debut album

Today In Hip Hop History: Foxy Brown Dropped Her Debut Album ‘Ill Na Na’ 28 Years Ago

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tumblr 05733ba8fa5a389356619978f963224f 90c34b04 2048

Today In Hip Hop History,  Foxy Brown released Ill Na Na 28 years ago and changed the way women sounded in hiphop. Introduced to the world by a Brooklyn rapperJay-Z on the classic Ain’t No Nigga, Def Jam pulled out all the stops for the queen of the label who released her album one week after her former friend Lil Kim.

“Get Me Home” was released on September 15, 1996. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, “I’ll Be”, released on March 4, 1997, also noted a commercial success. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Brown’s highest charting single.

The album featured guest appearances by Blackstreet, Havoc, Method Man, Kid Capri, and Jay-Z with a majority of the production by the Trackmasters. Ill Na Na produced two hit singles, “Get Me Home” featuring Blackstreet, and “I’ll Be” featuring Jay-Z. Ill Na Na was re-released in 1997.

Salute to the Brooklyn Bombshell who influenced so many girls in hip hop. Never forget.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: LL Cool J Dropped His Debut Album ‘Radio’ 38 Years Ago

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TodayinHip HopHistory:LLCoolJDroppedHisDebutAlbum'Radio'YearsAgo

TodayinHip HopHistory:LLCoolJDroppedHisDebutAlbum'Radio'YearsAgo

On this date in 1985, James Todd Smith better known as LL Cool J dropped his first full-length LP on Def Jam Records. Primarily produced by Rick Rubin besides “I Need A Beat”, which was produced by DJ Jazzy Jay, Radio was a pivotal LP for not only LL and Def Jam, but for an evolving Hip Hop landscape that had just seen the rapid decline of b-boying and jams in the park. This was also the era in which the crack epidemic hit the streets and all of the major players used LL Cool J as the prototype image of how a hustler is supposed to look.

Songs like “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” and “Rock The Bells” dominated airwaves as well as influenced other artists of that time period with his braggadocios content and virtually forceful delivery. The song that actually got Cool J the deal with Def Jam, “I Need A Beat”, was written and recorded when LL was only 15 years old, making him not only Def Jam’s first solo artist but also their youngest.

Salute to Cool J, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Jazzy Jay, and everyone at Def Jam from that era that helped put together this timeless classic!

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Today In Hip Hop History: Method Man’s Debut Album ‘Tical’ Turns 30 Years Old!

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tumblr 296f3d7c39584f89628186762696e202 24ee5598 1280

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Method Man released his debut solo LP Tical. Sticking to RZA’s plan on industry domination, Method was the first to roll out his solo LP after the ridiculous success group debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). In the early years of the Wu, Method Man had grown become the public face of the group. His larger than life persona and a multitude of styles won over the hearts and ears of fans after the groups first single “Protect Ya Neck” had “Method Man” on it’s B-side.

Tical delves deeper into the sinister villainous style previewed on 36 Chambers. Method Man creates a dark anti-hero on this album who hungers for the career of wack rappers and perpetrators. It was truly a violent introduction to one of the most outrageous members of the Wu, second only to ODB in theatrical personality.

Considered a “two-man show” by critics, the album was almost entirely produced by RZA. As the Wu’s architect, RZA created specific sounds for each member. Method unique sonic was the most film inspired. Meth continued to build a character likened to the many crime bosses and master villains that starred in his beloved Kung-Fu flicks. Aside from the image, lyrically the album is on another level. Method Man flawlessly juggles synonyms and metaphors with a flow that weaves in and out of the beat to create a hardcore symphony of Shaolin style.

Commercially, the album was a hit and only added on to the cipher of success revolving around the Wu-Tang Clan. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart selling a million copies within a year of its release. It kick-started a wave of successful solo albums and keep afloat RZA’s five-year plan to becoming the greatest rap group in history.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Lil Kim Dropped Her Debut LP ‘Hard Core’ 28 Years Ago

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tumblr 92f78d64fea179228ad7d7542de5a8cc cfafc12a 400

Today in Hip Hop History, Lil’ Kim released her debut album Hard Core on November 12, 1996. The Brooklyn-born pint-sized rapper changed the course of hip hop.  Before Megan Thee Stallion bounced in a thong and before Nicki Minaj wore the colorful wigs— there was Lil Kim. Her album Hard Core album showed women in a different light compared to what we had seen from veterans like MC Late and Queen Latifah.  Lil Kim unabashedly spoke on her sex life and what she demanded from any man trying to court her. From her fashions to her hair to her aggressive rap style, she ushered women into the 2000s with sexy confidence we hadn’t seen before.

“No Time” quickly became an anthem and girls everywhere initiated Lil Kim as the Queen. There was an unforgettable promo poster released that stirred up a conversation and was plastered all over New York City. She and her crew Junior Mafia became one of the biggest groups in Hip hop led by the late great Notorious B.I.G.   Today we salute Lil Kim for a classic album, that still knocks to this day. Check out some of our favorites of the album Hardcore.  

