UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987, by Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. They released their first major-label album Too Hard to Swallow, in 1992, followed by several other albums charting on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, including the self-titled Underground Kingz album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, in August 2007. The duo has also been featured on hit singles by several other artists, such as "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in late 2005. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in a West Hollywood, California hotel room.
The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on November 14, 2003, by Roc-A-Fella Records. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2006. For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, The Neptunes, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others.
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on June 10, 2008, by Cash Money and Universal Motown. It follows a long string of mixtape releases and guest appearances on other hip hop and R&B artists records, helping to increase his exposure in the mainstream. Amid release delays and leaks, Tha Carter III became one of the most anticipated releases of 2008. It is widely-regarded as one of Wayne’s best projects, and one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
Year of the Dog... Again is the sixth studio album by American rapper DMX. The album was released on August 1, 2006, by Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Sony Urban Music and Columbia Records. The album was supported by the singles "We in Here" and "Lord Give Me a Sign".
Rotten Apple is the second studio album by G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks, released October 10, 2006 on G-Unit Records and Interscope Records. The title of the album is a play on the New York City nickname, "The Big Apple". The album cover also resembles the cover of the film, King of New York.
Crunk Rock is the solo debut album and sixth overall album by American crunk artist Lil Jon, released on June 8, 2010 by BME and Universal Republic. The characters at the bottom of the album's cover are Japanese katakana characters, which read "Kurunku Rokku," the Japanese transcription of the album's title.
The discography of Jeezy, an American rapper, consists of eight studio albums, two independent albums, eighteen mixtapes, seventy singles and twenty-eight music videos. He has also released an album as a member of Boyz N Da Hood, as well with USDA, who are artists on his label.
The discography of Akon, a Senegalese American singer, songwriter, rapper and music producer, consists of three studio albums, four mixtapes, one hundred and six singles, four promotional singles and ninety-two music videos. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Akon lived in Senegal with his family until the age of seven, when they returned to the United States to live in New Jersey. A three-year prison sentence inspired Akon to begin recording songs in his home studio: Universal Records signed him after becoming aware of his music, and his debut album Trouble was released in June 2004. Two of its singles – "Locked Up" and "Lonely" – reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, with the latter topping numerous singles charts worldwide and being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Trouble also included the singles "Gunshot ", "Ghetto", "Belly Dancer (Bananza)" and "Pot of Gold", and was eventually certified Platinum by the RIAA and by the British Phonographic Industry in the United Kingdom, where it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience and Def Jam Recordings. Its original title Nigger was changed due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes, and The Game, among others.
Loso's Way is the fifth studio album by American rapper Fabolous. The album was released on July 28, 2009, by Desert Storm Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album's first two singles were released simultaneously on May 26, 2009. "Throw It in the Bag" features The-Dream and "My Time" features Jeremih. Two more singles were subsequently released, Everything, Everyday, Everywhere" featuring Keri Hilson and "Money Goes, Honey Stay" featuring Jay-Z.
The discography of Gucci Mane, an American rapper, consists of 13 studio albums, two collaborative albums, three compilation albums, one soundtrack, seven extended plays (EPs), 72 mixtapes and 33 singles.
Unleashed is the second studio album by American rapper Hurricane Chris. It was released on December 21, 2009, by Polo Grounds Music and J Records. This record would later be his final studio release with Polo Grounds and J Records. Recording sessions took place from 2008 to 2009, featuring the executive production from Hurricane Chris himself, alongside Bryan Leach and Anthony Murray. Aside from the executive production, the album features the production from Play-N-Skillz, Shawty Redd and Fiend, among others.
The Stimulus Package is a collaborative studio album by Philadelphia rapper Freeway and Seattle producer Jake One. It was released on Minneapolis indie hip hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment on February 16, 2010. The album included 2 singles, "Know What I Mean" and "She Makes Me Feel Alright", both of which have had videos made for them. The package was designed by Brent Rollins of the ego trip collective. The album debuted at number 63 on the Billboard 200, selling over 9,000 units in its first week.
American rapper Wiz Khalifa has released six studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, two extended play (EP), two collaborative albums, 68 singles, sixteen promotional singles, sixteen mixtapes, and 82 music videos. After signing to independent record label Rostrum Records at a young age, Khalifa released his first mixtape Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania, and his first studio album, Show and Prove (2006). Following the release of Show and Prove, Warner Bros. Records signed Khalifa in 2007 as part of a joint deal with Rostrum. At Warner, Khalifa released the singles "Youngin' on His Grind" and "Say Yeah". The latter became his first song to appear on a Billboard chart, peaking at number 20 on the US Hot Rap Songs. Disagreements with Warner over the release of a purported major-label debut album led Khalifa to departed from the label, and release his second studio album Deal or No Deal in 2009 on Rostrum Records alone.
Finally Famous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big Sean. It was released on June 28, 2011, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place from 2010 to 2011, with Kanye West serving as the only executive producer on the album. The record serves as Big Sean's first studio release, under the whole Finally Famous series, following these mixtapes such as Finally Famous Vol. 1: The Mixtape (2007), Finally Famous Vol. 2: UKNOWBIGSEAN (2009) and Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big (2010).
Authentic is the thirteenth studio album by American hip hop recording artist LL Cool J. The album was released on April 30, 2013, by S-BRO Music Group, 429 Records. It is his first album since 2008's Exit 13 and his first to not be released on Def Jam. The album features guest appearances from Fitz and The Tantrums, Eddie Van Halen, Snoop Dogg, Fatman Scoop, Seal, Charlie Wilson, Melody Thornton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bootsy Collins, Travis Barker, Chuck D, Tom Morello, Z-Trip, Mickey Shiloh, Monica and Brad Paisley.
Trials & Tribulations is the fourth studio album by American rapper Ace Hood. The album was released on July 16, 2013, by We the Best Music Group, Cash Money Records and distributed by Republic Records. The album was supported by the hit single "Bugatti" which has peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and "We Outchea" featuring Lil Wayne. The album features guest appearances from Meek Mill, Future, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, T.I., 2 Chainz, Birdman and Anthony Hamilton, among others.
Kenny Dennis III is a studio album by American rapper Serengeti. It was released on Joyful Noise Recordings on November 11, 2014.
Ella Mai Howell is an English singer and songwriter. She signed to DJ Mustard's label 10 Summers Records in 2014.
