Just a Poet with Soul is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Def Jef. It was released on November 14, 1989, through Delicious Vinyl. Production was handled by the Dust Brothers, Def Jef himself, and Michael Ross, who also served as executive producer. It features contributions from N'Dea Davenport and Etta James on vocals, Kevin O'Neal on bass, Michael Kory on piano, and Julio G on turntables. The album produced three singles: "Droppin Rhymes on Drums", "Black to the Future" and "Poet with Soul".
Jazzmatazz, Volume 1: An Experimental Fusion of Hip-Hop and Jazz, is the debut solo studio album by American hip hop recording artist Guru. It was released on May 18, 1993, by Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was handled by Guru himself, who also served as executive producer together with Duff Marlowe and Patrick Moxey.
The Coming is the debut solo studio album by 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 Def Squad members Redman, Keith Murray, and Jamal, as well as Q-Tip, Zhané, Leaders of the New School and several Flipmode Squad members. Production of the album was handled 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.
Jazzmatazz, Volume II is the second solo studio album by American hip hop musician Guru. It was released on July 18, 1995, through Chrysalis Records as the second installment of the rapper's Jazzmatazz album series.
Full Circle is the sixth studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on October 17, 2006 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios and Planet 2 Planet Studios in New York, and StarBass Enterprise Recording Studios in New Jersey. Production was handled by Allen Gordon, DJ Felli Fel, DJ Khalil, DJ Quik, Dublin Beats, Fyre Dept., Rick Rock, The Arkitects, Warryn Campbell, and Jelly Roll, who also served as executive producer together with Keith Shocklee and Xzibit. It features guest appearances from Jelly Roll, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, DJ Quik, Don Blaze, King Tee, The Game, Too $hort, T-Pain and Donnell Rawlings.
High Society is the second studio album by American hip hop group Kottonmouth Kings. It was released June 27, 2000 via Suburban Noize/Capitol Records. Production was handled by member Daddy X, who also served as executive producer, Mike Kumagai, and co-producer Phil Kaffel, except for one track, "King's Blend", which was produced by Eric "E-Man" Roger. It features guest appearances from Dog Boy, Corporate Avenger, Grand Vanacular, Insane Clown Posse, Sen Dog, T.S.O.L., and Sky Blue.
Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".
Back in Business is the fifth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. It was released on September 16, 1997, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Soundtrack Studios in New York. Production was handled by members Erick Sermon and PMD, as well as DJ Scratch, with Agallah and Rockwilder serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Das EFX, Keith Murray, Nocturnal and Redman.
Out of Business is the sixth studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD. The album was originally scheduled for a December 1998 release under Def Jam Recordings, but had been delayed numerous times as a result of a merger between Seagram's PolyGram and Universal Music Group's MCA Records, combining Def Jam and Island Records' operations together under the Island Def Jam Music Group. Ultimately, the album was released on July 20, 1999. It is the first official Def Jam album released under the newly-formed Island Def Jam Music Group and the group's last album released under the label as they left the imprint a year later before going inactive for the second time.
Straight Up Sewaside is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Das EFX. It was released on November 16, 1993 via East West Records. Recording sessions took place at Northshore Soundworks in Commack, New York. Production was handled by Solid Scheme and Charlie Marotta, with PMD serving as executive producer. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It was supported with two singles, "Freakit" and "Baknaffek". Its lead single, "Freakit", was released on October 21, 1993 and made it to number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kevin Madison, also known as K-Solo is an American rapper from Brentwood, New York who, along with Redman, EPMD, Das EFX, and Keith Murray, was part of the Hit Squad in the 1990s.
The Hit Squad is an American hip hop collective of East coast hip hop artists. Originally formed in the 1990s by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith of the rap group EPMD, the group included rap artists such as K-Solo, Redman, Das EFX, Top Quality, and Knucklehedz. When EPMD broke up for the first time in 1993, the collective separated, with Sermon forming Def Squad and Smith retaining the Hit Squad name.
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.
Business Is Business is the second solo studio album by the American rapper PMD. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Relativity Records. The production was handled by Agallah, Charlie Marotta, DJ Scratch, Solid Scheme and Fabian Hamilton with PMD serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Das EFX, M.O.P. and Nocturnal.
I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier is the second solo studio album by American rapper Willie D. It was released on September 15, 1992, through Rap-A-Lot Records with distribution via Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Track Design Studios and at Ultimate Sound Studios in Houston. Production was handled by Crazy C, Goldfingers, John Bido, Roland and Willie D.
Magnum Opus is the only studio album by American rapper Top Quality. It was released on May 24, 1994 though RCA Records. Recording sessions took place at Black Zone Studio in Long Island, Fingers Studio and Platinum Island Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Charlie Marotta, Jesse West, Black Zone, Hell Raisin, John Hall, Keivan Mack, Kevin A. Pyatt, Solid Scheme and Tray Bag, with PMD serving as executive producer.
Cats & Dogs is the second solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Evidence. It was released on September 27, 2011 through Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at ALC Laboratories in Santa Monica, Soundproof West in Venice, The Drug Lab and Soundproof East in Los Angeles, Infamous Studios in Queens, Stophouse Studios in Minneapolis and All This Could Be Yours in San Francisco. Production was handled by the Alchemist, Sid Roams, DJ Premier, Rahki, Charli Brown, Twiz the Beat Pro, and Evidence himself. It features guest appearances from Aesop Rock, Aloe Blacc, Catero, Krondon, Lil' Fame, Prodigy, Raekwon, Rakaa Iriscience, Ras Kass, Roc Marciano, Slug, Step Brothers and Termanology, with cameos from Amber Strother, Danny Keyz, Noelle Scaggs and Wendy Guerra.
Songs of the Ungrateful Living is the sixth solo studio album by the American recording artist Everlast. It was released on October 18, 2011, a follow-up to Love, War and the Ghost of Whitey Ford, by Martyr Inc Records in partnership with EMI. This was Everlast's second record released on his own label.
Directors of Photography is the fifth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on August 12, 2014, via Rhymesayers Entertainment. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof in Venice with additional recording at The Drug Lab in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Bravo, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Jake One, Oh No and Twiz the Beat Pro. It features guest appearances from Aloe Blacc, Catero, Defari, Gangrene, Krondon, Sick Jacken, Vince Staples, with Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, Fashawn, Rapsody and Vinnie Paz appearing on one of the two bonus tracks.
Spirit World Field Guide is the eighth studio album by American hip hop artist Aesop Rock. It was released on November 13, 2020, through Rhymesayers Entertainment. It acts as a "guide" to the Spirit World. The album was preceded by two singles: "The Gates" released on September 9, and "Pizza Alley" released on October 16, 2020. Both were released with music videos directed by Rob Shaw and featuring animation from Justin "Coro" Kaufman, who also designed the album's cover art. A third single and music video, "Coveralls", was released on November 13 alongside the album.
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