The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on September 11, 2001, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and Baseline Studios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z's previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, who also contributes the album's sole guest feature.
The Dynasty: Roc-La-Familia is the fifth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, featuring prominent appearances from signees of Roc-A-Fella Records. It was released on October 31, 2000, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its lead single, "I Just Wanna Love U ", produced by The Neptunes, was one of Jay-Z's most successful singles peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with 557,789 copies sold in its first week. The album is certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The album received widely positive reviews from music critics and the album ended up becoming the 20th highest-selling R&B/hip-hop album of the 2000–2010 decade according to Billboard.
Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip is the debut studio album by American girl group TLC, released on February 25, 1992, by LaFace Records. The title of the album comes from the last line of Left Eye's rap on "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg".
14 Shots to the Dome is the fifth studio album by American hip hop recording artist LL Cool J. It was released on March 30, 1993 via Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Marley's House Of Hits, at Cove City Sound Studios and at Unique Recording Studios in New York, and at QDIII Soundlab in Los Angeles, at Bobcat's House in Palmdale, and at Encore Studio in Burbank. Production was handled by Marley Marl, DJ Bobcat, Quincy Jones III, Andrew Zenable and Chris Forte. It features guest appearances from Lords of the Underground and Lieutenant Stitchie.
Cali Iz Active is the fourth studio album by rap group Tha Dogg Pound and is also the name of the album's title track and lead single. It was released through Koch and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle Records on June 27, 2006.
So So Gangsta is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper Daz Dillinger. It was released on September 12, 2006 via So So Def/Virgin Records simultaneously with an instrumental album entitled So So Gangsta - The Album Sampler. Recording sessions took place at Studio Atlantis and at the Crippin Kitchen in Los Angeles, at the Hit Factory Criteria and at Poe Boy Studios in Miami, and at SouthSide Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled by Jermaine Dupri, No I.D., Scott Storch and Daz himself, with LRoc, Ivan Johnson and Soopafly serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Avery Storm, Ice Cube, Jagged Edge, Johntá Austin, Kurupt, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly and The Kid Slim. The album debuted at number 35 on the Billboard 200 with just over 23,000 albums sold its first week. It has reached 150,000 moved units according to SoundScan on October 10, 2007.
The Professional 2 is the second studio album by American record producer DJ Clue. It was released on February 27, 2001 via Roc-A-Fella Records, a division of UMG's Def Jam Recordings. It serves as a sequel to his 1998 debut studio album The Professional.
Based on a True Story is the second solo studio album by American rapper Mack 10. It was released on September 16, 1997 through Priority Records. Production was handled by Ant Banks, Binky Mack, DJ Bobcat, Young Tre, Ice Cube, Soopafly, and Mack 10 himself. It features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Allfrumtha I, E-40, Snoop Dogg, The Comrads and Too $hort. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200, number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 21, 1997.
Hip Hop Lives is the collaborative studio album by American rapper KRS-One and record producer Marley Marl. It was released on May 22, 2007 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in New York and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, except for one track produced with 88 Fingers. It features guest appearances from Blaq Poet, Busy Bee Starski and Magic Juan. The album's title is a response to Nas's 2006 album Hip Hop Is Dead.
Legend of the Mask and the Assassin is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles-based record producer DJ Muggs and Psycho Realm's rapper Sick Jacken featuring fellow Sick Symphonies' member Cynic of Street Platoon. It was released on September 11, 2007 via Rebel Music Group/Universal Music Latino, serving as Muggs' second album in his "DJ Muggs vs." series. Recording sessions took place at MGS Sound Lab in Burbank, California. Production was handled entirely by Muggs, who also served as executive producer with Jacken.
American Gangster is the tenth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was conceived as a concept album—inspired by the 2007 film of the same name—and was released on November 6 of that year through Roc-A-Fella Records. The album features production from Diddy & the Hitmen, Just Blaze, and the Neptunes, among others. It also includes guest appearances by Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, and Nas. The album's production is built around 1970s soul and funk, with instruments featured on the album played by professional musicians including, horns, string arrangements, drummers, and unconventional percussion created with bottles. The album's theme is based around the gangster lifestyle, the American Dream, and Jay-Z's memories of growing up in Brooklyn, New York's Marcy.
