Cracked Rear View is the debut studio album by Hootie & the Blowfish, released on July 5, 1994, by Atlantic Records. Released to positive critical reviews, it eventually became one of the highest-selling albums in the United States, and also one of the best-selling albums worldwide, with over 20 million units.
Come On Over is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain. Mercury Records in North America released it on November 4, 1997. Similar to her work on its predecessor, The Woman in Me (1995), Twain entirely collaborated with producer and then-husband Robert John "Mutt" Lange. With both having busy schedules, they often wrote apart and later intertwined their ideas. Twain wanted to improve her songwriting skills and write a conversational album reflecting her personality and beliefs. The resulting songs explore themes of romance and female empowerment, addressed with humour.
Spiceworld is the second studio album by English girl group the Spice Girls, released on 1 November 1997 by Virgin Records. Its music incorporates dance-pop music and production. The album became a commercial success worldwide, lengthening the so-called "Spicemania" of the time. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, with first-week sales of 190,000 copies and shipped 1.4 million copies in two weeks. The album also reached number one in 13 countries, while peaking inside the top three in Australia, Canada, France, Switzerland and the United States. Spiceworld has sold over 14 million copies worldwide, making it one of the world's best-selling albums by a girl group.
Aquarium is the debut studio album by Danish band Aqua, released on 26 March 1997. The album is best known for including the globally successful single "Barbie Girl", which went on to become a widely recognizable hit around the world, as well as the popular track “Lollipop (Candyman)”. The album also featured the songs "Doctor Jones" and "Turn Back Time". In early 1997, the release of Aquarium was initially preceded by the singles "Roses Are Red" and "My Oh My", which was released a second time in 1998.
Jonathan David Buck is an American R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. His debut album Bonafide (1995) spawned the hit singles "Pretty Girl" and "Someone to Love", the latter of which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated at the Grammys Awards for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The following year, he co-wrote the single "Say You'll Be There" for the Spice Girls. His second album Cool Relax (1997), was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Cool Relax included the hit singles "Are U Still Down" and "They Don't Know". His third album, Pleasures U Like (2001) reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.
Backstreet Boys is the reissue of the 1996 album of the same name, released by the vocal-pop group Backstreet Boys in the United States on August 12, 1997. Its initial release contains six tracks from their first studio album, Backstreet Boys (1996) and five tracks from their second studio album Backstreet's Back (1997). Released a day after Backstreet's Back, both albums share nearly the same cover but with different titles. The album served as their debut in the United States, where their previous records were not released.
The Last Shall Be First is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Sunz of Man. It was released on July 21, 1998, through Red Ant Entertainment/Wu-Tang Records. Production was handled by 4th Disciple, True Master, RZA, Supreme and Wyclef Jean, with Cathy Jones and Sunz of Man serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Method Man, Traybag, Beretta 9, Earth, Wind & Fire, Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon and U-God.
Don Cartagena is the third studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on September 1, 1998 through Atlantic Records, Big Beat, Mystic Entertainment Group and Fat Joe's Terror Squad Productions. Production was handled by Armageddon, Baby Paul, Buckwild, Curt Gowdy, Dame Grease, DJ Premier, JAO, L.E.S., Mack 10, Marley Marl, Rashad Smith, Ski Beatz, Spunk Bigga, V.I.C. and Younglord, with Craig Kallman, Fat Joe and Greg Angelides serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from fellow Terror Squad members Big Punisher, Armageddon, Prospect, Cuban Link and Triple Seis, as well as Charli Baltimore, Jadakiss, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Nas, Noreaga, Puff Daddy, Raekwon and Rell.
Beat'n Down Yo Block! is the debut studio album by Atlanta-based American rapper Unk. It was released on October 3, 2006 through Koch Records. Production was handled by DJ Montay, MC Assault, Freddie B, Big Korey and Joe Durty. It features guest appearances from DJ Montay, Dru, Baby D, Backbone, Big Korey, D.G. Yola, DJ Jelly, Jazze Pha, Jizzleman, Loko and Parlae. The album peaked at number 109 on the Billboard 200, number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 8 on the Top Rap Albums, and topped the Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States.
Straight Outta Compton: N.W.A 10th Anniversary Tribute is a tribute album to the American Compton-based hip hop group N.W.A, released through Priority Records in 1998 on the tenth anniversary of the group's debut studio album Straight Outta Compton. It is composed of twelve of the thirteen songs in the order identical to the original, covered by N.W.A. members' affiliates, such as Ice Cube's Westside Connection groupmates WC and Mack 10 along with Hoo-Bangin' Records labelmates Allfrumtha I, Boo Kapone, MC Eiht and The Comrads, Eazy-E's protégés Gangsta Dresta and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Dr. Dre's long time partner Snoop Dogg with Snoop's allies C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker, and Aftermath Ent. signee King Tee, as well as several other fellow rappers, including Ant Banks, Jayo Felony, J Dubb, Mr. Mike, Big Pun, Cuban Link and Fat Joe. Production was mostly handled by Ant Banks, as well as Craig B. of Beats by the Pound, Krayzie Bone, Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, with Andrew M. Shack and Marvin Watkins served as executive producers. The album peaked at number 142 on the Billboard 200 and 31 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Music video was shot for the title track.
No Pain No Gain is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Ghetto Twiinz. It was released on September 22, 1998, through Rap-A-Lot Records. Recording sessions took place at Hippie House Studios in Houston, Texas. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Mr. Lee, and Leroy "Precise" Edwards, who is also served as executive producer together with J. Prince. It features guest appearances from 007, 2-4, DMG, D. Shype, G Mone', Gotti, Lo-Life, Mia X, Scarface, Tela, Willie D and Yukmouth. The album debuted at No. 191 on the Billboard 200, No. 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 15 on the Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States.
