Baduizm is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Kedar Records and Universal Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, and recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal. Recording sessions for the album took place from January to October 1996 in New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas.
Andre Levins, also known as A+ is an American rapper. As a teenager he released albums in 1996 and in 1999.
Big Willie Style is the debut solo album by American rapper and actor Will Smith. It was released on November 25, 1997, by Columbia Records. The album was primarily produced by Poke & Tone, with other contributors including L.E.S. and Smith's former collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff. The album was the first to be released by Smith since 1993's Code Red, the last by the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Five singles were released, including Smith's first US Billboard Hot 100 number one, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It".
Here to Save You All is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Chino XL. It was released on April 9, 1996, through American Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Platinum Island Studios and Firehouse Studio in New York, at Canyon Post Digital and Kitchen Sync Studios in Los Angeles, and at Secret Six Studios. Production was handled by B-Wiz, Bird, DJ Homicide, Eric Romero, KutMasta Kurt, and Dan Charnas, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Gravitation, Kool Keith and Ras Kass.
Destiny's Child is the debut studio album by American R&B group of the same name, released by Ruffhouse, Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment on February 17, 1998. It features the singles "No, No, No" and "With Me", both of which preceded the album. "Killing Time" was also featured in "Men in Black: The Album" and released as a promotional single in 1997. Prior to release, the album was set to be called "Bridges". The album spent twenty six weeks on the US Billboard 200 chart and peaked at number sixty-seven. To date the album has sold a total of 831,000 copies in America. In the United Kingdom, it reached the top fifty, peaking at number forty-five. It was re-packaged and re-released in several countries after the success of the follow-up album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). The album was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics, including AllMusic and Rolling Stone, and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.
The Wash (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to DJ Pooh's 2001 comedy film The Wash. It was released on November 6, 2001 by Aftermath Entertainment, Doggy Style Records, and Interscope Records. Composed of seventeen tracks, the album featured performances from film stars Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, among other hip hop and R&B artists, such as Bilal, Bubba Sparxxx, Busta Rhymes, D12, Joe Beast, Knoc-turn'al, LaToiya Williams, Soopafly, Truth Hurts and Xzibit. Production was handled by several record producers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Focus..., Hi-Tek, James Poyser, Megahertz, Mel-Man, Timbaland and Vikter Duplaix.
Money, Power & Respect is the debut album by hip hop group The Lox. It was released on January 13, 1998, through Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. The album featured production from the Hitmen, Dame Grease and Swizz Beatz. The album found huge success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and spawned two charting singles, "Money, Power & Respect" and "If You Think I'm Jiggy". In 2008, the title track was ranked number 53 on Vh1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Royal Highness is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Kottonmouth Kings. It was released on August 11, 1998, through Suburban Noize/Capitol Records. The recording sessions took place at A&M Studios in Hollywood, at Can-Am Recorders in California, at the Ogden House, and at 1605 Studios in Huntington Beach. The production was handled by member Daddy X, who also served as executive producer, Mellow B. De Lear, Marco Forcone, Dog Boy and I Timothy. It features guest appearances from Too Rude and Humble Gods.
Aziatic is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on June 11, 2002 via Motown. Recording sessions took place at Sweet Mountain Studios in Englewood and Power Station in New York. Production was handled by Chop D.I.E.S.E.L., Buckwild, Miller Time, Precison, Baby Paul, DR Period, L.E.S., Mike Risko, Portiay and Big Joe, with Damian "Deo" Blyden, Kedar Massenburg and AZ serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Animal, DJ Rogers Jr., El Shabar, Nas and Trav.
Don Cartagena is the third studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. It was released on September 1, 1998 through Terror Squad Productions, Mystic Entertainment Group and Big Beat/Atlantic Records. 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.
From Where??? is the debut studio album by American hip hop artist Mad Skillz. It was released on February 13, 1996, via Big Beat/Atlantic Records. Production was handled by Buckwild, Shawn J. Period, J Dilla, DJ Clark Kent, EZ Elpee, Large Professor, Nick Wiz, The Beatnuts, and Skillz himself, with Rob "Reef" Tewlow serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Kalonji The Immortal, Dr. Mindbenda, Javon The Medieval, Large Professor, Lil' Roc, Lonnie B and Q-Tip. The album peaked at number 154 on the Billboard 200, number 18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.
