Black Mafia Life is the second studio album by American hip hop group Above the Law. This album is what would be considered the blueprint of the G-Funk sound similar to Dr Dre's The Chronic. The album was recorded in 1991 into 1992 but was held back due to legal issues with Epic And Dr. Dre's Departure from Ruthless Records. It was released on February 2, 1993 via Ruthless Records. The album peaked at number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 37 on the US Billboard 200. Rolling Stone gave the album 4.5 stars of 5.
Beats, Rhymes and Life is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Released on July 30, 1996, by Jive Records, it followed three years after the highly regarded and successful Midnight Marauders. Produced by The Ummah, the album is a departure from the joyful, positive vibe of the group's earlier albums and is regarded as their darkest album in content. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 27, 1998.
My Way is the second studio album by American singer Usher. It was released on September 16, 1997 by LaFace Records, in North America. The album features guest appearances from Monica, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil' Kim. The album was supported by three singles, all platinum-selling: "Nice & Slow", "My Way", and "You Make Me Wanna...".
Diana Ross is the debut solo studio album by American singer Diana Ross. It was released by Motown Records on June 19, 1970 in the United States. The ultimate test to see if the former Supremes frontwoman could make it as a solo act, the album was overseen by the songwriting-producing team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, who had Ross re-record several of the songs the duo had recorded on other Motown acts. Johnny Bristol, producer of her final single with The Supremes, contributed on the The Velvelettes cover "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You."
Anytime is the third studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by Mercury Records on September 23, 1997 in the United States. Following his moderately successful second album I Remember You (1995), McKnight consulted a wider range of collaborators to work with him on the album, including producers Sean Combs, Keith Thomas, Poke & Tone and songwriters Diane Warren, and Peter Black. While McKnight would provide most of the material by himself, Anytime deviated from the contemporary sound of his older work, with the former acts taking his music further into the hip hop soul genre.
Exposure is the debut studio album by American girl group Exposé, released on March 2, 1987. It reached number sixteen on the Billboard 200 and number twenty on the R&B albums chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA in May 1990. The album spawned four top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Seasons Change", which topped the chart in February 1988. Other hit singles were the breakthrough hit "Come Go with Me", a re-recorded version of the song "Point of No Return" and "Let Me Be the One". This was the first debut album by a group to feature four top-ten Billboard pop hits – a feat Cyndi Lauper achieved as a solo artist with her 1983 album She's So Unusual.
Rapture is the second album by American vocalist Anita Baker, released in 1986. This became Baker's breakout album, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and earning her two Grammy Awards. The album's first track, "Sweet Love", was a top 10 Billboard hit in addition to winning a Grammy Award. The music video for the track "Same Ole Love" was filmed and recorded at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
I'll Give All My Love to You is the second studio album by the American R&B recording artist Keith Sweat. It was released on June 12, 1990, and went to number one on the Top R&B albums chart and number 6 on the Billboard 200. It spawned Sweat's second and third number 1 R&B hits: "Make You Sweat" and the title track, while "Merry Go Round" and "Your Love Part 2" were Top 5 R&B hits.
Funke, Funke Wisdom is the fourth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1991 via Jive Records, making it the rapper's final album on the label.
This Is Madness is the second studio album by spoken word recording artists The Last Poets. It was released in 1971 through Douglas Records. Recording sessions took place at Media Sound Studios with production by Alan Douglas and Stefan Bright. The album peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and at #14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.
The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb is the twenty-sixth studio album released by the Supremes on the Motown label in 1972. It was the only Supremes LP produced by a non-Motown artist, successful songwriter and producer Jimmy Webb, and was the last album to feature early-1970s Supremes lead singer Jean Terrell. Only one single from the album was released in the United States, the ballad "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" from the musical Pippin. Other non-Webb tracks included Joni Mitchell's "All I Want", Harry Nilsson's "Paradise" and covers of hits by Bobby Lewis and Mina, respectively "Tossin' and Turnin'" and "La voce del silenzio".
The Boss is the tenth studio album by American singer Diana Ross released on May 23, 1979 on the Motown label.
Redemption is the second solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Benzino. It was released January 14, 2003 via Elektra Records. Production was primarily handled by Benzino's production team Hangmen 3, as well as Mario Winans, Gary "Gizzo" Smith, L.E.S., L.T. Hutton, Paul "Little Bo Peezy" Hemphill, Sean "Inferno" Dunnigan, That Nigga Moel, Tone Capone and Trackmasters. It features guest appearances from Mario Winans, Mass Murderer Mike, Black Child, Caddillac Tah, Daz Dillinger, Hussein Fatal, Jadakiss, Jewell, Kid Javi, Lil' Kim, LisaRaye, Petey Pablo, Scarface and Wyclef Jean.
Black Pearl is the second studio album by American rapper Yo-Yo. It was released on June 23, 1992 through EastWest Records America/Atlantic. Production was handled by DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Down Low Productions, DJ Muggs, Rashad Coes and DJ Bobcat, with Ice Cube serving as executive producer. The album peaked at number 145 on the Billboard 200 and number 32 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
I'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier is 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 session 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.
Michel'le is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer Michel'le. It was released on October 23, 1989 on Ruthless Records, Atco Records and Atlantic Records. The album was produced by Dr. Dre of N.W.A. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America five weeks after its release.
Hearsay is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was originally released in July 1987, on the labels Tabu and Epic as the follow-up to O'Neal's critically and commercially successful 1985 album Alexander O'Neal. Hearsay explores similar genres to those of Alexander O'Neal including pop, R&B, soul, post-disco, funk, and adult contemporary music, while also incorporating a newer genre, new jack swing. The songs were recorded from 1986 to 1987 in sessions that took place at Flyte Time Productions, Inc. Studio A & B in Minneapolis, Minnesota, assisted by R&B songwriting and record production team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It features contributions from guest musicians, including Cherrelle, David Eiland, and Lisa Keith, and is generally regarded as the culmination of the smoother, more adult-oriented sound of O'Neal's early work.
Aretha is the thirty-first studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, originally released in 1986, on Arista Records. It is the third album with the Aretha title to be released by Franklin, following her 1961 album and 1980 album.
Don't Disturb This Groove is the fourth studio album recorded by American R&B/Synthpop band The System. Released by Atlantic Records in 1987, the album became a highlight of the System's career, as it was the most commercially successful album, surpassing its hugely successful debut, Sweat. It reached No. 62 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart. The album was produced by its band members, David Frank and Mic Murphy.
Dreamer is the ninth solo studio album by American blues singer Bobby Bland. It was released in 1974 through ABC/Dunhill Records. Recording sessions took place at ABC Recording Studios in Los Angeles with songwriter and record producer Steve Barri. The album charted at number 172 on the Billboard 200 and at number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It spawned three hit singles: "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City", "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog " and "Yolanda".
