The Pharcyde is an American alternative hip hop group, formed in 1989, from South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani, Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Fatlip. DJ Mark Luv was the group's first disc jockey (DJ), followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla. The group is perhaps best known for the hit singles "Drop", "Passin' Me By" and "Runnin'", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992). The group continues to tour and record, both collaboratively and in solo projects—the most recent being Hardson's collaborative EP with DJ Nu-Mark released in 2014 on Delicious Vinyl.
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson, better known by his stage name Kool G Rap, is an American rapper from Queens, New York City. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew. He is often cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time, and a pioneer of mafioso rap/street/hardcore content and multisyllabic rhyming. On his album The Giancana Story, he stated that the "G" in his name stands for "Giancana", but on other occasions he has stated that it stands for "Genius".
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed to independent labels or no label at all. Underground hip hop is often characterized by socially conscious, positive, or anti-commercial lyrics. However, there is no unifying or universal theme – AllMusic suggests that it "has no sonic signifiers". "The Underground" also refers to the community of musicians, fans and others that support non-commercial, or independent music. Music scenes with strong ties to underground hip hop include alternative hip hop and conscious hip hop. Many artists who are considered "underground" today were not always so, and may have previously broken the Billboard charts.
Joseph Anthony Budden II is an American media personality and former rapper. He first gained recognition as a rapper with his 2003 top 40 single "Pump It Up" and as a member of the hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse. In 2018, he retired from rap, and found success as a broadcaster, having a much publicized run as a co-host on Everyday Struggle for Complex. He currently hosts The Joe Budden Podcast, released twice a week on Patreon and YouTube, and State of the Culture on Revolt. He has been described as "the Howard Stern of hip-hop".
The hip hop scene in Chicago, Illinois, has produced many artists of various styles. Rappers in Chicago include Polo G, Juice WRLD, Kanye West, Do or Die, Common, Da Brat, Lupe Fiasco, Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, Rhymefest, SEVENSIXX, Bump J, Chief Keef, Lil Reece, Cupcakke, Lil Durk, King Louie, King Von, Shawnna, Noname, Fredo Santana, Calboy, G Herbo, Jay Lyn Gatz, Lil Bibby, Crucial Conflict, Open Mike Eagle, Jeremih, Juice, Saba, Ramaj Eroc, Big Frogman, Lud Foe, Twista, Young Pappy, L’A Capone, and RondoNumbaNine.
Midwest hip hop is a regional genre of hip hop music performed by artists from the Midwestern United States. In contrast with its East Coast, West Coast and Southern counterparts, Midwest hip hop has very few constants in style or production.
Terry Parker, known professionally as Juice, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois.
Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper and record executive. He initially gained major recognition as half of hip hop duo Clipse, alongside his brother and fellow rapper No Malice, with whom he founded Re-Up Records. In September 2010, Thornton announced his signing to Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings. Later that year, he was featured on West's single "Runaway," which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Molemen is an American hip hop record production team from Chicago, Illinois. It consists of Panik, Memo, and PNS. The group organized Chicago Rocks, an annual hip hop showcase.
Donald Mason, also known as Vakill is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective The Molemen, and has released three studio albums.
The Darkest Cloud is the debut studio album by Chicago rapper Vakill, released May 5, 2003 on Molemen Records. The album came eight long years after the rapper's 1995 debut EP Who's Afraid?. The album drew acclaim from underground fans and critics alike, due to its dark production and advanced lyricism. The Darkest Cloud features production from members of The Molemen, and guest appearances from Slug, Copywrite, Camu Tao, Breez Evahflowin and Jakki Da Motamouth. The album's lead single is "End of Days" b/w "Sickplicity" b/w "The Creed".
Souljaboytellem.com is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. It was released on October 2, 2007, by his Stacks on Deck (SOD) label, Collipark Music and Interscope Records, affiliated by the independently incorporated HHH Artists label. The album only features guest appearances from fellow rapper Arab and R&B group i15. The album was supported by four singles: "Crank That ", "Soulja Girl" featuring i15, "Yahhh!" featuring Arab, and "Donk".
All Fates Have Changed is the solo debut album by underground rapper Jus Allah, formerly of the groups Jedi Mind Tricks & Army of the Pharaohs. The album was released June 7, 2005 under Babygrande Records. The album came five years after his recording debut, on JMT's Violent by Design. Guest appearances on the album are provided by GZA, Chief Kamachi, Lord Jamar, Shabazz the Disciple, Agallah, Virtuoso, T-Ruckus, Evil Dead and Bomshot. The album features the singles "G-O-D" b/w "Supreme" and "Pool of Blood" b/w "Hell Razors". The last five tracks on the album are all previously released 'Bonus Tracks & Alternate Mixes'. "White Nightmare" and "Reign of the Lord" were originally released on Jus' "White Nightmare" single, "Severed and Split" and "Chess King" were both featured on the Omnipotent Records compilation Era of the Titans, and "Divide & Conquer", produced by Molemen member Panik, was featured on the Molemen compilation Lost Sessions.
Slaughterhouse is the only extended play by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse. It was released on February 8, 2011 through E1 Music. The album debuted at #132 on the Billboard charts, after having sold 5,100 copies.
Troy Donald Jamerson, better known by his stage name Pharoahe Monch, is an American rapper from South Jamaica, Queens, New York. He is known for his complex lyrics, intricate delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.
Welcome to: Our House is the second and final studio album by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 28, 2012 via Shady Records and Interscope Records. This would also be their only major label album before disbanding on April 26, 2018.
Jesus Piece is the fifth studio album by American West Coast hip hop recording artist the Game, released on December 11, 2012, by DGC Records and Interscope Records, his last release on the label. Within a three-year gap between Game's third album, LAX (2008), and his follow-up, The R.E.D. Album (2011), before the latter was finally released in August 2011. The R.E.D. Album was a fall from his previous three released album sales, but became Game's third number one album on the US Billboard 200 chart. Shortly after the release of the long delayed album, Game announced he had begun work on his fifth studio album. The album was originally meant to be titled Soundtrack to Chaos, then was changed to F.I.V.E. and finally Jesus Piece becoming Game's first concept album.
Dan Weiss, better known by his stage name Verbal Kent, is an alternative hip hop artist from Chicago.
Capital D, also known as Cap D, is an underground rapper and lawyer from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his solo work, his collaboration with Tony Fields as the duo "All Natural," and for founding the label All Natural Records, on which all his music has been released.
Maybach Music Group (MMG) is a record label imprint founded by American rapper Rick Ross. Maybach Music Group albums are distributed by Atlantic Records, a division of the Atlantic Records Group. Atlantic took over distribution following the expiration of a deal with Island Def Jam. As of December 12, 2012, the label releases are now distributed by Atlantic Records. 19 solo and three compilation albums have been released by Maybach Music Group, including five certified Gold albums and three certified Platinum albums.
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