"Roc Boys ..." is the second single from Jay-Z's tenth studio album, American Gangster. The song is produced by Skyz Muzik, Diddy and two of his producers known as LV and Sean C from his production team, The Hitmen. It features additional vocals by Beyoncé, Kanye West and Cassie. The song samples "Make the Road by Walking" by The Menahan Street Band. On December 11, 2007, Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2007.
Only on the Left Side is the tenth solo studio album by American rapper Daz Dillinger. It was released on August 12, 2008 through D.P.G. Recordz/Fontana Distribution, while had been initially scheduled for an April or May release. Production was handled by Ivan Johnson, Soopafly, Lil' Ronnie, Salam Wreck, Swizz Beatz, and Daz himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Keak da Sneak, Krayzie Bone, Kurupt, Manish Man, Nicole Wray, Obie Trice, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly, Swizz Beatz, Tyrese and Big Von. The album peaked at number 38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 17 on the Top Rap Albums and number 46 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States with 2,132 copies sold in its first week. It was preceded by the only single "Dip Drop Stop Dip".
DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill: Kill Devil Hills is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles-based record producer DJ Muggs and New York-based rapper Ill Bill. It was released on August 31, 2010 via Fat Beats, serving as Muggs' third album in his "DJ Muggs vs." series. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, except for two track produced by G. Rocka and DJ Khalil. It features guest appearances from B-Real, Sick Jacken, Chace Infinite, Everlast, O.C., Q-Unique, Raekwon, Slaine, Sean Price, Vinnie Paz and Uncle Howie. The album is dedicated to Ill Bill's uncle, Howard Tenebaum, who died five months before the record release. Kill Devil Hills peaked at number 86 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 21 on the Top Rap Albums and number 17 on Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States, and also named one of 'Top 25 Albums of 2010' by HipHopDX.
Young Roscoe Philaphornia is the debut studio album by American rapper Roscoe. It was released on June 10, 2003 via Priority Records. Production was handled by Organized Noize, J. Wells, the Co-Stars, Caspa, Def Jef, DJ Quik, Fingazz, L.T. Hutton, Soopafly and Soul G, with Andrew Shack and Kurupt serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Kokane, LaToiya Williams, Sleepy Brown and Youth Authority. The album peaked at number 148 on the Billboard 200 and number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Its singles, "Head to Toe" and "Smooth Sailin'", made it to Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at #95 and #73, respectively.
Nothing Was the Same is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. Work on the record began in 2012 and continued through 2013. As an executive producer, Drake enlisted collaborators such as 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Jhené Aiko and Sampha for guest appearances on the album. The album's production was primarily handled by 40 and other OVO Sound producers; including Boi-1da, Mike Zombie, Nineteen85 and Detail.
Welcome to Jamrock is the third studio album by Reggae/Dancehall artist Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. The album was released on September 12, 2005, in the United Kingdom and September 13, 2005, in the United States.
More Life is a commercial mixtape by Canadian rapper and singer Drake. Described and marketed as a playlist, some publications have referred to it as a mixtape. It was released on March 18, 2017, through Republic Records and distributed by Cash Money Records and Young Money Entertainment. Production of More Life was handled by a variety of record producers, including 40, Frank Dukes, Boi-1da, Murda Beatz, T-Minus, Nineteen85, and Kanye West, among others. An ensemble of guest vocalists also appear, including West, Young Thug, Giggs, Skepta, Quavo, Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, Jorja Smith, Sampha, and PartyNextDoor.
Victory Lap is the only studio album by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on February 16, 2018 through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. It was Nipsey Hussle's first major commercial release after releasing a string of mixtapes for thirteen years as well as the only full-length album released during his lifetime. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units; it reached a new peak of number two in April 2019, following Hussle's death. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.
PRhyme 2 is the second studio album by American hip hop duo PRhyme, consisting of Royce da 5'9" and DJ Premier. Produced entirely by DJ Premier, the album features samples composed by producer AntMan Wonder. It was released on March 16, 2018 via their own record label PRhyme Records and INgrooves Music Group, and is a sequel to the eponymous album PRhyme. The album features guest appearances from rappers 2 Chainz, Big K.R.I.T., Dave East, Rapsody, Roc Marciano, Yelawolf, Chavis Chandler, bassist Brady Watt and singers Novel, CeeLo Green and Denaun Porter.
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