M.O.P. is an American hip hop duo composed of East Coast rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame. After years of underground performance, they gained mainstream recognition in 2000 with the song "Ante Up", which would become their biggest hit. The group has frequently collaborated with DJ Premier and is part of the Gang Starr Foundation. Fame sometimes produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack, and has produced tracks on every M.O.P. release since 1996's Firing Squad. He has also worked for other artists including Kool G Rap and Wu-Tang Clan.
Tyree Cinque Simmons, known professionally as DJ Drama, is an American disc jockey (DJ), record executive and music promoter. He initially gained recognition as the DJ for Atlanta-based rapper T.I., and continued to gain prominence hosting mixtapes for other hip hop artists. His trademark Gangsta Grillz series is present on releases of which he has compiled; it has been popularized by artists including Lil Wayne, Tyler the Creator, Snoop Dogg, Yo Gotti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Fabolous, Jeezy, Meek Mill, and Gucci Mane, among others. Alongside record producer and fellow Philadelphia native Don Cannon, he co-founded the record label Generation Now in 2015, an imprint of Atlantic Records which has signed artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow.
Dedication 2 is the sixth mixtape by Lil Wayne, hosted by DJ Drama. It is a sequel to Lil Wayne's previous mixtape, The Dedication, and is second in DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz series with Lil Wayne. It is one of the few mixtapes in the hip hop genre to be both financially successful and critically acclaimed. Despite its illegal use of unlicensed instrumentals and samples, it was sold through iTunes and retail stores such as Best Buy and FYE, was widely reviewed in the mainstream media, and peaked at #69 on Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums” chart. The cover shows Lil Wayne with "Fear God" tattooed on his eyelids. Much of the mixtape showcases Lil Wayne's free associating rhymes and "liquid non-sequiturs."
"Did It On'em" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on April 7, 2011 by Young Money and Cash Money as the sixth single from her debut studio album, Pink Friday (2010). It was written by Minaj with J. Ellington and Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, who produced the track.
Astronaut Status is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Future. It was released on January 12, 2012. The album features guest appearances from rappers Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Ludacris and Rocko. Future previously stated Streetz Calling would be his last mixtape, before his debut full-length album Pluto, but instead released Astronaut Status in 2012, making it his last official mixtape. "Itchin'" peaked at #2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Since the release of Astronaut Status, it has been downloaded over 250k times on DatPiff, certifying it platinum. Astronaut Status also charted at #50 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
Horst Christian Simco, better known by his stage name Riff Raff, is an American rapper from Katy, Texas. He was originally managed by Swishahouse co-founder OG Ron C in 2011. After initially signing with rapper Soulja Boy's record label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, Simco signed with producer Diplo's record label Mad Decent to release his debut studio album, Neon Icon (2014). Despite lukewarm critical and commercial response, it mildly entered the Billboard 200 along with his second album Peach Panther (2016), which was released by Warner Records. Prior to its release, Simco entered a US$4 million joint partnership with Stampede Management and BMG for his Neon Nation label and production company. The joint deal fell apart in the wake of legal disputes with the publication of the 2012 film Spring Breakers.
The Burrprint is a mixtape by American rapper Gucci Mane and hosted by DJ Drama. It was released on October 9, 2009. It is the third and final installment in his "The Movie" series, and the first installment in his "Burrprint" series of mixtapes. The album features notable artists Bun B, Rocko, OJ da Juiceman, Waka Flocka Flame, Shawty Redd and Kandi Burruss. Burrrprint: 3D peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Top Rap Album chart and number 36 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. According to an interview with MTV News, DJ Drama stated that the mixtape originated from the desire to produce an improved version of Gucci Mane's previous mixtape, "The Movie: Part 2", which according to him "didn't do what we felt it should've done".
Drill is a subgenre of hip hop music that originated in Chicago in the early 2010s. It is sonically similar to the trap music subgenre and lyrically similar to the gangsta rap subgenre. Early drill artists are noted for their explicit, confrontational style of lyricism and association with crime in Chicago, especially the Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples. The genre progressed into the American mainstream in 2012 following the success of pioneering rappers like Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, G Herbo, Lil Bibby and King Louie, who had many local fans and a significant internet presence alongside producer Young Chop. Other rappers, such as Edai, L'A Capone, RondoNumbaNine, SD, FBG Duck, Lil Jojo and producer Leek-E-Leek also contributed to the early drill scene. As the audience grew, media attention and the signing of drill musicians to major labels followed.
