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11/19/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Mobb Deep released Hell On Earth” November 19, 1996

Hell on Earth is the third studio album by East Coast hip hop group Mobb Deep, which was first released on November 19, 1996, on Loud/RCA/BMG Records. The album is largely a continuation of Mobb Deep’s previous album, the critically acclaimed The Infamous. The album is produced by Havoc and Prodigy and also features guest appearances by emcees Nas, Raekwon, Method Man, and frequent collaborator Big Noyd. The album stands out for its acclaimed singles “G.O.D. Pt. III” and “Hell on Earth (Front Lines),” as well as “Drop a Gem on ‘Em,” a response to 2Pac’s diss track “Hit ‘Em Up.” The album, one of the earliest enhanced CDs, also contains an additional track (“In the Long Run”) that at the time, had to be unlocked with the use of a computer.

11/18/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “LL Cool J released Radio” November 18, 1985

Radio is the debut studio album by rapper LL Cool J, released November 18, 1985 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. It serves as the label’s first full-length album release. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1984 to 1985 at Chung King House of Metal in New York City. The album was primarily produced by Rick Rubin, who provided a sparse and minimal production style. Radio also features a sound that is punctuated by DJ scratching, mostly brief samples, and emphasis of the downbeat. LL Cool J’s b-boy lyricism conveys themes of inner city culture, teenage promiscuity, and braggadocio raps. The album experienced a significant amount of commercial success and sales for a hip hop record at the time, earning U.S. Billboard chart success and selling over 500,000 copies within its first five months of release. On April 19, 1989, Radio was certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), following sales in excess of one million copies in the United States. Initial criticism of the album was generally positive, as LL Cool J’s lyricism and Rick Rubin’s production were praised by several music critics. It has since been recognized by critics as LL Cool J’s greatest work. Reflecting the new school and ghettoblaster subculture in the U.S. during the mid-1980s, Radio belongs to a pivotal moment in the history and culture of hip hop. Its success contributed to the displacement of the old school with the new school form and to the genre’s mainstream success during the period. Its success also served as a career breakthrough for LL Cool J and Rick Rubin. Radio has been recognized by music writers as one of the first cohesive and commercially successful hip hop albums.

11/17/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Ice Cube released The Predator” November 17, 1992

The Predator is the third studio album by Ice Cube. Released within months of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, many songs comment on the racial tensions. The title is in part reference to the movie Predator 2 and the album itself includes samples from the film. Though not his most critically successful album, commercially The Predator is Ice Cube’s most successful album, reaching 2x platinum status in the United States, also containing his most successful single, “It Was a Good Day.” The Predator is his only number one album on the Billboard 200 to date, selling 193,000 copies in its first week.

11/16/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Dr. Dre released 2001” November 16, 1999

2001 is the second studio album by hip hop recording artist Dr. Dre, released on November 16, 1999, by Interscope Records. It is the follow-up to his debut album The Chronic (1992). It was produced primarily by Dr. Dre and Mel-Man, as well as Lord Finesse and features several guest contributions from fellow rappers such as The D.O.C., Hittman, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, and Eminem. 2001 exhibits an expansion on his debut’s G-funk sound and contains gangsta rap themes such as violence, promiscuity, drug use, street gangs and crime. The album debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 516,000 copies in it’s first week. It produced three singles that attained chart success and has been certified sextuple platinum in sales by the RIAA after sales of six million copies in the United States. Despite mixed criticism toward it’s gangster-themed lyrics, 2001 received general acclaim from music critics. As of July 2013 the album has sold 7,664,000 copies in the United States.

11/15/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Method Man released Tical” November 15, 1994

Tical is the debut solo album from rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man, released November 15, 1994, on Def Jam Records. It was the first Wu-Tang solo album released after the group’s debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Similar to all first generation solo Wu-Tang projects, Tical was mainly produced by group member RZA, who provided a dark, murky and rugged sound. The album features guest appearances from RZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, as well as several affiliates who would later appear on future group projects. The album’s title “Tical” is a slang term for a blunt that has been laced with an adulterant, typically a sweetener or another psychoactive substance. The album title is also a play on the word “methodical”. Tical was a commercial success, reaching number four on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. On January 18, 1995, the album was certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and on July 13, 1995, it was certified platinum after sales of one million copies. This success was driven by its two singles, “Bring the Pain” and “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By”. The album has since been hailed by several music critics as a classic hip hop album. Its success is matched by it’s influence as a major piece in the East coast hip hop renaissance.