The Professional 2 is the second studio album by American record producer DJ Clue. Originally scheduled for a November 1999 release, it was then delayed to a 2000 release. The album was ultimately released on February 27, 2001 via Roc-A-Fella Records, a division of UMG's Def Jam Recordings. It serves as a sequel to his 1998 debut studio album The Professional.
Home Field Advantage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group the High & Mighty. It was released on August 24, 1999, via Rawkus Records. The recording sessions took place at the Muthafuckin' Spot on Lexington. The album was produced mostly by member DJ Mighty Mi, but also featured production from Alchemist and Reef. It features guest appearances from Bobbito García, Cage, Defari, Eminem, Evidence, Kool Keith, Mad Skillz, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Thirstin Howl III, What? What? and Wordsworth. The album peaked at number 193 on the Billboard 200, number 45 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and number 11 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. The single "B-Boy Document '99" reached number 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 7 on the Hot Rap Songs. The single "Dick Starbuck "Porno Detective"" made it to number 37 on the Hot Rap Songs.
...A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual is the debut studio album by American rapper Witchdoctor. It was released on April 21, 1998, via Organized Noize/Interscope Records. The recording sessions took place at Purple Dragon Recording Studio, PatchWerk Recording Studios, Doppler Recording Studio, DARP Recording Studio and Southern Tracks in Atlanta. The production was handled by Organized Noize, Rob & Emperor Searcy, Junior Kinsey, Mr. DJ, and Witchdoctor himself. It features guest appearances from Goodie Mob, Big Rube, Cool Breeze, Heroine, Mook B., Outkast and Phoenix. The album debuted at number 157 on the Billboard 200, number 37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 7 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. Its single "Holiday" was also included in Bulworth: The Soundtrack. A music video for "Holiday" was co-directed by Stephanie Black and Malik Sayeed.
Friday (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to F. Gary Gray's 1995 stoner film Friday. It was released on April 11, 1995, through Priority Records and consists of hip hop and R&B music.
All Day Everyday is the fourth studio album by American West Coast hip hop group South Central Cartel. It was released on June 3, 1997 via Rush Associated Labels. Recording sessions took place at Echo Sound and Kitchen Sync Studio in Los Angeles between Autumn 1996 and Spring 1997. Production was handled by members Prodeje and Havikk The Rhime Son, Sean T and The Real Richie Rich, with additional producers Tomie Mundy and Robert "Fonksta" Bacon. The album peaked at number 178 on the Billboard 200 and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Hempstead High is the second studio album by American rapper A+. It was released in 1999 through Kedar Entertainment/Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording Studios and Battery Studios in New York and at Urban House Studios, Inc. in Houston. Production was handled by Bink!, DJ Clark Kent, Lil' Shawn, Mo-Suave-A, Smith Brothers Entertainment and Ty Fyffe, with Kedar Massenburg serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Canibus, Cardan, Chico DeBarge, Erykah Badu, MJG, Psycho Drama and the Lost Boyz. The album peaked at #60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #19 on the Top Heatseekers in the United States, and at number 72 in the Netherlands.
That's Them is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Artifacts. It was released on April 15, 1997 via Big Beat/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place at Platinum Island Studios, Unique Recording and Master Cutting Room in New York. Production was handled by Shawn J Period, Baby Paul, V.I.C., Gruff Rhino, Lord Finesse, Mr. Walt and Rob "Reef" Tewlow, with co-producer Tame One and additional producer Showbiz. It features guest appearances from Lord Finesse and Lord Jamar.
Van Full of Pakistans is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Y'all So Stupid. It was released on May 25, 1993 via Rowdy Records. Recording sessions took place at DARP Studios, Doppler Studios and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta. Production was handled mostly by member Spearhead X, who plays the narrating prank caller on every skit, Da King & I, Sylvan Sargeant, co-producers The Soul Merchants, with Dallas Austin serving as executive producer.
Grateful is the tenth studio album by American disc jockey and record producer DJ Khaled. It was released as a double album on June 23, 2017, by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from a wide array of artists including Future, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Migos, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, Kodak Black, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Drake, Rihanna, Sizzla, Mavado, Nas, Calvin Harris, PartyNextDoor, Jeremih, Pusha T, and Betty Wright, among others.