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Today In Hip Hop History: 2Pac Dropped His Debut Album ‘2Pacalypse Now’ 33 Years Ago

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pacalypsenow

pacalypsenow

On this day in 1991, one of Hip-Hop’s brightest stars, Tupac Shakur, released his first studio album 2Pacalypse Now. Although it didn’t take the Billboard charts by storm upon its original release, it was the first of many albums that hold a place in the hearts of almost all fans of Hip-Hop across the world.

As far as content goes, this is easily Pac’s most politically influenced album. From the opening single, “Young Black Male,” the listener can tell how 2Pac felt about the circumstances facing his people in 1991. The rest of the album follows that aggressive poetic style. Although this approach to the industry wasn’t one that gave him a jump start like the radio heavy songs of his competition during that era, it did hold truth and leave a mark on those that heard it. The lack of commercial success of this album came from its lack of a true radio single. The most popular song on the album, “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” did reach a peak position of 11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart in 1992, the subject matter and lack of hook made it a hard song to flood the airwaves with.

This was not an album for the radio; it was an album for the people. It still is. The nearly 20-year-old Tupac Shakur was trying to talk to his bruised and battered people in the ghettos of America. He took the opportunity of his platform to showcase his poetic ability and address a country that he felt still needed to be addressed on the subject of racism and discrimination. This activist mindset became a theme throughout his career as he became more outspoken about the oppression of Blacks in America until his untimely death in 1997. From this project came the career of a man who has been argued to be the greatest rapper of all time. And whether that is certain or not, the fact still remains that this album started a legacy and we should all take some time to pay homage to the Thug who was taken from us too soon.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Wu Tang Clan Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ 31 Years Ago

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NYC Mayor to Proclaim Nov. 9 as 'Wu-Tang Day' on 30th Anniversary of 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers'

NYC Mayor to Proclaim Nov. 9 as 'Wu-Tang Day' on 30th Anniversary of 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers'

On November 9th, 1993 rap music was changed forever. On this day, 9 Gods from the slums of Shaolin, who together form the Wu Tang Clan, released their first studio LP entitled Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
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This album was recorded from 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City. The album was recorded on Loud Records and distributed by RCA Records. It cost a total of $36,000 to complete.

The album’s concept was inspired heavily by the group’s love for Kung Fu flicks, particularly the 1978 Liu Chia-Liang film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, a story about a man who set out to become the master of all 36 chambers of kung fu and reach a form of enlightenment. In the movie, the 36th chamber of kung fu is to bring the knowledge and wisdom of kung fu to the people of the entire world. For Wu-Tang Clan, that was the goal with this album.

The project was entitrely produced by the group’s leader, RZA, through the art of sampling. The beats consisted of a lot of soul And martial art samples along with sounds from early hip hop synthesizers. Lyrically, this album was nothing like anything that came before it or would come after it. I was a change from the afrocentric “boom-bap” that was prevalent in New York. It was edgy and street while remaining intellectual in content. The Wu-Tang Clan was able to synchronize their hustler mentality with the wisdom of an ancient martial arts master. Well known singles from this album include, but are not limited to, “Protect Ya Neck”, “Method Man”, and “C.R.E.A.M.”
Upon its release, in an article for The Source, The Ghetto Communicator wrote “This record is harsh, but so is the world that we live in. For B-boys n’girls who come from the core of the hard, this is the hip-hop album you’ve been waiting for”. The rest is history.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Jungle Brothers Released Their Debut LP ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 36 Years Ago

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tumblr 0f2a2b29af49b5e5386c7aef485eb691 682d3eb4 400

On this day in Hip Hop history, the Jungle Brothers released their debut LP Straight Out the Jungle.  As the first project of the illustrious Native Tongues collective, other members include De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep, this album opened the door for a new type of conscious rap. With their Afrocentric influence and sample-heavy production, the Jungle Brothers were able to create a unique sound in a saturated New York Hip Hop scene.

Coming at the end of the gold roped, tracksuited and Kangol Golden Age of Hip Hop this album ushered in a new era. Through a new style of sampling and almost no regard to the flamboyancy of mid-80’s rap, this album became a true trailblazer. The trio’s adventurous take on Hip Hop led to them exploring otherwise uncharted waters. Their jazz and house influence created a new lane for Hip Hop crossovers left behind by Def Jam’s obsession with rap-rock. The group’s lyrics were also a healthy and needed change to the genre. Prior to its release, rap was mostly dominated by MC’s rapping about how much better they could rap than everyone else. The Jungle Brothers came with bars to enrich the mind and soul of their listeners rather than stroke their own ego. Songs like “Straight Out of The Jungle” and “Black is Back” were some of the first rap songs with an overtly pro-Black message.

