G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre is heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It is represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992), Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993), and 2Pac's All Eyez on Me (1996).
Life After Death is the second studio album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released on March 25, 1997, on Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. A double album, it was released sixteen days after his murder. It features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too Short, Angela Winbush, Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC, R. Kelly, the Lox, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits the Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre. The album is a sequel to his first album, Ready to Die, and picks up where the last song, "Suicidal Thoughts", ends.
Danyel Robinson, better known by his stage name Dru Down, is an American rapper and actor from Oakland, California. He is currently a member of The Regime, a collective of rappers that includes Yukmouth, Tech N9ne, Messy Marv, BG Bulletwound, Dorasel, Grant Rice, and Tha Realest.
Samuel Lindley, better known by his stage name The Legendary Traxster, is an American songwriter, rapper and record producer. He is best known as a producer for hip hop artist Twista and group Do or Die. He is the owner of Traxster Inc. and co-CEO of CWAL Records. In 2017, he launched Nothing But Dope, an imprint distributed through Priority Records. He is also one half of the hip hop duo House Lindley, which is composed of him and his wife Latia "Tia London" Lindley.
Rap-A-Lot is a hip hop record label co-founded by James Prince and Cliff Blodget in 1986. Smoke-a-Lot Records is a subsidiary.
Seagram Miller was an American rapper from Oakland, California, United States.
My Homies is the fifth studio album by an American rapper Scarface. It was released March 3, 1998, by Rap-A-Lot and Virgin Records. The album features production by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, N.O. Joe, Scarface, and Tone Capone. Upon its release, My Homies peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, becoming a certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as of April 6, 1998. The album features guest performances from 2Pac, Master P, Ice Cube, Devin the Dude, B-Legit, UGK, Too Short, Do or Die, and Willie D. Scarface appeared solo onto two out of thirty songs, while performing with others on thirteen and does not contribute vocals on fifteen. The sequel to the album, My Homies Part 2, was released on March 7, 2006.
My Soul is the third studio album by rapper Coolio, released on August 26, 1997 and was his last album for Tommy Boy Records. Production was handled by Romeo, Vic C., Bryan "Wino" Dobbs and DJ I-Roc. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA.
Shon Adams, better known by his stage name E-A-Ski, is an American rapper and producer from Oakland, California. He served as both a rapper and producer for No Limit Records, producing on Master P's early records and also releasing some of his own material.
Da Good Da Bad & Da Ugly is the sixth studio album by Houston hip hop group Geto Boys. It was released on November 17, 1998, by Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records.
Spice 1 is the debut studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released on April 14, 1992, on Jive Records. It was certified gold by the RIAA. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Blackjack, E-A-Ski & CMT, and Spice 1. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 82 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. One single, "Welcome to the Ghetto", peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at number 5 on the Billboard Rap Songs.
The Black Bossalini is the fifth studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released on October 28, 1997, via Jive Records. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Paris, Rick Rock, Ali Malek, Clint "Payback" Sands, Femi Ojetunde, Hen-Gee, and Mike Mosley. It features guest appearances from Big Syke, Ice-T, Kokane, Mack 10, MC Breed, Too $hort, WC, and Yukmouth. The album peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200 chart and at number 5 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
Michael George Dean is an American record producer, audio engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his synthesizer-heavy instrumentation and audio mixing for high-profile music industry artists. Beginning his career in 1992, he was first credited on releases for Texas-based rappers such as Scarface, Willie D, and Geto Boys, although he has since worked with artists including The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Drake, Madonna, Selena Gomez, Playboi Carti, and Lana Del Rey, among others. As a non-performing lead artist, Dean has released five solo studio albums: 4:20 (2020), 4:22 (2021), Smoke State 42222 (2022), 4:23 (2023), and 424 (2024).
Thugged Out: The Albulation is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Yukmouth. It was released as double album on November 3, 1998, via Rap-A-Lot Records. The recording sessions took place at Enterprise Studio in Burbank) and at the Hippie House in Houston. The production was handled by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, Don Juan, Tone Capone and Keith "88-Keys" Kinlow, with J. Prince serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from his Regime groupmates Phats Bossilini, Tech N9ne, Madd Maxx and Poppa LQ, a former Luniz partner Numskull, West Coast hip hop acts MC Ren, Outlawz and Tha Dogg Pound, several labelmates from Rap-A-Lot roster, such as the 5th Ward Boyz, DMG, Do or Die, Scarface and Willie D, as well as Fa Sho, Big Lurch, Tela and Val Young among others. The album peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 and at number 8 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Gangsta Party is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Daz Dillinger. It was released on September 25, 2007 through High Powered Entertainment. Production was handled by John Silva, who also served as executive producer together with Daz, and Paul Silva. It features guest appearances from Spice 1, E-40, Francci Richard, G-Dub, Hussein Fatal, Jagged Edge, Jayo Felony, Joe Budden, Keak da Sneak, Kurupt, Mistah F.A.B., Redman, Roscoe, San Quinn, Young Noble, Yukmouth and Erin Thompkins.
The Dark Roads is the debut album by American rapper Seagram, released 1992 on Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album features guest performances by labelmates: Scarface, Ganksta N-I-P, Bushwick Bill and Willie D. It peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Reality Check is the second studio album by American rapper Seagram, released on May 31, 1994 via Rap-A-Lot Records and Priority Records. The album was produced entirely by Jeff Gray, Seagram and Troy White. It would be Seagram's last album during his lifetime. It peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 31 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers.
Joseph Johnson, known by his stage name N.O. Joe, is an American musician, hip hop record producer and songwriter. N.O. Joe was a pioneer of the Southern Hip Hop sound during the 1990s. He operates a production company named Gumbo Funk, which is also a name given to his melange of musical styles
Silence' is the second and final album by Facemob. It was released on November 19, 2002 through Rap-a-Lot Records and peaked at 84 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Original member Devin the Dude did not participate on the album.
Like..? is the debut extended play (EP) by American rapper Ice Spice. It was released on January 20, 2023 through 10K Projects and Capitol Records. Frequent collaborator RiotUSA served as the executive producer for the EP. The EP was preceded by the singles "Munch ", "Bikini Bottom" and "In Ha Mood". The song "Gangsta Boo", with Lil Tjay, was Ice Spice's first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 82, while "In Ha Mood" went on to peak at number 58 on the chart.
