"What's It Gonna Be?!" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes featuring American singer Janet Jackson. It was released as the fourth and last single from Rhymes' third studio album Extinction Level Event:The Final World Front on March 9,1999,by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The song was written by Rhymes,Antoinette Roberson and its producer Darrell "Delite" Allamby. The song was a commercial and critical success,reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of various countries. It also hit number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles &Tracks charts,and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
"The Next Episode" is a single by American rapper-producer Dr. Dre,released in 2000 as the third single from his second studio album,2001 (1999). The track features Snoop Dogg,Kurupt,and Nate Dogg,but only Snoop Dogg is credited. It is a sequel to Dre and Snoop's famous single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" from the former's debut album,The Chronic.
"Luv U Better" is a song by LL Cool J,released as the lead single from his ninth studio album,10 (2002). Released on August 13,2002,by Def Jam Recordings,it was produced by The Neptunes and features additional vocals from Daniel Ramos,of Brentwood,NY. "Luv U Better" was a huge success in the United States,reaching the top five of three major Billboard charts:it peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100,number two on the Hot Rap Tracks,and number one the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"I Just Wanna Love U" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z,released as the first single from his 2000 album The Dynasty:Roc La Familia. It was produced by the Neptunes and features a chorus sung by Neptunes member Pharrell,and Omillio Sparks who all remain uncredited. The video for the song,directed by David Meyers,features cameos from rappers Lil' Kim,Lil' Cease,Damon Dash,Beanie Sigel,Memphis Bleek,Jermaine Dupri and actor John Witherspoon.
"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" is a duet song by American rapper Method Man,featuring American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. The song is a remix of Method Man's "All I Need" which appears on his debut studio album,Tical (1994). The song,a hip hop soul record,was released as a single by Def Jam Recordings and PolyGram Records on April 25,1995.
"Whateva Man" is the second single released for Redman's third album,Muddy Waters. It is a mellow track produced by and featuring Erick Sermon,although he is not in the video. Method Man and Keith Murray appear in the video,although they are not on the song. It reached number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it the most popular single from Muddy Waters. It was included in the 1997 version of The Source Presents:Hip Hop Hits. A remixed version can be found on Too Short's Nationwide:Independence Day compilation. Pete Rock also contributed a remix for possible inclusion on the single;however,it was relegated to exclusive radio play. The video is a parody of the film The Blues Brothers.
"Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" is the lead single from rapper Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The song features production by Rockwilder,including guest vocals by Amil and Beanie Sigel.
"Jigga My Nigga" is a single by Jay-Z from the Ruff Ryders Entertainment compilation Ryde or Die Vol. 1. It was released on May 28,1999. It also appeared as a hidden track on Jay-Z's fourth album,Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter,contained within the final track "Hova Song (Outro)". Produced by Swizz Beatz,it reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song interpolates "Just You Just Me" by The Counts and "What's My Name?" by Snoop Dogg,using the line "what's my motherfuckin' name?". The beat was later remade for "Scenario 2000" by Eve featuring Ruff Ryders.
"Elevators" is a song by American hip hop duo Outkast,released as the lead single from their second studio album,ATLiens. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100,Outkast's highest-peaking song on the chart until the release of "Ms. Jackson" in 2000. The single also peaked at number one on the US Hot Rap Tracks chart. It was later featured on their compilation Big Boi and Dre Present... OutKast.
"Change the Game" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z from his 2000 album The Dynasty:Roc La Familia. It features guest raps by Memphis Bleek and Beanie Sigel,production from Rick Rock and backing vocals by Static Major. Upon release,the song's intention was to promote Sigel and Bleek,but Steve Juon of RapReviews.com considers Jay-Z to outperform both rappers. A music video directed by David Meyers was made for "Change the Game."
"Guilty Until Proven Innocent" is the third and final single from rapper Jay-Z's 2000 album The Dynasty:Roc La Familia. It features production by Rockwilder and a chorus sung by R. Kelly. The song's title flips the legal declaration "innocent until proven guilty" and its lyrics follow suit. Jay-Z's lyrics deal with how the press villainized Jay-Z by accusing him of stabbing his once business partner Lance Rivera on December 2,1999. Jay-Z later pled guilty to stabbing Rivera and was sentenced to 3 years probation for the incident. "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" is also one of the first collaborations between Jay-Z and R. Kelly before they released two albums together.
"Hot Spot" is the first single released from American female hip-hop artist Foxy Brown's second album Chyna Doll. It was released in the United States on November 10,1998. The single was produced by Murder Inc founder Irv Gotti and co-producer Lil' Rob,with lyrics written by Foxy Brown and hip-hop artist Jay-Z. The single received a short-lived buzz and peaked at 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the last time Foxy Brown would make her appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist.
"No Time" is a song by American rapper Lil' Kim. It was released as her debut single in 1996 which served as the first single from Kim's debut album Hard Core. It peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the Top 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "No Time" topped the US Rap Songs for nine weeks,becoming Kim's first number 1 hit on that chart. Additionally,the song charted at number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA. "No Time" contains a sample of Vicki Anderson's "Message from the Soul Sisters" and Lyn Collins's "Take Me Just As I Am".
"You and Me" is a song by LL Cool J,released as a single from his ninth album,G.O.A.T.. It was released on October 17,2000 for Def Jam Recordings,was produced by DJ Scratch and LL Cool J,and featured R&B singer Kelly Price. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard's Hot Rap Singles and #59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
"Big Bad Mama" is a single by American rapper Foxy Brown and American R&B group Dru Hill from the soundtrack to the 1997 film,How to Be a Player. The song also appeared on the European re-issue of Foxy Brown's debut album,Ill Na Na.
"Who We Be" is a song by American hip hop recording artist DMX,released as the second single from his fourth album The Great Depression (2001). The song peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance,but lost to "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy Elliott. An edited version was featured in the 2002 sports game Street Hoops.
"Head Banger",also "Headbanger",is the second single released from EPMD's fourth album,Business Never Personal.
"Da Joint" is the first single from EPMD's fifth album,Back in Business. Produced by Erick Sermon and Rockwilder,"Da Joint" became EPMD's second and final single to make it to the Billboard Hot 100,peaking at 94 on the chart with approximately 100,000 copies sold in the first week. "Da Joint" was released a week before the Back in Business album,making it to the first release by the newly reformed EPMD since the group's 1992 single,"Head Banger".
"Steelo" is the debut single by American R&B group 702 recorded for the group's debut album No Doubt (1996). The song,which features hip hop artist Missy Elliott,was released as the first single for the album in 1996.
"Someone" is a song by American R&B group SWV,released as the second single from their third studio album Release Some Tension on June 24,1997. It features a guest appearance from American rapper and producer Sean Combs. The song samples "Ten Crack Commandments" and "The World is Filled..." both by The Notorious B.I.G.,from his album Life After Death,which had been released five months earlier. "Someone" peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100,receiving a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. In Canada and New Zealand,the single reached number 28,and in the United Kingdom,it debuted at number 34;it is to date SWV's last charting single in all three countries.
