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.
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 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. 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 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. 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. 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.
Rasassination is the second studio album by American rapper Ras Kass. It was released on September 22, 1998 via Priority Records. Recording sessions took place at Stu's Kennel, at Audio X Recording Studios and Enterprise Recordings in Burbank, at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, at Henchmen Recording Studio and Unique Recording Studios in New York, at Echo Sound in Los Angeles, and at Creator's Way Recording Studio in Chicago. Production was handled by Stu-B-Doo, Klev, Easy Mo Bee, Flip, Jaz-O, Toxic, Twelve, and Ras Kass himself. It features guest appearances from Bad Azz, Dr. Dre, El Drex, Jah-Skillz, Jazze Pha, Kurupt, Mack 10, Phil Da Agony, RZA, Saafir, Twista and Xzibit. The album peaked at number 63 on Billboard 200 and number 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its only single, "Ghetto Fabulous", made it to number 56 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
The Professional 2 is the second studio album by American record producer DJ Clue. It was 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.
20/20 is the fourth studio album by American hip hop trio Dilated Peoples. It was released on February 21, 2006, through ABB/Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundproof East in Los Angeles, at Al Gibbs Mobile Studio, Capelton's Room, at Ameraycan Studios in Burbank and at Daddy's Room in Corona. Production was handled by members Evidence and DJ Babu, as well as Alchemist, Sid Roams and Porse. It features guest appearances from Capleton, Defari, Krondon and Talib Kweli. The album debuted at number 97 on the Billboard 200 and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. It also made it to number 56 on the Swiss Hitparade.
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. Recording sessions took place at the Muthafuckin' Spot on Lexington. Production 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, and was later appeared on the soundtrack of 2000 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. The single "Dick Starbuck "Porno Detective"" made it to number 37 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Wild Cowboys is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Sadat X of Brand Nubian. It was released on July 15, 1996 via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, at D&D Studios, at Platinum Island Studios and at Greene St. Recording in New York, and at Chris Biondo Studios in Washington, D.C. Production was handled by Diamond D, Buckwild, DJ Ogee, Ali Malek, Ant Greene Father Time, Da Beatminerz, Dante Ross, DJ Alamo, Minnesota, Pete Rock, Showbiz and Sadat X himself. It features guest appearances from Shawn Black, DV Alias Khrist, Deda, Grand Puba, Kool Chuck, Money Boss Players, Tec, Sha Sha and Regina Hall. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
To tha X-Treme is the third solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released in 2004 via Rap-A-Lot 4 Life. Recording sessions took place at Dean's List House of Hits, Noddfactor Studios, The Craft, and M.A.D. Studios in Houston. Production was handled by D-Boy, Domo, Cory Mo, Mike Dean, Oonoe Blass, Rob Quest, Bigg Tyme, Davey D, Luster Baker, Mike B., Mr. Mixx, Tone Capone, with J Prince serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from 8Ball, Erica Marion, KB and Man Child.
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.
Make It Reign is the only studio album by American rap duo Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. It was released on June 2, 1998 through Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at the Hit Factory, at Unique Recordings, at the Cutting Room in New York City, at Ameraycan Studio and at Skip Saylors in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Dave Atkinson, DJ Clark Kent, Floyd Wilcox, Father Time, KNS, Peter Gunz, Ron Lawrence, Ski and Spyda. It features guest appearances from 1 Accord, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Chauncey Hannibal, Fat Joe, Kurupt, Sticky Fingaz and Will Tracks. The album peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States, selling 40,000 copies in its first week.
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.
Training Day: The Soundtrack is the soundtrack album to Antoine Fuqua's 2001 crime film Training Day. It was released on September 11, 2001 through Priority Records and contained mostly hip hop music.
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 hip hop producer DJ Khaled, 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.
Everything's Beautiful is an album by American musician Robert Glasper based on Miles Davis' samples. It was released on May 27, 2016, through Blue Note/Legacy/Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at Anu It! Studio, Brooklyn Recording and the Thingamajig Lab 2 in New York, Klearlight Studios and Precious House Studios in Dallas, the Peanut Gallery and Brightlady Studios in Raleigh, Willow Grove Studios in Australia, State Of The Ark in London, King Creative Studios and Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles, with additional recording at Westlake Recording Studios. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, Anu~Sun, Black Milk, DJ Spinna, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jewels, Paris Strother, Rashad Smith, Robert Glasper, and Steve Berkowitz, who also served as executive producer with Adam Block, Erin Davis, Nicole Hegeman and Vince Wilburn. It features guest appearances from Bilal, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Hiatus Kaiyote, Illa J, Laura Mvula, Ledisi, Phonte, Stevie Wonder and We Are King, as well as contributions from bassists Derrick Hodge, Braylon Lacy and Burniss Travis, guitarists Danny Leznoff, Kyle Bolden and John Scofield, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, and keyboardist Joe Zawinul among others.
