The Platform is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on May 23, 2000, through Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Audio X in Burbank, D&D Studios in New York, Can Am Studios in Tarzana and Threshold Studios in Santa Monica. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Joey Chavez, E-Swift, KutMasta Kurt and T-Ray. It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, B-Real, Everlast, and Likwit Crew members Defari, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and Tha Alkaholiks. The album represents a movement of several California underground hip hop artists away from the violence and misogyny of gangsta rap, towards a more traditional, conscious form of rap.
Willennium is the second studio album by American rapper Will Smith. Recorded with a range of producers, including Poke & Tone and frequent collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, it was released on November 16, 1999, by Columbia Records. The album reached number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, making this Smith's second top ten album and second multi-platinum album following Big Willie Style in 1997. The album also reached the top ten on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified multi-platinum in that region and in other regions. "Wild Wild West", "Will 2K" and "Freakin' It" were released as singles.
The Coming is the debut studio album by the American rapper and record producer Busta Rhymes. It was released on March 26, 1996, by Flipmode Entertainment and Elektra Records. The album contains contributions by the Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal; as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School, and several Flipmode Squad members. It was produced by DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, and the Ummah, among others. It serves as Rhymes's first solo album after the breakup of Leaders of the New School two years prior, and his first full-length project after numerous guest appearances on other songs with artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, the Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D and the Boyz, and Mary J. Blige.
Real Brothas is the debut studio album by American rappers B.G. Knocc Out and Dresta. It was released on August 15, 1995 through Outburst Records. Recording sessions took place at Kitchen Sync Studio and Skip Saylor Recording in Hollywood, and at Solid Studios in Studio City, California. Production was handled by Rhythm D, Doctor Jam, Madness 4 Real, Charlie B and Vic C, with Anthony "Anti" Lewis and Greedy Greg serving as executive producers. The album debuted at number 128 on the Billboard 200, number 15 on the Top R&B Albums and number five on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
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.
Da Storm is the first studio album by American hip hop trio Originoo Gunn Clappaz. It was released on October 29, 1996, through Duck Down/Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Unique Studios in New York, and at WPGC FM in Washington. Production was handled by Da Beatminerz, DJ Ogee, E-Swift, Shaleek and Steele. It features guest appearances from Bad Vybes, M.S., Sadat X, Sean Black and the Representativz. The album peaked at number 47 on the Billboard 200 and number 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Two singles were released from the album: "No Fear" and "Hurricane Starang".
Basic Training is a greatest hits album by American hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik, composed of singles released by Black Moon, Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah and Originoo Gunn Clappaz between 1992 and 1999. It was released on March 14, 2000 via Priority Records. Production was handled by Da Beatminerz, BJ Swan, Black Market, Cuzin Bawb, E-Swift, Mark "Boogie" Brown, Self and Starang Wondah, with Buckshot and Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman serving as executive producers.
Legal Drug Money is the debut studio album by American hip hop group the Lost Boyz. It was released on June 4, 1996, via Universal Records. The recording sessions took place at Greene St. Recording, Quad Recording Studios and D&D Studios in New York. It was produced by Big Dex, Mr. Sex, Easy Mo Bee, Big L, "Buttnaked" Tim Dawg, Dwarf the Black Prince, Pete Rock, member Mr. Cheeks, with Charles Suitt serving as co-producer and executive producer.
Get In Where You Fit In is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper Too Short. It was released on October 26, 1993, through Jive Records, making it his fifth release for the label. Recording sessions took place at Dangerous Studios. Production was handled by The Dangerous Crew and Quincy Jones III. It features guest appearances from Ant Banks, Ant Diddley Dog, Father Dom, FM Blue, Mhisani, Pee Wee, Rappin' Ron, Ronese Levias and Spice 1.