Commercially, the album was a quiet success, peaking at only #39 on the Billboard 200. Critically, however, this album was highly regarded as a new beginning for Hip Hop. Publications across the board hailed this album as a fresh take on rap as a whole. This album kicked off a new counter-culture in Hip Hop. Fans began to leave behind their flashy get-ups for dashikis and leather African pendents fueled by a new sense of blackness and cultural pride. Thanks to the Jungle Brothers and their debut, the early ’90s became the Hip Hop equivalent to the late ’60s of rock ‘n’ roll.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Goodie Mob Released Their Debut LP ‘Soul Food’ 29 Years Ago

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Goodie mob soul food 1995

Goodie mob soul food 1995

On this day in Hip Hop history one of Atlanta’s oldest collectives, Goodie Mob, stepped on the scene with their hit debut  Soul Food. As the second release by Georgia’s own Dungeon Family collective, Soul Food confirmed that the south truly had something to say.

In the early 90’s, southern Hip Hop’s appeal was purely commercial. Club anthems and summertime jams monopolized the southern air waves, not allowing any room for the conscious to make much headway between the NoLa bounce, Miami bass, and Houston’s Chopped and Screwed sub-genres. What made Goodie Mob stand out was their ability to build on the style created by close co-conspirators, OutKast. That innovation coupled with the collaboration with LaFace‘s own production powerhouse Organized Noize, Goodie Mob was able to create one of Atlanta’s first hit albums.

Soul Food was the world’s introduction to the ‘dirty south’, with the household term being first coined on this album. Musically, Goodie Mob was a synthesis of southern gospel, jazz, blues, with a touch of Atlanta’s signature marching band sound. As lyricists, the crew had a righteous gangster appeal with very by-any-means-necessary undertones. Their poetic and harmonic style allowed them to play as a voice of the south sonically and through their subject matter.

Commercially, the album was a success from the otherwise unknown group. Within the first few months of its release, the album had both been certified as gold by the RIAC and sold over 500,000 copies in the United States. The album’s singles, “Cell Therapy”, “Soul Food”, and “Dirty South” all became southern classic making The Top 10 Rap Singles chart. The album itself peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200 chart and #8 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

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Today In Hip Hop History: N.W.A. Released Their Debut Album ‘N.W.A. And The Posse’ 37 Years Ago

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nwa and the posse

nwa and the posse

On this date in 1987, a compilation album consisting of all of South Central Los Angeles and Compton’s hottest Hip Hop artists entitled N.W.A. And The Posse, originally released on Macola Records. It was re-issued by Ruthless as well as Priority Records. This is the group’s first, but unrecognized album, unlike their 1988 multi-platinum descendant Straight Outta Compton.

At the time, N.W,A.(Niggas Wit Attitudes) only consisted of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E and Arabian Prince. DJ Yella and MC Ren were not yet a part of the legendary collective, even though Ren did appear on the album’s cover photo(seen above). Other extended crew members aka “The Posse” included the late DJ Train(J.J. Fad), Tha Lench Mob’s Sir Jinx, Candyman, who is known for his platinum single “Knockin’ Boots”, K-Dee, Krazy Dee, MC Chip and DJ Scratch(NOT of EPMD). Six of the album’s 11 tracks came from N.W.A.’s core members, but four of the album’s tracks came from the Fila Fresh Crew, the clique from wich Dr. Dre plucked Doc-T aka The D.O.C.

Some of the album’s highlights include “Dope Man”, *8 Ball” and the classic “Boyz-N-The-Hood” anthem, which has been sampled and copied numerous times since its 1987 inception. All of the above singles along with an additional two tracks were written by O’Shea Jackson aka Ice Cube.

Salute to Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E(R.I.P.) DJ Yella, MC Ren, The D.O.C., Arabian Prince and everyone else who took part in this important part of Hip Hop history!

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Today In Hip Hop History: Lil Wayne’s Debut Album ‘The Block Is Hot’ Turns 25 Years Old!

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tumblr cd813dd29f3cb68b1915eeeb3ce40e66 bd401ff0 1280

On this date twenty five years ago, Dwayne Carter Jr. set out on his solo musical journey and dropped his first album The Block Is Hot on the Cash Money/Universal imprint. With in-house production exclusively from the one and only Mannie Fresh and executive production from Baby and Slim, Wayne’s debut set him out towards having legendarily anticipated debuts like The Carter series being possibly the best rapper of this generation.

Lead singles such as ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot”, which features Mannie Fresh and B.G., and the album’s title track introduced Wayne as Cash Money’s young gunner, who was already recording his major-label solo debut at the tender age of 16. The entire 17 track gem was certified platinum by the RIAA in less than two months of its release and is now a certified platinum album worldwide.

Salute to Mr. Carter, Baby, Slim, Fresh, B.G., Turk, Juvy, and the rest of the CMB for making this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

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