Life After Death is the second and final studio album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released on March 25, 1997, on Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. A double album, it was released sixteen days after his murder. It features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, Angela Winbush, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, the Lox, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits the Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre. The album is a sequel to his first album, Ready to Die, and picks up where the last song, "Suicidal Thoughts", ends.
Hard Core is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Kim, released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records. After achieving success with the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. and their album Conspiracy (1995), Kim began working on her solo album with the Notorious B.I.G. serving as the executive producer. She collaborated with a number of producers, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Stevie J., David "Ski" Willis and Jermaine Dupri, among others. Other rappers, including Jay-Z, Lil' Cease and Puff Daddy were featured on the album.
Soundbombing II is the second installment in Rawkus Records' Soundbombing compilation series, released by the label on May 18, 1999. Mixed by DJ Babu and J Rocc of Beat Junkies, the album included tracks from a variety of artists, both Rawkus' signees and popular artists from other labels.
Full Circle is the sixth studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on October 17, 2006 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios and Planet 2 Planet Studios in New York, and StarBass Enterprise Recording Studios in New Jersey. Production was handled by Allen Gordon, DJ Felli Fel, DJ Khalil, DJ Quik, Dublin Beats, Fyre Dept., Rick Rock, The Arkitects, Warryn Campbell, and Jelly Roll, who also served as executive producer together with Keith Shocklee and Xzibit. It features guest appearances from Jelly Roll, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, DJ Quik, Don Blaze, King Tee, The Game, Too $hort, T-Pain and Donnell Rawlings.
Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".
Stay Tru is a solo studio album by American rapper Pastor Troy. It was released on April 18, 2006 via 845 Entertainment/SMC Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Upstairs Studio in Atlanta. Production was handled by P No, Cooley C, DJ Brad, Drumma Boy, HIN, Shawty Redd, and Pastor Troy, who also served as executive producer together with Greg Miller and Jarred Weisfeld. The album peaked at number 150 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
It's a Beautiful Thing is the third solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on January 12, 1999, via Jive Records, making it his final record for the label. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recording Studios in Dix Hills, New York. Production was handled entirely by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Déjà Vu, Canibus, Erick Sermon, LL Cool J, Redman and Too $hort. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number nine on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the US. Its single "Incredible" reached number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 36 on the Hot Rap Songs.
Universal Soldier is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper Pastor Troy. It was released in 2002 through Universal Records. Recording sessions took place at Madd House Studios, at the Village Recorder. at PatchWerk Recording Studios, at Sound Lab, at Audio Vision Studios, at Flamingo Studios, at Off The Top Studios, and at 1210 Studios. Production was handled by Lil Jon, Timbaland, Tony "T-Cap" Sims, Jazze Pha, Benny "DaDa" Tillman, Big Floaty, Carlos "Los Vagez" Thornton, Church Boi, Carl Mo, and Pastor Troy himself, with Dino Delvaille serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Bun B, Ms. Jade, Pastor Troy Sr., Timbaland, and fellow D.S.G.B. members. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single, "Are We Cuttin'", reached number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was used on the soundtrack to Rob Cohen's film xXx.
2000 is the second solo studio album by American rapper Grand Puba. It was released on June 20, 1995, through Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at Soundtrack Studios, Platinum Island Studios, Battery Studios, V. Dubbs Studios, Acme Recording Studios, Fiber Studios, and Chung King Studios in New York. Production was handled by Mark Sparks, Minnesota, DJ Alamo, Chris Liggio and Dante Ross. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200 and at number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Face Off is the fourth studio album by American rapper and producer Pastor Troy. It was released on May 22, 2001 through Madd Society/Universal Records. Production was handled by Carl Mo, Big Toombs, Benny "DaDa" Tillman, Carlos "Los Vagez" Thornton, Gene Griffin, Paul Wright, and Pastor Troy himself. It features guest appearances from Co-Ed, Nature Boy and Lil Pete. The album peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Waitin' to Inhale is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released on March 20, 2007, through Rap-A-Lot Records, making it his final record for the label. Recording sessions took place at The Coughee Pot, Studio 7303 and Dean's List House of Hits in Houston. Production was handled by Domo, Chuck Heat, Mike Dean, Sendar, Davey D, Picnic Tyme, Rob Quest, and Devin himself. It features guest appearances from the Coughee Brothaz, André 3000, Bun B, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg.
Hip Hop Lives is the collaborative studio album by American rapper KRS-One and record producer Marley Marl. It was released on May 22, 2007 via Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at House Of Hits in New York and at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Marley Marl himself, except for one track produced with 88 Fingers. It features guest appearances from Blaq Poet, Busy Bee Starski and Magic Juan. The album's title is a response to Nas's 2006 album Hip Hop Is Dead.
Loyalty and Betrayal is the sixth studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released on October 10, 2000, by Sick Wid It Records and Jive Records.
Tough Luv is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Young Gunz. It was released on February 24, 2004 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios, Baseline Studios and Quad Recording in New York, and at The Studio and Homebase Studios in Philadelphia. Production was handled by Chad Hamilton, Just Blaze, Bink!, Boola, Darrell "Digga" Branch, Ez Elpee, Ruggedness and Scott Storch, with Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Denim, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Chingy, Freeway, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Omillio Sparks and Rell.
Landing Gear is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper Devin the Dude. It was released on October 7, 2008 via Razor & Tie. Recording sessions took place at the Coughee Pot in Houston. Production was handled by Rockstar, Cozmo, Domo, C-Ray Sullivan, Destrukshon, D. Hatter, D. Washington, Chuck Heat, Luster Baker, Rob Quest, and Devin himself. It features guest appearances from 14K, Dee-Rail, G Monee, Joseph Edwards Jr., L.C., Snoop Dogg, Tony Mack and Young Malice. The album peaked at number 47 on the Billboard 200, number 9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 5 on the Top Rap Albums in the United States.
Monumental is a collaborative studio album by American rapper and record producer Pete Rock and hip hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. It was released on June 28, 2011 through Duck Down Music. Recording sessions took place at DaMan Studios in New York. Production was handled entirely by Pete Rock, who also served as executive producer together with Steele and Tek. It features guest appearances from Black Rob, Buckshot, Bun B, Freeway, Heltah Skeltah, Hurricane G, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Memphis Bleek, Raekwon, Styles P, Top Dog and Tyler Woods. The album peaked at number 110 on the Billboard 200 and number 24 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
Nothing Was the Same is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. Work on the record began in 2012 and continued through 2013. As an executive producer, Drake enlisted collaborators such as 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Jhené Aiko and Sampha for guest appearances on the album. The album's production was primarily handled by 40 and other OVO Sound producers; including Boi-1da, Mike Zombie, Nineteen85 and Detail.
Ready to Die is the debut studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994, by Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. The album features productions by Bad Boy founder Sean "Puffy" Combs, Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson, DJ Premier, and Lord Finesse, among others. It was recorded from 1993 to 1994 at The Hit Factory and D&D Studios in New York City. The partly autobiographical album tells the story of the rapper's experiences as a young criminal, and was the only studio album released during his lifetime, as he was murdered sixteen days before the release of his second album Life After Death in 1997. The album features a sole guest appearance from Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man.
Islah is the debut studio album by American rapper Kevin Gates. It was released on January 29, 2016, by Bread Winners' Association and Atlantic Records.
Life on Earth is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Musiq Soulchild. It was released on April 15, 2016, by eOne Music. It is the first album to be released on an independent label, after previously recording several albums on Def Jam Recordings and Atlantic Records. The album entered the US Billboard 200 at number 27.
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