Christian J. Ward, known professionally as Hitmaka, is an American record producer and former rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Ward was the first artist to sign with American rapper DMX's vanity label Bloodline Records in 2001, at the age of 14. Six years later, he signed with Epic Records and adopted the stage name Yung Berg. His 2007 debut single, "Sexy Lady" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, while his guest appearance on Ray J's single, "Sexy Can I" and Ward's own follow-up single, "The Business" peaked at numbers three and 33 on the chart, respectively, the following year; all three of which preceded the release of his debut studio album, Look What You Made Me (2008). Despite generally unfavorable critical reception, it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. After releasing a number of follow-up mixtapes and singles that failed to chart, he shifted focus away from recording in favor of a career in music production by 2014.
Carl McCormick, professionally known as Cardiak, is an American record producer. He began producing music in 2008.
Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, known mononymously as Tinashe, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Tinashe moved to Pasadena, California, as a child, where she pursued work in entertainment. Her notable roles include a motion-capture performance in the animated film The Polar Express (2004), Robin Wheeler in the Cartoon Network television series Out of Jimmy's Head (2007–2008), and a recurring role in the CBS series Two and a Half Men (2008–2009). From 2007 to 2011, she was a member of the girl group the Stunners. After they disbanded, Tinashe released her first musical project, the alternative R&B-styled mixtape In Case We Die (2012) to positive critical reception, and signed with RCA Records shortly after. Her second and third mixtapes, Reverie (2012) and Black Water (2013), received further praise.
Kiana Ledé Brown is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born in Lemoore, California, raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and currently based in Los Angeles, California, she first starred as Zoe Vaughn on the second season of MTV's horror series Scream (2015–2019). She also starred as Veronica Washington on Netflix's original series All About the Washingtons. As a recording artist, Brown first began her musical career in 2012 and signed with Republic Records to release her third extended play (EP), Selfless (2018). It spawned the single "Ex", which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her debut studio album, Kiki (2020) peaked at number 30 on the Billboard 200.
"2 On" is the debut single by American singer Tinashe, released on January 21, 2014 as her first commercial single and the lead single from her debut studio album Aquarius (2014). The song features a guest verse from American rapper Schoolboy Q, songwriting credits from both artists alongside Bobby Brackins, and production from DJ Mustard, Jon Redwine, and DJ Marley Waters, who are also credited as songwriters. It also features an interpolation from the 2005 single "We Be Burnin'" by Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul, resulting in additional writing credits for Cezar Cunningham, Sean Paul, Steven Marsden, Delano Thomas, Michael Jarrett, and Craig Serani Marsh.
Eric Aldwin Bellinger Jr. is an American R&B singer and songwriter. He began songwriting in 2010, and has co-written singles including "Lemme See" by Usher, "New Flame" by Chris Brown, "Right Here" by Justin Bieber, "On Chill" by Wale, and "Music Sounds Better with U" by Big Time Rush. His contributions to Brown's album F.A.M.E. (2011) yielded his first Grammy Award.
Aquarius is the debut studio album by American singer Tinashe, released on October 3, 2014, by RCA Records. In 2011, after the disbandment of the girl group The Stunners, Tinashe announced that she would begin pursuing a solo career. The following year she released her debut mixtape In Case We Die. After raising her profile with the mixtape, Tinashe met with RCA Records where she subsequently signed a recording contract. Following her signing a record deal, Tinashe immediately began working on the album. During the recording process for the debut album, she released two other mixtapes, Reverie (2012) and Black Water (2013).
Deja Monét Trimble, known professionally as Dej Loaf, is an American rapper and singer from Detroit, Michigan. She is best known for her 2014 single "Try Me" and its 2015 follow-up, "Back Up". The latter received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and served as lead single for her debut extended play ...And See That's the Thing (2015), which was released by Columbia Records. Both songs, along with her guest appearance on Kid Ink's 2015 single "Be Real", peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut studio album, Sell Sole II (2020), was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart.
