What's Going On is the eleventh studio album by the American soul singer Marvin Gaye. It was released on May 21, 1971, by the Motown Records subsidiary label Tamla. Recorded between 1970 and 1971 in sessions at Hitsville U.S.A., Golden World, United Sound Studios in Detroit, and at The Sound Factory in West Hollywood, California, it was Gaye's first album to credit him as producer and to credit Motown's in-house session musicians, known as the Funk Brothers.
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a song written by Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson in 1966 for the Tamla label, a division of Motown. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and became a hit again in 1970 when recorded by former Supremes frontwoman Diana Ross. The song became Ross's first solo number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" is the second single from American singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye's 1971 album, What's Going On. Following the breakthrough of the title track's success, the song, written solely by Gaye, became regarded as one of popular music's most poignant anthems of sorrow regarding the environment. Led by Gaye playing piano, strings conducted by Paul Riser and David Van De Pitte, multi-tracking vocals from Gaye and the Andantes, multiple background instruments provided by the Funk Brothers and a leading sax solo by Wild Bill Moore, the song rose to number 4 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart and number one for two weeks on the R&B Singles charts on August 14 through to August 27, 1971. The distinctive percussive sound heard on the track was a wood block struck by a rubber mallet, drenched in studio reverb. The song also brought Gaye one of his rare appearances on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it peaked at number 34. In Canada, "Mercy Mercy Me" spent two weeks at number 9.
"I Want You" is a song written by Leon Ware and Arthur "T-Boy" Ross and performed by American singer and songwriter Marvin Gaye. It was released as a single in 1976 on his fourteenth studio album of the same name (1976) on his Tamla label. The song introduced a change in musical styles for Gaye, who before then had been recording songs with a funk edge. "I Want You", among other similar songs, gave him a disco audience. Ware, who produced the song alongside Gaye, also was attributed with the single's success.
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot is the debut studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on May 19, 1998, by Def Jam Recordings and Ruff Ryders Entertainment. It was supported by four singles—"Get at Me Dog", "Stop Being Greedy", "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "How's It Goin' Down", in order of release—and their accompanying music videos.
American music artist Marvin Gaye released 25 studio albums, four live albums, one soundtrack album, 24 compilation albums, and 83 singles. In 1961 Gaye signed a recording contract with Tamla Records, owned by Motown. The first release under the label was The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye. Gaye's first album to chart was a duet album with Mary Wells titled Together, peaking at number forty-two on the Billboard pop album chart. His 1965 album, Moods of Marvin Gaye, became his first album to reach the top ten of the R&B album charts and spawned four hit singles. Gaye recorded more than thirty hit singles for Motown throughout the 1960s, becoming established as "the Prince of Motown". Gaye topped the charts in 1968 with his rendition of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", while his 1969 album, M.P.G., became his first number one R&B album. Gaye's landmark album, 1971's What's Going On became the first album by a solo artist to launch three top ten singles, including the title track. His 1973 single, "Let's Get It On", topped the charts while its subsequent album reached number two on the charts becoming his most successful Motown album to date. In 1982, after 21 years with Motown, Gaye signed with Columbia Records and issued Midnight Love, which included his most successful single to date, "Sexual Healing". Following his death in 1984, three albums were released posthumously while some of Gaye's landmark works were re-issued.
The Natural is the debut studio album by American rapper Mic Geronimo. It was released on November 28, 1995, via Blunt Recordings/TVT Records. Production was handled by Mark Sparks, Buckwild, Irv Gotti, Da Beatminerz and Chyskillz. It features guest appearances from Royal Flush, Murder Inc., O.C. and the Lost Boyz. It peaked at number 144 on the Billboard 200. The album spawned four singles: "Shit's Real", "Masta I.C.", "The Natural" and "Wherever You Are".
Uptown Saturday Night is the debut studio album from American hip hop group Camp Lo, released January 28, 1997, on Profile Records and distributed through Arista Records. The album was largely produced by Ski and spawned the hit single "Luchini AKA This Is It".