Skin Deep is the debut studio album by American rapper Solé. It was released on September 28, 1999, through DreamWorks Records. Production was handled by Focus..., Big Trev, Chuckey Charles, Colin Wolfe, Kevin Davis, Rashad Smith, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, who also served as executive producer together with Timmy Regisford. It features guest appearances from JT Money, Big Gipp, Bobbi Bosselina, J-Weav, Kandi Burruss, L.O., Ms. Toi, Mr. Raja, Tamar Braxton and Tech N9NE.
Ghetto Organized is the only studio album by American hip hop group the Gambino Family. It was released on October 20, 1998, via No Limit Records and was entirely produced by Beats By The Pound. It features guest appearances from 241, Big Ed, C-Murder, Fiend, Full Blooded, Ghetto Commission, KLC, Mac, Magic, Master P, Mia X, Mo B. Dick, Mr. Serv-On, Mystikal, O'Dell, Porsha, QB, Silkk the Shocker and Snoop Dogg. The album peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart selling 160,000 copies in its first week, but the group never released a follow-up and have not been heard of since. The tracks "Studio B" and "Childhood Years" were released as promotional singles.
The Game of Funk is the only studio album by American R&B/hip hop quartet Sons of Funk. It was released on April 21, 1998, via No Limit/Priority Records. Production was handled by Sons of Funk themselves, as well as KLC and Mo B. Dick, with Master P serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Master P, Silkk the Shocker and Mo B. Dick. The album peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200 and number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Its lead single "Pushin' Inside You" made it to number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its second single "I Got the Hook Up!", which was previously included in 1998 crime comedy film I Got the Hook-Up soundtrack, reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gangsta Harmony is the only solo studio album by American singer and record producer Mo B. Dick. It was released on April 13, 1999 through No Limit Records. Recording sessions took place at The Ice Cream Shop, at Westlake Audio and at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, and at Enterprise Studios in Burbank, California. Production was handled by Beats By The Pound and Sons of Funk, with Master P serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from C-Murder, Sons of Funk, Big Ed, Dolliolie, Fiend, KLC, Lil' Gotti, Magic, Mac, Mia X, Mr. Serv-On, O'Dell, Silkk the Shocker, Chub, Claude Achille, and Cool-Ass Alicis. The album peaked at number 66 on the Billboard 200 and number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums only selling 31,000 copies in its first week. A music video for the single "Shoot' m up Movies" was released.
"All Cried Out" is a song recorded by American band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam from their 1985 album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force. The song became a major hit, reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 in October 1986. It was also a major hit on the US R&B chart, peaking at number three.
Til My Casket Drops is the fourth studio album by American rapper C-Bo. It was released February 24, 1998, through AWOL/Noo Trybe Records. Recording sessions took place at TML Studios in Hayward, Live Oak Studios in Berkeley, The Lab in San Francisco, Sick Wid' It Studio, EMI Recording Studio in Hollywood, AWOL Studios and The Mob Shop in Fairfield. Production was handled by One Drop Scott, B.C., JT the Bigga Figga, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Studio Ton, DJ Daryl, Femi Ojetunde, with C-Bo serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from 151, JT the Bigga Figga, Killa Tay, Laroo T.H.H., Lunasicc, Pizzo, Lil' Bo, Mac Mall, Marvaless, Mississippi, Outlawz, Big Syke, E-40, Spice 1, X-Raided, Big Lurch, Bobby G, and first appearance of the Mob Figaz.
Enemy of the State is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper C-Bo. It was released July 25, 2000 through West Coast Mafia/Warlock Records, making it his first album for his own indie label, West Coast Mafia Records, after leaving AWOL Records, which he did after the release of Til My Casket Drops. Recording sessions took place at Studio Prime in Seattle, Cosmic Slop Shop in Sacramento, Def Low Studio and GLP Studios in San Francisco, Nod Factor Studios in Missouri, and Hard Tyme Records. Production was handled by Mike Dean, Mike Mosley, DJ Squeeky, Rick Rock, Wino, Beezie, JT the Bigga Figga, Meko, Mr. Lee and One Drop Scott, with C-Bo serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Killa Tay, Mob Figaz, Yukmouth, CJ Mac, Daz Dillinger, Dotty, JT the Bigga Figga, Lil' Keke, Too Short and WC.
Disturbed is the third album by American rapper Coo Coo Cal. It was released on September 18, 2001, through Tommy Boy Records. Production was mostly handled by Bigg Hank, though Rated X, Bink!, DJ Cipha Sounds, Double 8 and KayGee also contributed production to the album. It features guest appearances from Midwikid, Mr. Do It To Death, Gage, Koffee Brown, Lil' Niq, Mocha, Nothing Typical, Twista, Indo G, Kurupt and Trick Daddy.
West Coast Mafia is a compilation album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist C-Bo. It was released July 23, 2002, via West Coast Mafia Records. Production was handled by Pizzo, Bosko, Spade & Crash, Flossy P, Mobetta, Rick Rock, Roger Troutman Jr., Vonzail and Wino, with C-Bo serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Big Lurch, Bobby Sealz, Bosko, Brotha Lynch Hung, CJ Mac, Cool Nutz, Cozmo, Crysis, E-40, Fat Tone, H60dsta Rob, Killa Tay, Lil' Cyco, Marvaless, Max Julian, Mr. Short Khop, Phats Bossi, Pizzo, Spade & Crash, Speedy, Thug Misses, Young Meek and Yukmouth. The album peaked at number 136 on the Billboard 200, number 38 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 10 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States.
