The Sexorcist is the fourth studio album by rapper Necro, released on August 2, 2005 by Psycho+Logical-Records. Necro has been known for his gory lyrics, however this album marked a focus particularly on sex and porn. It is also the second album to feature live instrumentation by Necro himself. Despite the album’s suggestive themes which include gore, degradation, sex, bondage, and diaper play, Necro chose not to place a parental advisory sticker on the cover.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… is the solo debut album of rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released on August 1, 1995, by Loud Records and RCA Records. The album was loosely composed to play like a film with Raekwon as the “star,” fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah as the “guest-star,” and producer RZA as the “director.” It features appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan and affiliates Cappadonna, and Blue Raspberry. It also features an acclaimed guest appearance from rapper Nas, which marked the first collaboration with a non-affiliated artist on a Wu-Tang related album. Upon its release, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart, and number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while selling 130,000 copies in its opening week.The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 2, 1995 and according to Nielsen Soundscan, it has sold 1.1 million copies in the United States alone. Although it failed to acquire the same initial sales success as previous Wu-Tang solo albums, Cuban Linx achieved greater critical praise, with many complimenting its cinematic lyricism and production.Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… has increased its acclamation among music critics and writers over the years, as many have lauded it as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Best Kept Secret is an album by J-88 (an alias for Slum Village). Released prior to Jay Dee’s departure from Slum Village, the album is the missing link between Fantastic 1 and Fantastic 2, along with a few remixes by producers Madlib, and IG Culture. Although much of the material was previously unreleased, two of the tracks, “The Look Of Love Pt. 1” and “Keep It On”, remain virtually unchanged from the versions found on Fan-Tas-Tic (Vol. 1).
Ridin’ Dirty is the third studio album by hip hop duo UGK. It was released on July 30, 1996 by Jive Records. Despite no music videos or official singles being released, it is their best selling album with over 850,000 copies sold to date,with 67,200 copies sold in its first week.
The Art of War is the third studio album by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony which was released on July 29, 1997. The album sold 394,000 units in its first week of release. The album was certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA in June 1998. It was the first double-album from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. The album included the platinum-single “Look into My Eyes”, and the gold-single “If I Could Teach the World”. The whole album is produced by DJ U-Neek. The album was rumored to be called “DNA Level C” which is Cleveland backwards. “The Art of War” was created largely as a response to rappers deemed “Clones” (copycats) by the group.
Business Never Personal is the fourth studio album by hip hop duo EPMD, released July 28, 1992 on Def Jam Records.Following mixed criticism of their previous studio effort, 1990’s Business As Usual, the duo was able to return to their past acclaim on Business Never Personal. The album is considered the duo’s third classic by fans and critics. The record was originally given a rating of 4.5 mics out of 5 in The Source in 1992. The lead single, “Crossover”, became its biggest success, nearly reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ironically, the song was about keeping it real and not crossing over to the mainstream, but became EPMD’s biggest mainstream success. The duo cut “Head Banger” with Redman and K-Solo was also a hit in 1992. The album was later certified Gold in sales by the RIAA on October 13, 1992. The single “Crossover” was certified Gold on November 16, 1992. While it has yet to feature a U.S. reissue, Business Never Personal has been re-released in 2005 on vinyl in Europe. Members Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith began having money troubles during recording, which led to a 1992 robbery of Smith’s home. The perpetrators claimed that Erick Sermon paid them to do the deed, causing the group to break up soon after this release. They each released two solo albums between 1993 and 1996, then reunited as a duo in 1997.
Represent is the debut studio album by rapper Fat Joe then known as Fat Joe da Gangsta. The album’s lead single “Flow Joe” peaked number 82 on the Billboard 100 by late 1993. In mid-1994, he released his second single “Watch The Sound” followed by “The Shit Is Real”, featuring a remix by DJ Premier which would appear on Joe’s second album.
Follow the Leader is the second studio album by hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on July 26, 1988, by Uni Records. It is the follow-up to their 1987 debut album Paid in Full. The album was recorded at Power Play Studios in New York City, and produced, arranged, and composed by the duo, with additional contributions from Eric B.’s brother Stevie Blass Griffin. While its singles attained moderate success, the album performed better on music charts than Eric B. & Rakim’s debut album and reached number 22 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, having shipped 500,000 copies in the United States. Released during hip hop’s “golden age”, Follow the Leader was well received by critics and has since been recognized by critics as one of the most groundbreaking, influential, and greatest hip hop albums of all time.
E. 1999 Eternal is the second studio album by hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, released July 25, 1995, on Ruthless Records. The album was released four months after the death of rapper Eazy-E, the group’s mentor and the executive producer of the album. Both the album and single “Tha Crossroads” are dedicated to him. Following up on the surprise success of their breakthrough single “Thuggish Ruggish Bone”, it became a popular album and received positive reviews from music critics, earning praise for the group’s melodic rapping style. The album title is a portmanteau of the then-future year 1999 and Cleveland’s eastside neighborhood centering around East 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue where the group is based from. E. 1999 Eternal became the group’s best-selling album, with over five million copies sold in the United States and ten million worldwide. It topped the US Billboard 200 for two consecutive weeks. The album was nominated for the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, ultimately losing to Naughty by Nature’s Poverty’s Paradise at the 1996 Grammy Awards.
Take a Look Around is the debut album from hip hop artist Masta Ace, originally known as Master Ace. After debuting on the classic hip hop crew cut “The Symphony” with the Juice Crew in 1988, Ace released his debut single, “Together” b/w “Letter to the Better” in 1989. The former is included here, as well as a remixed version of “Letter to the Better.” The album also featured two hip-hop hits, “Music Man” and “Me & the Biz.
500 Degreez is the third studio album by rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on July 23, 2002, by Cash Money Records. The album’s title was inspired by the album 400 Degreez (1998), by a fellow rapper Juvenile. The album debuted at number 6 on the US Billboard 200, selling 103,000 copies in the first week. On September 3, 2002, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Bigger and Deffer (BAD), is the second studio album by rapper LL Cool J and is remembered most for containing the first commercially successful “rap ballad”, “I Need Love”. It also contains the single “Go Cut Creator Go”, which paid homage to his DJ, and the breakthrough single in the U.K. “I’m Bad”. With over 3 million copies sold in the United States alone, it stands as L L Cool J’s biggest career album. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums, while receiving mixed reviews from other critics. The front cover photograph on the album was taken in front of Andrew Jackson High School in Queens (which LL Cool J attended before dropping out in the 10th or 11th grade) and the back cover was shot in his grandmother’s basement where he was living at the time. Both images were shot by Glen E. Friedman.
Confessions of Fire is the debut album by Harlem rapper Cam’ron. It was released on July 21, 1998. It’s singles were “Horse & Carriage,” featuring Mase, “357” and “Feels Good” featuring Usher. The album was certified gold by the RIAA with over 500,000 copies sold.
Black Sunday is the second album by group Cypress Hill. It was released on July 20, 1993. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 selling 261,000 copies in its first week, recording the highest Soundscan for a rap group at the time. The album went Triple platinum in the U.S. with 3.4 million units sold. Black Sunday is also seen as a hip hop classic and the group’s most successful material to date.