11/14/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Jay-Z released The Black Album” November 14, 2003

The Black Album is the eighth studio album by rapper Jay Z, released on November 14, 2003, by Roc-A-Fella Records. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is as a recurring theme throughout the songs although Jay Z resumed his recording career in 2006. For the album, Jay Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Kanye West, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Rick Rubin, and 9th Wonder, among others. When The Black Album was released, it received widespread acclaim from critics. In its first week, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 463,000 copies in the United States. It became Jay Z’s top selling record of the 2000s decade and by July 2013 it had sold 3,516,000 copies in the US. The Black Album was promoted with a retirement tour by Jay Z and three singles that also achieved Billboard chart success, including the top-ten hits “Change Clothes” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulder”.

11/12/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Lil’ Kim released Hard Core” November 12, 1996

Hard Core is the debut studio album by rapper Lil’ Kim; it was released on November 12, 1996 by Undeas Recordings and Big Beat Records. The album was notable for its overt raunchy sexual tone and Kim’s lyrical delivery, which was praised by music critics shortly after its release. Hard Core debuted at number eleven on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number three on Billboard‍ ’​s Top R&B Albums, selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release and reached the top ten of the Canadian Albums Chart. In the United States, Hard Core was certified double platinum by the RIAA and is considered by many a classic hip hop album.

11/11/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Timbaland and Magoo released Welcome To Our World” November 11, 1997

Welcome to Our World is the debut studio album released by hip-hop duo Timbaland & Magoo, issued on Blackground Records in 1997. The album features a number of guest appearances from Timbaland & Magoo’s regular collaborators at the time, among them Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, Aaliyah, Ginuwine and Playa. The album sold over 1 million copies and went platinum. The album spawned three singles: the official singles “Up Jumps da Boogie” and “Clock Strikes”, and the promotional single “Luv 2 Luv Ya”. 

11/07/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “GZA released Liquid Swords” November 7, 1995

Liquid Swords is the second solo studio album by rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, released on November 7, 1995 by Geffen Records. Recording sessions for the album began mid-way through 1995 at producer RZA’s basement studio in the New York City borough of Staten Island. The album heavily samples dialogue from the martial arts film Shogun Assassin and maintains a dark atmosphere throughout its course, while it incorporates lyrical references to chess, crime and philosophy. Liquid Swords features numerous guest appearances from the entire nine piece Wu-Tang Clan, and also Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest. Upon its release, Liquid Swords peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 chart, and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Upon its initial release, Liquid Swords received critical acclaim for its complex lyricism and hypnotic musical style. Over the years, its recognition has grown, with a number of famous publishers proclaiming it as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune cited it as “one of the most substantial lyrical journeys in hip-hop history”. Along with Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, Liquid Swords is often cited as the best solo work by a Wu-Tang member.

11/06/2016
In HipHop History Today

In Hip Hop History Today “Jay-Z released American Gangster” November 6, 2007

American Gangster is the tenth studio album by rapper Jay-Z released November 6, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records. It is his first concept album, which was inspired by the film of the same name. The album features production from Diddy & The Hitmen, Just Blaze, and The Neptunes, among others. Guest appearances include Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Pharrell and Nas. Jay-Z released an a cappella version of the album on the date of his 38th birthday, December 4, 2007. The album was released to commercial success, despite being pulled from the iTunes Store at Jay-Z’s request, at the time of its initial release. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 425,861 copies in its first week, while tying Elvis Presley for the second most U.S. number-one albums. Upon its release, American Gangster received general acclaim from most music critics. Rolling Stone named it the third best album of 2007. The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments in excess of one million copies in the United States.

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