American singer Tinashe has released seven studio albums, four mixtapes, two extended plays and fifty-eight singles, including twenty-seven as a featured artist. Tinashe's debut album, Aquarius, was released in 2014. The lead single from the album was "2 On" and featured rapper ScHoolboy Q. "2 On" peaked at 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the US rhythmic chart and was certified platinum in the US by the RIAA and in Australia by the ARIA. In September 2015, Tinashe announced the tentative title of her second album, Joyride. Following delays in the album's release, Tinashe released the digital album Nightride in 2016. On January 18, 2018, Tinashe released the lead single from 2018 album Joyride, titled "No Drama" featuring Offset. Two more singles, "Faded Love" featuring Future and "Me So Bad" featuring Ty Dolla Sign and French Montana preceded the album.
Trinity Laure'Ale Home , better known by her stage name Tink, is an American rapper and R&B singer from Chicago, Illinois. She signed with record producer Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, an imprint of Epic Records to release her 2014 debut single, "Treat Me Like Somebody". Her 2015 single, "Million", entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100. Both produced by Timbaland, the songs were intended to precede her debut studio album Think Tink, although disagreements with the producer led her to part ways with the label in 2017.
Courtney Shanade Salter, known professionally as Ari Lennox, is an American R&B singer-songwriter from Washington, D.C. She signed with J. Cole's Dreamville Records, an imprint of Interscope Records as the former label's first female artist in 2015. She started gaining recognition after the release of her second extended play (EP) and major label debut, Pho (2016). That same year, she made an uncredited guest appearance on Cole's song "Change". Her debut studio album, Shea Butter Baby (2019), was met with critical praise and lukewarm commercial response.
Matthew Tyler Musto, professionally known as Blackbear, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has released six studio albums, six EPs, one mixtape and two collaborative albums. Musto is also a member of the alternative hip hop duo Mansionz with singer-songwriter Mike Posner.
Nightride is the second studio album by American singer Tinashe. It was released on November 4, 2016, by RCA Records. Its first single, "Company" was released on September 16, 2016. The album also includes the promotional singles "Ride of Your Life" and "Party Favors". Unlike the single version of "Party Favors", the album version does not feature rapper Young Thug. Tinashe recorded the project while recording her third studio album Joyride. The album peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard 200.
Ricardo Valdez Valentine Jr., known professionally as 6lack, is an American R&B singer, rapper, and songwriter. Born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he gained recognition following the release of his 2016 single "Prblms", which marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Love Renaissance, an imprint of Interscope Records to release his debut studio album, Free 6lack (2016), which was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Free 6lack is the debut studio album by American singer 6lack. It was released on November 18, 2016, by LVRN and Interscope Records. The album was supported by two singles: "Ex Calling" and "Prblms". It was nominated at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Sabrina Claudio is an American singer and songwriter. In late 2016, Claudio uploaded several songs to SoundCloud, before compiling a select collection as part of her debut extended play, Confidently Lost, which was released independently in March 2017.
"OTW" is a song by American singers Khalid, Ty Dolla Sign, and 6lack. The artists wrote the song with Brian Alexander Morgan, Idan Kalai and producer Nineteen85. It was released by RCA Records on April 20, 2018, as a stand-alone single, before being added as a bonus track to the vinyl of Khalid's EP Suncity (2018).
"Like I Used To" is a song recorded by American singer Tinashe. It was released for digital download and streaming by RCA Records on July 13, 2018. The song was written by Tinashe alongside the producers of the song, Smash David and Hitmaka. The song was the lead single off Tinashe's now-scrapped fourth studio album Nashe.
American R&B singer 6lack has released three studio albums, one extended play, and 29 singles. His released his debut studio album, Free 6lack in November 2016, which featured the single "Prblms". In September 2018, 6lack released his second album, East Atlanta Love Letter, which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. His third album, Since I Have a Lover, was released on March 24, 2023.
"Throw a Fit" is a song by American singer Tinashe. Produced by RCA Records, the song was released as a single for digital download and streaming on July 26, 2018. The song was the second single off Tinashe's now-scrapped fourth studio album Nashe.