Family Scriptures Chapter II: Family Reunion is the second studio album by American hip hop collective Mo Thugs. It was released on May 26, 1998 via Mo Thugs/Relativity Records, serving as a sequel to the group's 1996 album Family Scriptures. Recording sessions took place at Studio 56 and at Private Island Trax in Los Angeles, at Audio Vision Studios and at H&N Studios in Miami, and at G.T.R. Media Studios. Production was handled by Krayzie Bone and Layzie Bone, who also served as executive producers, Archie Blaine, Damon Elliott, "Disco" Rick Taylor, Michael Seifert, MT5, Paul "Tombstone" O'Neil, Romeo Antonio, Skant Bone and Souljah Boy.
Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA is the tenth studio album by Boyz II Men. It was released on November 13, 2007 by Decca Records. The album was produced by American Idol's Randy Jackson and Boyz II Men. David Simone and Winston Simone were Executive Producers for the album. The album is a tribute to some of Motown's classic songs, including "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations, "The Tracks of My Tears" by The Miracles and "Reach Out I'll Be There" by The Four Tops. The first single off the album is "The Tracks of My Tears".
Kenny Lattimore is the debut studio album by American singer Kenny Lattimore. It was released on May 14, 1996 by Columbia Records. The set was bolstered by the success of singles "Never Too Busy," "Just What It Takes", "Always Remember", and "For You".
Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back is the debut studio album by American rapper Daz Dillinger, released on March 31, 1998, through Death Row Records and Priority Records. The promotional singles released from the album were "In California" and "It Might Sound Crazy", which had music videos, including an animated one.
Signature is the eighth studio album by American R&B singer Joe. It was released by Kedar Entertainment on July 14, 2009 in the United States. Incorporating cuts from his previous album, Joe Thomas, New Man (2008), the album features ballads written, produced, and arranged by Joe. Besides Joe, frequent collaborator Joshua P. Thompson is credits as a producer on the album.
Pre-Meditated Drama is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Steady Mobb'n, released May 6, 1997 on Bomb Shelter and No Limit Records. The 12 songs DJ Daryl produced were recorded at The Grill Studios in Oakland California. It managed to gain decent success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at 29 on the Billboard 200 selling 74,000 copies in its first week.
Def Jam's How to Be a Player soundtrack is the soundtrack to the 1997 comedy film, Def Jam's How to Be a Player. It was released on August 5, 1997, through Def Jam Recordings.
"Nothin' Move But the Money" is the lead single released from Mic Geronimo's second album, Vendetta.
The discography of American hip hop group The Lox, consists of four studio albums, one compilation album, two extended plays, one mixtape and fifteen singles.
Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head is the eighth studio album by American rapper T.I. It was released on December 18, 2012, by Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records. The production was provided by some of T.I.'s longtime collaborators; including DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, Pharrell Williams and Lil' C. These high-profile record producers such as T-Minus, Cardiak, No I.D., Rico Love, Planet VI, Tommy Brown and Chuck Diesel, also contributed to the album. The album features guest appearances from P!nk, Lil Wayne, André 3000, R. Kelly, Akon, Meek Mill, CeeLo Green, ASAP Rocky, Trae tha Truth, Victoria Monet and Grand Hustle's own D.O.P.E.
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" is a song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye from his fifth studio album of the same name (1965). It was written in 1964 by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. The song title was inspired by one of the actor and comedian Jackie Gleason's signature phrases, "How Sweet It Is!"
The American rapper Jay-Z has released 68 singles as a lead artist, 51 singles as a featured artist, and 14 promotional singles. "Can't Knock the Hustle" was the most successful single from his debut studio album Reasonable Doubt, reaching the top 30 in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. During 1997, Jay-Z had success with singles like "Sunshine" which peaked at number 25 in United Kingdom, 18 in Germany and 22 in New Zealand. His next single "Wishing on a Star" peaked at number 13 in UK being his highest peak on the chart until Hard Knock Life. The next single "The City Is Mine was the most successful single of In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. The album peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200 and it received positive reviews from critics. In 1998 he released the smash hit singles "Can I Get A..." and "Hard Knock Life " which peaked at number 19 and 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and had wide success worldwide, too. The singles helped the album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life to debut at number 1 on the Albums chart and selling over 5 million copies. Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter had hits like "Jigga My Nigga" which peaked at number 1 on the Rap chart and #28 on the Hot 100. Hits like "Girl's Best Friend" and "Big Pimpin'" were released and the later peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 earning a platinum certification by the RIAA.
