Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993, by Loud Records. Recording sessions took place during late 1992 to early 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and the album was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA. Its title originates from the martial arts films Enter the Dragon (1973) and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).
Nigga Please is the second solo studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard. It was released on September 14, 1999, via Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Quad Recording Studios, at Chung King Studios and at 36 Chambers Studio in New York City, and at American Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by RZA, The Neptunes, Irv Gotti, Buddha Monk, Dat Nigga Reb, DL, Flavahood Productions, Mr. Fingers and True Master. It features guest appearances from 12 O'Clock, Kelis, La the Darkman, Lil' Mo, Pharrell Williams, Raison the Zukeeper, Shorty Shit Stain, and comedian Chris Rock.
Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper known for being a longtime and frequent music partner of East Coast rapper Nas and also a member of hip hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature. Online magazine About.com listed AZ as the "Most Underrated [Rapper] of All Time". AZ also made it onto the sites' "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", where he was reiterated as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."
Moment of Truth is the fifth album by hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on March 31, 1998 by Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records. Gang Starr recorded Moment of Truth in sessions at D&D Studios. It is widely regarded as Gang Starr's magnum opus, and one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
The Diary is the third studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on October 18, 1994, by Rap-A-Lot and Noo Trybe. This album is one of the few to receive a perfect rating from both The Source Magazine and XXL. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA on December 5, 1994.
The Untouchable is the fourth studio album by American rapper Scarface. The album was released on March 11, 1997, by Rap-A-Lot Records and Noo Trybe Records. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in his career with the album; in addition it peaked at the top of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for two weeks, giving Scarface his second number one album there. The album sold 169,000 copies in its first week.
I Got the Hook-Up is the soundtrack to Michael Martin's 1998 crime comedy film I Got the Hook-Up. It was released on April 7, 1998, through No Limit/Priority Records.
The Lost Generation is the second studio album by American rapper Shyheim. It was released on May 28, 1996 via Noo Trybe Records. Production was handled by RNS, DR Period, Peter Lord, The King of Chill, V. Jeffrey Smith, L.E.S., RZA and Tone Capone. It features guest appearances from GP Wu, 9th Prince, DV Alias Khrist, Killa Sin, Smoothe da Hustler, Trigga tha Gambler, Squig, Kameelah Williams and Lamisha Grinstead. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard 200 and at #10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "This Iz Real", peaked at #84 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #26 on the Hot Rap Songs.
The W is the third studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on November 21, 2000, by Loud Records. After their 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever, several of the group's members released solo projects before The W, which has a more rugged, less polished sound than that of most Wu-Tang related albums from that era. The album also features guest appearances from Isaac Hayes, Redman, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Junior Reid. It is the group's last album to feature Ol' Dirty Bastard before his death in 2004, as he was absent from their next album, Iron Flag (2001).
"C.R.E.A.M." is a song by the American hardcore hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on January 31, 1994 by Loud Records, as the second single from their debut studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (1993). The song was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA, and contains a sample of the Charmels' 1967 song "As Long As I've Got You" throughout. It features two verses from members Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, who discuss their upbringings while living in New York City, and Method Man, who sings its hook. Its music video, featuring all Wu-Tang Clan members in New York City, was released in 1994.
The Declaration is the fifth studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on June 3, 2008, by The Inc. Records and Universal Motown Records.
Phantom of the Rapra is the second solo studio album by American rapper Bushwick Bill. It was released on July 11, 1995 through Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Noo Trybe Records. Recording sessions took place at Lil J's Studio in Houston. Production was handled by Mike Dean, John Bido, Clement Burnette, John "Swift" Catalon, CJ Mac and Freddie Young with executive producer J. Prince. It features guest appearances from 3D, CJ Mac, Menace Clan and Sherm.
"Until We Rich" is a single by Ice Cube featuring Krayzie Bone, from Ice Cube's 2000 album, War & Peace Vol. 2 . The song conveys the message that the most important things in the world are health and life. The beat, produced by Carl "Chucky" Thompson, contains a sample of "Show Me" by Glenn Jones that was also used in Queensbridge rapper AZ's Pieces of a Man album track "How Ya Livin" featuring Nas. It peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
Noo Trybe Records was an American hip hop record label established in 1994 by Eric L. Brooks and operated as a sublabel of Virgin Records. It worked with several independent hip hop labels including Rap-A-Lot Records and AWOL.
Pronounced Jah-Nay is the debut studio album by American R&B group Zhané. It was released on February 15, 1994, via Motown. Recording sessions took place at Enterprise Studios and at Encore Studios in Burbank, at Marion Recording Studio in Fairview, New Jersey, and at Unique Recording Studios and at Soundtrack Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Naughty by Nature and Zhané. The album peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard 200 and number eight on the Top R&B Albums chart. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 4, 1996.
Music from the Motion Picture: The Great White Hype is the soundtrack to Reginald Hudlin's 1996 film The Great White Hype. It was released in April 1996 through Epic Soundtrax, and consists primarily of hip hop music. Composed of thirteen songs, it features appearances by the likes of Ambersunshower, Biz Markie, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Camp Lo, DJ U-Neek, E-40, Insane Clown Posse, Jamie Foxx, Lou Rawls, Marcus Miller, Nyt Owl, Passion, Premier, Rudy Ray Moore, and Wu-Tang Clan members. Production was handled by DJ U-Neek, Marcus Miller, RZA, 4th Disciple, Doug Rasheed, Foster & McElroy, ICP, Jocko, Mike E. Clark, P.M. Dawn, Ski Beatz and Studio Ton.
Bobby Digital in Stereo is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer RZA. It was released on November 24, 1998, and was certified Gold on February 5, 1999, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is an experimental album that is based on a story featuring him rhyming as a hedonistic, fun-loving alter-ego named Bobby Digital and showcasing a unique keyboard-driven sound that RZA called digital orchestra, receiving mostly positive, though somewhat mixed, reviews.
Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, on Loud/RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects from various members of the group, and serves as the follow-up to their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang . Forever features several guest appearances from Wu-Tang affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Tekitha. The original run of compact discs featured an "Enhanced CD" which allowed users to walk around the "Wu Mansion" and access additional content.
Ironman is the debut solo album by American rapper Ghostface Killah, released on October 29, 1996, by Epic Records. It was produced by fellow Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. The album's music draws prominently on blaxploitation films and soul samples. More so than on other solo debuts from the group's members, Ironman contains references to the Nation of Gods and Earths.
The Wicked Buddah Baby is the debut solo studio album by American rapper 3-2, a member of Blac Monks and Screwed Up Click, from Houston, Texas. It was released on September 17, 1996, via Rap-A-Lot Records and Noo Trybe Records. It features guest appearances from 8Ball & MJG, Sonia Moore, Southside Playaz, Too Short and UGK. The album peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 13 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
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