Todd Anthony Shaw, better known by his stage name Too Short, is an American rapper. A pioneer of West Coast hip hop, Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. His lyrics were often based on pimping and promiscuity, but also drug culture and street survival; exemplified respectively in his most popular singles "Blow the Whistle" and "The Ghetto." He is one of few acts to have worked with both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. during the heights of their respective careers.
Alan Daniel Maman, known professionally as the Alchemist, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. Critically acclaimed for his sample-heavy production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip-hop and underground rap. His frequent collaborators include Mobb Deep, Eminem, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Schoolboy Q, the Griselda trio, Boldy James, and Earl Sweatshirt.
Andre Louis Hicks, known by his stage name Mac Dre, was an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He was an instrumental figure in the emergence of hyphy, a cultural movement in the Bay Area hip hop scene that emerged in the early 2000s. Hicks is considered one of the movement's key pioneers that fueled its popularity into mainstream, releasing songs with fast-paced rhymes and basslines that inspired a new style of dance. As the founder of the independent record label Thizz Entertainment, Hicks recorded dozens of albums and gave aspiring rappers an outlet to release albums locally.
The term hyphy is an Oakland, California slang meaning "hyperactive". More specifically, it is an adjective describing the hip hop music and the culture associated with the Oakland area. The term was first coined by Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak.
Tunnel of Love is the fourth extended play by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. It was released on April 19, 1996, through Psychopathic Records, serving as the third and final "sideshow" entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga. The EP was recorded at the Fun House with Mike E. Clark, who produced the album together with ICP.
Mic Club: The Curriculum is the fourth studio album by American rapper Canibus, released on November 19, 2002 through Canibus' own label, Mic Club Music. It is generally recognized for its scholarly vocabulary and complex lyrics. Much of the production is handled by relatively unknown producers, though the album has been praised overall for its lyrics and beats. It contains over 1,000 bars combined throughout the thirteen tracks, with only three choruses in "Behind Enemy Rhymes", "'C' Section", and "Liberal Arts".
Amerikaz Nightmare is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo Mobb Deep. It was released on August 10, 2004, via Infamous/Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at Battery Studios, Chung King Studios, Dunn Deal Studios and The Lab, in New York City, and at Ocean Way Studios in California, The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Powerhouse Studios in Yonkers, Record Plant in Hollywood, and DSL Studios in Louisville. The album was produced by member Havoc, as well as the Alchemist, Kanye West, Lil' Jon, and Red Spyda. It features guest appearances from Big Noyd, Jadakiss, Lil' Jon, Littles, Nate Dogg and Twista.
The Pack was an American hip hop group formed in Berkeley, California in 2005. It was composed of rappers Lil B, Young L, Stunnaman, and Lil Uno. The group released the mixtapes Wolfpack Muzik, Vol. 1 in 2005 and Wolfpack Muzik, Vol.2 in March 2006. The latter release featured "Vans", which received heavy radio play on the West Coast and became the Pack's best known song.
Illmatic is the debut studio album by the American rapper Nas. It was released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. After signing with the label with the help of MC Serch, Nas recorded the album in 1992 and 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. The album's production was handled by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and Nas himself. Styled as a hardcore hip-hop album, Illmatic features multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives based on Nas' experiences growing up in the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York.
Last 2 Walk is the ninth studio album by American Southern hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. It was released on June 24, 2008 by Hypnotize Minds and Columbia Records. Production was handled mostly by the last two remaining members, DJ Paul and Juicy J, as well as Akon, Dead Executives, DJ Montay and Superpower, with co-producer Giorgio Tuinfort. It features guest appearances from Project Pat, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Akon, Al Kapone, DJ Spanish Fly, Good Charlotte, Lil Wyte, Lyfe Jennings, Unk, Superpower and Young D.
"Vans" is the debut single by American hip hop group the Pack, released in 2006 as the lead single from their EP Skateboards 2 Scrapers (2006). It is their most successful song, peaking at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. The title references the skate shoe brand of the same name.
Hate It or Love It is the fourth studio album by American rapper Chingy. It was released on December 18, 2007, via Disturbing tha Peace, Slot-A-Lot Records and Def Jam Recordings.
Based Boys is the debut album by American hip hop group the Pack. It was released on October 30, 2007, through Up All Nite, an imprint of Jive Records. It follows the group's breakout hit "Vans" and debut EP Skateboards 2 Scrapers, which were released in 2006. A hip hop and hyphy album, Based Boys consists of 17 songs, including 4 bonus tracks. It received mixed reviews from critics, who considered it unoriginal and repetitive, however the production by Young L was often praised. Upon the album's release, it was deemed a commercial failure, and the Pack were dropped from their label.
Get Off the Stage is the seventeenth studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on December 4, 2007 by Jive Records, making it his fourteenth and final release with the label. Recording sessions took place at Blue Basement Recordings and at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and Young L Productions Studio. Production was handled by Traxamillion, Cooly C, DJ Kizzy Rock, Spec, Anthony Taylor, Gennessee and Young L, with Too Short serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Dolla Will, E-40, Ginger, Kool-Ace, Mistah F.A.B., Ms. Hollywood, and the Pack.
Maximum Strength is the tenth solo studio album by American rapper KRS-One. It was released on June 10, 2008 via Koch Records. Production was handled by Duane "DaRock" Ramos, James Desmond, Dirt, Oh No and Ser Kenoe, with Simone Parker serving as executive producer. The name Maximum Strength was originally the title for an album recorded by KRS-One in 1998-1999 for Jive Records that still remains unreleased. When promoting this album in 2008 it was said to finally be a release of the shelved LP and the label even posted track lists and cover very different from the final release.
Eddy Castellanos Sr.,, known professionally as A.D.O.R., was a U.S. hip hop artist whose work includes the Pete Rock-produced hit "Let It All Hang Out", and "One for the Trouble", produced by K-Def. The latter has been sampled extensively in later songs, most famously in "Renegade Master" by Roger "Wildchild" McKenzie.
Wolfpack Party is the second and final studio album by the Bay Area rap group the Pack. It was released on August 24, 2010, through SMC Recordings/Indie Pop.
Rip the Jacker is the fifth studio album by American rapper Canibus. Produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind of the group Jedi Mind Tricks, the album was released on July 22, 2003, through Babygrande Records.
Angels Exodus is the fourth studio album by the American rapper Lil B, released on January 18, 2011. Unlike Lil B's previous releases, which were often released for free download, Angels Exodus was distributed via digital purchase by Amalgam Digital. It is also shorter when compared to his previous releases, with a runtime of 39 minutes. A hip hop album, Angels Exodus sees Lil B deviating from his usual subject matter to deliver more serious and introspective lyrics. It is loosely built around a theme of Lil B fighting undead creatures, who serve as metaphors for people. Although Angels Exodus received mixed reviews, many critics considered it a display of Lil B's artistic growth.
Joshua Paul Davis, better known by his stage name DJ Shadow, is an American DJ and record producer. His debut studio album, Endtroducing....., was released in 1996. He is known for layered production that uses numerous samples, often from obscure sources, to create new compositions and whose music was described in Allmusic as having "revolutionized hip-hop".
