label in the following years until his departure in June 2018.
Robin Yvette Allen, known professionally as The Lady of Rage, is an American rapper, singer and actress best known for her collaborations with several other Death Row Records artists, including Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on the seminal albums, The Chronic and Doggystyle. The Lady of Rage has been described as "one of the most skillful female MCs" with a "mastery of flow" and "hard-core lyrics".
Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records. After the success of his debut album Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was arrested and charged with murder and in 1995, spent time preparing for the case that went to trial. On February 20, 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album without Dr. Dre providing work as a record producer. This was Snoop's final album on Death Row until 2022, when he acquired the rights to the Death Row trademarks from MNRK Music Group, releasing BODR the same year. This would also be his last album under the moniker Snoop Doggy Dogg before it was shortened to Snoop Dogg. Recording sessions took place from February 1996 to October 1996, with Suge Knight as the executive producer on the album, alongside the additional production from several record producers such as DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly and L.T. Hutton; as well as guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Tray Dee and Warren G, among others.
Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way is the second studio album by American rap group Tha Eastsidaz, released on July 30, 2001. The album features the single "I Luv It" and includes the song "Crip Hop" which was also featured in the film, Baby Boy and the corresponding soundtrack.
"Holidae In" is a song by American rapper Chingy featuring Ludacris and Snoop Dogg. It was released on August 25, 2003, by Capitol Records and Ludacris's Disturbing tha Peace record label as the second single off his debut album Jackpot (2003). Produced by the duo the Trak Starz, the release garnered positive reviews from critics who praised the performances. In 2020, Entertainment Weekly wrote that the legacy of the song was that increased the "coolness factor" of Holiday Inn, hotel chain based in Atlanta, and owned by the hospitality company, Intercontinental Hotels Group.
Cali Iz Active is the fourth studio album by rap group Tha Dogg Pound. It was released through Koch and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Records on June 27, 2006.
Young, Rich & Dangerous is the third and final studio album by American hip hop duo Kris Kross, released on January 9, 1996 by So So Def Recordings. Produced by both Jermaine Dupri and the duo, the album features the singles "Tonite's tha Night" and "Live and Die for Hip-Hop"; the latter single featured Da Brat, Aaliyah, Jermaine Dupri and Mr. Black. Despite some positive reviews, Young, Rich & Dangerous was the least successful album for Kris Kross. It was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 4, 1996.
Savage Dreams is the debut solo studio album by the American rapper Baby Beesh. It was released on June 19, 2001, via Dope House Records. Recording sessions took place at Dope House Records and Digital Services in Houston. Production was handled by Happy Perez, Mario Ayala, Hotan, B.R. and Jaime "Pain" Ortiz, with Arthur Coy Jr. and South Park Mexican serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from 713, B.R., Don Cisco, Dum Dum, Frost, Grimm, Jay Tee, Lil' Villain, Lucky Luciano, Merciless, Mr. Kee, Rasheed, Russell Lee, Sneak, SPM, Travieso, T.O. Ikeman and fellow Latino Velvet members.
Tha Smokin' Nephew is the third solo studio album by American rapper Baby Bash. It was released on September 23, 2003, through Universal Records, making it his first commercial album as well as his first album released under the stage name "Baby Bash".
Ménage à Trois is an independent label compilation album released by Baby Bash, his fifth overall release. The album is made up of tracks from 2003's The Ultimate Cartel, 2002's On Tha Cool & 2001's Savage Dreams when Baby Bash was known as Baby Beesh.
The Golden State is the third studio album by rap group N2Deep. The album was released in 1997 on Swerve Records and was produced by Johnny Z, Jay Tee, Funk Daddy, Ken Franklin and Dave G. Four singles were included on the album: "Day 2 Day Basis", "Threesome", "Parkin' Lot Pimpin'" and "Cali Lifestyles". Guests on the album include Baby Beesh, Mary Jane Girls, Mac Dre, Dru Down and PSD.
Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish is the fifth studio album and eighth album overall released by N2Deep. Although this album was released under the name N2Deep it is actually a Jay Tee solo album as TL does not participate on this project. The album was released in 2000 for Swerve Records and was produced by Jay Tee, Philly Blunt and Ken Franklin. Latino Velvet, PSD and Mac Dre all make guest appearances on this album.
Dope House is an independent record label based in Houston, Texas. It primarily releases hardcore, underground, and Southern hip hop.
Steve Davison, better known as PSD, PSD Tha Drivah or Stevie Dee, is a rapper and producer from Vallejo, California, who is closely associated with the late Mac Dre.
James Trujillo, better known by his stage name Jay Tee, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He has been a part of the city's scene since the early 1990s as the lead member of N2Deep and Latino Velvet along with Baby Beesh. Even though N2Deep's 2000 album Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish was a solo album, it was not until 2001 that Jay Tee released a solo album under his own name, So Cold.
Velvet City is the second studio album by American rap supergroup Latino Velvet. It was released May 23, 2000 on Celeb. Entertainment. The group is composed of Jay Tee, Baby Beesh, Frost and Don Cisco. The album was produced by Bosko, Dee 4, Ferg, Massive and Philly Blunt. It features several guest performers, including: E-40, Levitti, Rappin' 4-Tay, D.B.A. and Candi of Mary Jane Girls. D.B.A. was another newly formed West Coast supergroup composed of Bosko, Cool Nutz and Poppa L.Q.
High Caliber is an album by Vallejo, California rapper Jay Tee, from N2Deep/Latino Velvet.
Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011, through Cash Money Records, Universal Republic Records and Young Money Entertainment. Recording sessions for the album began in late 2008, shortly after Lil Wayne's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III (2008) was released to strong sales and critical acclaim: however, the sessions were put on hold, as Lil Wayne claimed he did not want to follow an album he held in high regard so quickly with another, potentially inferior release. In the interim, Lil Wayne released his two other albums in 2010: the largely rock-themed Rebirth, and I Am Not a Human Being. The latter was reportedly composed from unreleased material from the original Tha Carter IV sessions, as the album was released whilst Wayne served a prison sentence at Rikers Island prison for illegal possession of a weapon, and was thus unable to record any new material: this also meant Tha Carter IV's recording sessions were once more put on hold.
Ronald Ray Bryant, better known by his stage name Baby Bash, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. His first two albums, Savage Dreams (2001) and On Tha Cool (2002), were released by the independent Houston-based label Dope House Records under his former stage name "Baby Beesh". It was changed to "Baby Bash" before he signed with Universal Records in 2003 and released his pop rap single, "Suga Suga", in July of that year. The song became his first hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and serving as lead single for his third album and major label debut, Tha Smokin' Nephew (2003).
Tha Block Is Hot is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on November 2, 1999, by Universal Records and Bryan "Baby" Williams' Cash Money Records. The recording sessions took place at Cash Money Studios in Metairie, Louisiana, with the executive production from Bryan "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. The album was produced by Mannie Fresh. It was intended to be titled I Ride at Night.