Wild Cowboys is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X of Brand Nubian. It was released on July 15, 1996, via Loud Records. The recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Greene St. Recording in New York, and at Chris Biondo Studios in Washington, D.C. It was produced by Sadat, Diamond D, Buckwild, DJ Ogee, Ali Malek, Ant Greene Father Time, Da Beatminerz, Dante Ross, DJ Alamo, Minnesota, Pete Rock, and Showbiz. It features guest appearances from Shawn Black, DV Alias Khrist, Deda, Grand Puba, Kool Chuck, Money Boss Players, Tec, Sha Sha and Regina Hall. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Total is the debut album by American female R&B trio Total. It was released by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records on January 30, 1996, in the United States. Chiefly produced by Bad Boy head Sean "Puffy" Combs, the album peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top five of the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Total was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned the hit singles "Can't You See", "No One Else", "Kissin' You" and "Do You Think About Us"/"When Boy Meets Girl".
Waitin' to Inhale is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released on March 20, 2007, through Rap-A-Lot Records, making it his final record for the label. Recording sessions took place at The Coughee Pot, Studio 7303 and Dean's List House of Hits in Houston. Production was handled by Domo, Chuck Heat, Mike Dean, Sendar, Davey D, Picnic Tyme, Rob Quest, and Devin himself. It features guest appearances from the Coughee Brothaz, André 3000, Bun B, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.
The Latch-Key Child is the debut studio album by American rapper A+. It was released on August 27, 1996 through Kedar Entertainment/Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Battery Studios in New York. Production was handled by Smith Brothers Entertainment, Buckwild, Fabian Hamilton, Miladon, Carl Carr and Ike Lee, with Kedar Massenburg serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from AZ, Prodigy, Q-Tip and Shakira Atily. The album peaked at #36 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #17 on the Top Heatseekers in the United States.
Sittin' on Somethin' Phat is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Ant Banks. It was released on March 9, 1993 via Dangerous Music/Jive Records. Production was handled by Ant Banks and Too $hort. It features guest appearances from Goldy, Pooh-Man, Spice 1 and Too $hort. The album peaked at number 123 on the Billboard 200, number 22 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
Ass, Gas or Cash is the only solo studio album by the American rapper K-Dee. It was released on November 15, 1994, via Lench Mob Records. Recording sessions took place at Lench Mob Studios in Los Angeles, California, with producers Ice Cube, Madness 4 Real, Vic C., 88 X Unit, Shaquille, D Mac and Laylaw. It features guest appearances from Bootsy Collins, Morris Day, Ice Cube, Ayana Anderson and Snow. The album peaked at number 33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 20 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Thought I Saw a Pussy Cat", "The Freshest MC in the World" and "Hittin' Corners".
It Ain't 4 Play is the only studio album released by American hip hop group Funk Mobb. It was released July 15, 1996 via Sick Wid It/Jive Records. Production was handled by K-Lou, Studio Ton, LeVitti, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, Stevie Dee, and Funk Mobb, with E-40 and B-Legit serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from B-Legit, Little Bruce, Smitty, Levitti, Double OJK, Gangsta P, and Poo-Miller. The album peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 28 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. The song "It's Time to Mobb" originally appeared on the Sick Wid' It Records 1995 compilation The Hogg in Me. The album was supported with the single "I Wanna See Ya".
Child of the Ghetto is the debut studio album by American rapper G. Dep. It was released on November 20, 2001, through Bad Boy Entertainment/Arista Records.
Blah, Blah, Blah is the debut studio album by American Brooklyn-based hip hop duo Blahzay Blahzay. It was released on August 13, 1996, on Fader/Mercury/PolyGram Records. The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and at Firehouse Studio, in New York. The album was produced by the duo.
"Unify" is the song written and performed by American hip hop recording artists Kid Capri, Snoop Dogg and Slick Rick. It was recorded at Larrabee Studio in Los Angeles, at Bearsville Studio in Bearsville and at The Hit Factory in New York City, and released in 1998 through Track Masters/Columbia Records as the only single from Kid Capri's sophomore studio album Soundtrack to the Streets. It was produced by Kid Capri himself, and contains a sample from "One Mint Julep" written by Rudy Toombs. Its remix version was produced by Poke & Tone, and contains portions of "Good Times" written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers.
"Bucktown" is a song by American hip hop duo Smif-N-Wessun from their debut studio album Dah Shinin'. It was released in 1994 via Wreck/Nervous Records as the lead single from the album. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt, containing a sample from Jack Bruce's version of "Born to be Blue". The single peaked at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