Life Ain't No Joke is a mixtape by American rapper Lil Durk; hosted by DJ Moondawg and DJ Victoriouz. It was released on October 19, 2012, by his independently record label OTF. The mixtape features guest appearances from French Montana, Soulja Boy and Yo Gotti. As of October 31st, 2022, the mixtape has been downloaded over 259,000 times on DatPiff and is certified platinum.
Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 is a mixtape by Birdman, Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan, as the group Rich Gang. It was released on September 29, 2014, by Cash Money Records. The mixtape features the productions from London on da Track, Issac Flame and Goose, among others and it features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, PeeWee Longway, Jacquees, Yung Ralph, Bloody Jay, MPA Duke and MPA Wicced. The mixtape was supported by seven promotional singles; including "Tell Em (Lies)", "Imma Ride", "Freestyle", "Soldier", "Milk Marie", "Flava" and "Givenchy".
Remember My Name is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil Durk. It was released on June 2, 2015, by Only the Family and Def Jam Recordings. The album's production was handled by C-Sick, DJ L, FKi, London on da Track, Metro Boomin, Vinylz, Young Chop and more, with fellow Def Jam label-mates Jeremih and Logic were the featured artists. The album garnered a positive reception but critics were mixed on the gangsta rap content and Auto-Tune delivery of them. Remember My Name debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and only released one single: "Like Me". The album features guest appearances from Jeremih and Logic. The deluxe edition adds appearances from Hypno Carlito and King Popo.
"Like Me" is a song by the American rapper Lil Durk featuring the American singer Jeremih. It was released in the US on March 31, 2015, as the first single from the former's first studio album, Remember My Name (2015). The song was produced by Vinylz, Boi-1da and Allen Ritter and had a positive response from some critics. "Like Me" peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A music video directed by Eif Rivera was created for the single and released in April 2015.
Durk Derrick Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He first garnered a regional following with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series (2013–2014), which led to his signing of a recording contract from Def Jam Recordings. The label released his debut studio album, Remember My Name (2015) and its follow up, Lil Durk 2X (2016) to moderate commercial reception before parting ways with the artist in 2018.
Travis Miller, best known professionally as Lil Ugly Mane, is an American musician, rapper, singer, and record producer. Noted for his diverse style, vulnerable lyrics, and various side projects, Miller's work spans a wide range of genres, including instrumental and experimental hip hop, black metal, lo-fi music, indie rock, and free jazz. He has also produced under the alias Shawn Kemp.
Dominique Armani Jones, known professionally as Lil Baby, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He rose to prominence following the release of his 2017 mixtapes Harder than Hard and Too Hard, the former of which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its lead single, "My Dawg." He signed with Quality Control Music, an imprint of Motown and Capitol Records to release his debut studio album Harder Than Ever (2018), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten single "Yes Indeed". He released two additional retail projects that same year: The collaborative mixtape Drip Harder with fellow Georgia-based rapper Gunna—which saw continued success with its singles "Drip Too Hard" and "Close Friends"—and his commercial mixtape Street Gossip, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.
Dayvon Daquan Bennett, known professionally as King Von, was an American rapper and gangster from Chicago, Illinois, affiliated with the Black Disciples gang. He is widely considered one of the most preeminent figures of the drill genre.
"Woah" is a single by American rapper Lil Baby from his second studio album My Turn (2020). The song was released through Quality Control Music and Universal Music Group on November 8, 2019. "Woah" became Lil Baby's third number one on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, following 2018's "Yes Indeed" and "Drip Too Hard". It also debuted at number one on the Rolling Stone 100.
Isaiah Jaylaun Dukes, known professionally as Lil Zay Osama, is an American rapper. His music, which he describes as "pain music", reflects his violent upbringing on the South Side of Chicago and explores subjects including grief, trauma and survival.
Shiesty Season is the debut mixtape by American rapper Pooh Shiesty. It was released on February 5, 2021, through Atlantic Records and 1017 Records. The mixtape features guest appearances from Lil Durk, Gucci Mane, Big30, 21 Savage, Veeze, Foogiano, Lil Hank, Choppa Wop, and Tay Keith. The "Spring Deluxe" edition of the mixtape was released on May 21, 2021. It features additional guest appearances from G Herbo, No More Heroes, and Lil Baby. A "Certified" edition of the mixtape was released on April 29, 2022. It features guest appearances from Gunna, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, EST Gee, Big Scarr, 42 Dugg, Baby K, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Big30, Fat Wizza, and Jack Harlow.
"Every Chance I Get" is a song by American record producer DJ Khaled featuring American rappers Lil Baby and Lil Durk. It was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio as the third single off the former's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled, on May 11, 2021. The song received mostly positive responses from critics, with some deeming it a highlight off the album. Lyrically, it sees the rappers boasting about their successes.
