Loyal to the Game is the ninth studio album and fifth posthumous studio album by Tupac Shakur. It contains remixes of previously unreleased music recorded by Shakur before his death in 1996. Released in the United States on December 14, 2004 (December 12 in the United Kingdom), Loyal to the Game was produced by Eminem.
God’s Son is the seventh studio album by rapper Nas, released December 13, 2002 on Columbia-imprint Ill Will Records. Production for the album took place during 2001 to 2002 and was handled by several hip hop producers, including Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson, Ron Browz, and The Alchemist. Partly inspired by Nas’s feud with Jay-Z and the death of his mother in early 2002, God’s Son covers lyrical themes such as religion, violence, and his own emotional experiences. It has been recognized by music writers as a personal work by Nas. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 156,000 copies in its first week. It ultimately peaked at number 12 on the chart and produced three singles that achieved Billboard chart success. Upon its release, God’s Son received critical acclaim, with critics praising Nas’ lyricism and viewing it as a progression from his previous work. On January 14, 2003, the album was certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), following sales in excess of one million copies.
The Inspiration is the fourth studio album by rapper Young Jeezy. It was released on December 12, 2006, by Def Jam Recordings and his own record label Corporate Thugz Entertainment (CTE).The Inspiration was supported by three singles; “I Luv It”, “Go Getta” featuring R. Kelly and “Dreamin’” featuring Keyshia Cole.
Infamy is the fifth studio album by the hip hop duo Mobb Deep. Infamy was released after Jay-Z dissed Mobb Deep and Nas on his song “Takeover,” from Jay-Z’s 2001 album, The Blueprint, which caused Prodigy to strike back on the Track “Crawlin’,” in which he calls Jay a “female-ass nigga homo emcee.” “H to the you know,” calls Jay’s retaliation of baby pictures weak and threatens him, calling him “scared”. Despite containing the popular classics “The Learning (Burn)” and “Get Away”, most fans felt that Prodigy’s lyricism was weak in this album, especially when comparing to his classic lines in songs from previous albums.Infamy has been certified for Gold-level sales, selling around 800,000 copies.
Muddy Waters is the third studio album from rapper Redman, released December 10, 1996 on Def Jam Recordings. The album peaked at twelve on the Billboard 200 chart.
Universal Mind Control is Common’s eighth studio album. Originally scheduled to be released on June 24, 2008 under the name Invincible Summer, the release date was pushed back to September 30, 2008 due to Common filming Wanted. However, on September 10, 2008, it was announced that the title would be changed to Universal Mind Control and the release was pushed back to December 9, 2008. In 2010, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album but lost to the Eminem album Relapse.
Hot, Cool, & Vicious is the 1986 debut album by rap group Salt-n-Pepa. Released by Next Plateau Records on December 8, 1986, It was one of the first albums to be released by an all-female rap group. Hot, Cool, & Vicious also became the first album by a female rap act to attain gold and platinum status in America. The album features the songs “The Showstopper” and “I’ll Take Your Man”, recorded and released prior to the full album’s release. It also includes R&B radio favorites “Tramp” and “My Mic Sound Nice”, but it was after the 1987 addition of the dance-rap single “Push It” (US #1, UK #2), along with the replacement of two other tracks with remixed versions, that the album was propelled to gold status, then platinum status in America. The single itself was also certified platinum.
Born Again is a posthumous album by The Notorious B.I.G. It was released on December 7, 1999. It is composed primarily of early recorded verses with newer beats and guest rappers. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 485,000 albums sold in the first week, and was later certified Double-platinum on January 14, 2000. Born Again received generally very mixed reviews from music critics.
Tha Carter II is the fifth studio album by rapper Lil Wayne, released on December 6, 2005, by Cash Money, Young Money, and Universal. The album serves as a sequel to his fourth album Tha Carter (2004). Its music incorporates southern hip hop styles. As executive producers, Birdman and Ronald “Slim” Williams enlisted a variety of collaborators, including The Runners, Robin Thicke, and The Heatmakerz. Tha Carter II is widely considered by critics and fans to be one of Lil Wayne’s best albums. Upon its release, Tha Carter II received acclaim from music critics, who complimented its musical progression from his previous albums. The album peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first week sales of over 254,000 copies. The album has sold over 1,400,000 copies since its release.
The 16th edition of SCOPE Miami Beach brings approximately 55,000 visitors over the weekend. Works from 31 countries and 77 cities all under one ocean adjacent pavilion on Ocean Drive and 8th Street. Photos by Lauren McCready Photos by Katherine Rosario
Christmas on Death Row is a compilation released by Death Row Records on December 5, 1996. The album sold 200,000 copies. The album was made as a form of charity to the community.
Chad Lamont Butler was born December 29, 1973, better known by his stage name Pimp C, He was a rapper, singer, and producer. He was best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK). Pimp C was found dead in a hotel in West Hollywood, California, on December 4, 2007 an autopsy revealed it an accidental cough-medicine overdose. RIP Pimp C.
“California Love” is a hip hop song by 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman. The song was released as 2Pac’s comeback single after his release from prison in 1995 and was his first single as a Death Row Records artist. This is perhaps 2Pac’s best-known song and his most successful, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks (as a double-A side single with “How Do U Want It”) and 5 weeks at number one in New Zealand. The song was nominated for a posthumous Grammy Award as a Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman) in 1997.
Arian Asllani was born December 2, 1983, better known by the stage name Action Bronson. In August 2012, he signed to Warner Bros. Records, but was later moved to Atlantic Records’ imprint, Vice Records. Bronson has released several mixtapes, such as Rare Chandeliers (2012), with American hip hop producer The Alchemist and Blue Chips 2 (2013), with longtime producer Party Supplies, before releasing his major label debut, an extended play (EP) titled Saaab Stories, with frequent collaborator Harry Fraud, in 2013. He released his major label debut album, Mr. Wonderful, on March 23, 2015.