John David Jackson, better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label Desert Storm Records, in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He rose to further prominence with his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n ." Adopting a further commercially-oriented approach, his second album, Street Dreams (2003), was supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You" —both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Best known for his affiliation with hometown native and fellow East Coast rapper Nas, they formed the New York City-based hip hop group the Firm along with Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature in 1996. Cruz first saw recognition for his guest appearance on Nas' 1994 single "Life's a Bitch", from his album Illmatic (1994). Cruz was then signed by EMI to release his debut studio album, Doe or Die (1995), which was met with critical acclaim. Its lead single, "Sugar Hill" peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Moreover, The Firm's sole album (1997) peaked atop the Billboard 200 chart despite unfavorable critical response; the group disbanded two years later.
O.A.R. is an American rock band, founded in 1996 in Rockville, Maryland. The band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Marc Roberge, drummer Chris Culos, guitarist Richard On, bassist Benj Gershman, and saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo. Touring members include trumpet player Jon Lampley and keyboardist Mikel Paris. Together, the band has released ten studio albums. The band is well known for their live shows and extensive summer touring; they have released six live records, with the latest release, Live From Boston, in December 2024. Four of the band members grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and attended Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School. After graduating, they went on to study at Ohio State University, where they met the fifth member, saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo from Youngstown, Ohio.
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., known professionally as T.I. or Tip, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Harris is credited as one the pioneers of the hip hop subgenre trap music, along with fellow Georgia-based rappers Jeezy and Gucci Mane. He first became acquainted with local music executive Kawan "KP" Prather, and joined his company Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment by the late 1990s. He was led to sign a major-label record deal with its parent company LaFace Records, an imprint of Arista Records in 1999. His debut studio album, I'm Serious (2001), was met with lukewarm critical and commercial reception, becoming his only release with the label. He then signed with Atlantic Records, where he soon reached his mainstream breakthrough and co-founded his own label imprint, Grand Hustle Records by 2003.
Joseph Guillermo Jones II, better known by his stage name Jim Jones, is an American rapper, record producer and record executive. He is a founding member of the hip hop collective the Diplomats, which he formed in 1997 with fellow Harlem native Cam'ron.
Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss is the sixth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 26, 2002, by his Doggystyle label, alongside Priority and Capitol Records. Following his departure from the No Limit Records, he later signed a recording contract to Capitol through Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles, both featuring Pharrell: "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", the latter also featuring Charlie Wilson.
No-Man are an English art pop duo, formed in 1987 as No Man Is an Island (Except the Isle of Man) by singer Tim Bowness and multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson. The band has so far produced seven studio albums and a number of singles/outtakes collections (including 2006's career retrospective All the Blue Changes). The band was once lauded as "conceivably the most important English group since The Smiths" by Melody Maker music newspaper, and a 2017 article of Drowned in Sound described them as "probably the most underrated band of the last 25 years".
A.W.O.L. is the fifth studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on September 6, 2005 via Fast Life Music. Production was handled by The Heatmakerz, Baby Paul, Disco D, DJ Premier, Emile Haynie, Frado, J-Hen, Jimi Kendrix, Lil' Fame, MoSS, Vinny Idol, Buckwild, DJ Absolut, Tone Mason and Young Calvin. It features guest appearances from Begetz, Bounty Killer, Ghostface Killah, Half a Mill, Noe, Raekwon and CL Smooth.
3X Krazy was an American hip hop group formed in Oakland, California in 1994. The group consisted of members Keak da Sneak, B.A. and Agerman. They were signed to Noo Trybe Records.
The American Dream is the name of the planned second studio album, debut EP and first DVD movie by Mike Jones. It was released through Swishahouse, Asylum Records, Warner Bros. Records and his own label Ice Age Entertainment on November 20, 2007. It was originally supposed to be released as an album but was down graded to an EP due to low confidence from the label. The EP includes two songs, "Still Tippin'" and "Back Then", from Mike Jones' last album Who Is Mike Jones?.
"Groovin'" is a song written by the American singer songwriters Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, initially recorded by their group the Young Rascals in 1967. Cavaliere was inspired to compose the song by his girlfriend Adrienne Buccheri, whom he only got to meet on Sundays amidst heavy touring and recording. Musically, the song differs from most of band's previous output, leaving the garage rock genre for Latin American influences, such as baião. Lyrically, "Groovin'" tells the tale of a narrator spending time with his partner on a Sunday afternoon. The song was arranged and recorded at the Talentmasters Studios, New York City in March of 1967.
Tales from the Crypt is the second full-length studio album by American rapper C-Bo. It was released on June 15, 1995, via AWOL Records. Production was handled by Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, DJ Daryl, Rodney, D-Wiz and Troy-B, with Barbara Shannon serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Marvaless, Mississippi, Snap and Tuna Bug. The album debuted at number 99 on the Billboard 200 and number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Along with a single, a music video was produced for the song "Birds in the Kitchen". West Coast Mafia Records, C-Bo's own label, reissued the album in 2002.
The Best of C-Bo is the first greatest hits compilation released by American rapper C-Bo. It was released November 21, 1995 on AWOL Records and features songs from C-Bo's first three albums, guest performances from other AWOL Records releases as well as rare and unreleased songs. The album features production by DJ Daryl, Mike Mosley and Sam Bostic. It peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. E-40 and B-Legit appear on the album, as well as labelmates, Marvaless and Mississippi.
The Final Chapter is the fifth studio album by American rapper C-Bo. It was released on March 9, 1999 via AWOL Records. Production was handled by D-Wiz, Troy-B, T-Roy and Kirk Crumpler, with Freddie "T" Smith serving as executive producer. The album peaked at number 81 on the Billboard 200 and at number 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States.
Mr. Lunasicc is the debut solo album by American rapper Lunasicc. It was released July 8, 1997, via AWOL Records. Recording sessions took place at AWOL Studios and at TML Studios in California. Production was handled by D-Wiz, DJ Daryl, Dr. Bumpinstein, Pizzo, Skills, The Boogie Man, Troy-B and WCM, with Freddie "T" Smith serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from 151, Blacc, C-Bo, JT the Bigga Figga, Killa Tay, Laroo T.H.H., Levitti, Lil Ric, Marvaless, Pizzo, Probable Cauze, Thug Misses and Ephriam Galloway. The album debuted at number 92 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its only single, "Hard Times", which peaked at No. 8 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with record producer Jim Jonsin's Rebel Rock Entertainment in 2006. Two years later, he signed a joint venture recording contract with fellow Georgia rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Following his major-label deal, Simmons quickly achieved commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You", peaked the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and received three nominations—Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration—
BoA is the only English studio album by South Korean recording artist BoA. The album was released on March 17, 2009, in the United States through SM Entertainment. BoA was released in Japan through Avex Trax the following day and was boxed with her second greatest hits album, Best & USA, as a 2-in-1 CD. The record was originally titled Look Who's Talking, and was recorded at studios across the United States, Australia, and Thailand.
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.
Priscilla Renea Hamilton, known professionally as Muni Long, is an American singer from Gifford, Florida. Under her birth name, she signed with Capitol Records to release her debut studio album Jukebox (2009), which was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart. She then spent the following decade co-writing songs for other artists, namely the singles "Promise This" by Cheryl, "California King Bed" by Rihanna, "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony, "Love So Soft" by Kelly Clarkson, "Imagine" by Ariana Grande, "Who Says" by Selena Gomez & the Scene, and the global hit "Timber" by Pitbull.
Just Marvaless is an EP by rapper Marvaless, released on January 24, 1995. It peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
