On this date in 1995, Antonio Cruz aka AZ from Nas’ “Life’s A Bitch” fame, released his debut album Doe Or Die on EMI Records. Produced by legendary producers Pete Rock, DITC’s Buckwild, LES, D.R. Period as well as AZ himself, AZ was able to land the deal for this album strictly off of the […]
Exactly a quarter century ago, one of the greatest conceptual albums in the history of Hip Hop was released. Raekwon The Chef released his debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, guest starring his right hand man, Ghostface Killah aka Tony Starks. Released on the Loud/RCA imprint and produced exclusively by The Abbott himself, Only […]
On this date in Hip Hop history, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, released their 2nd LP E. 1999 Eternal on Ruthless Records Four months after the death of rapper/executive producer Eazy-E, Cleveland rap quartet Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their 2nd studio album East 1999 Eternal. Today marks a quarter-century since the release of the hip-hop classic. With songs like […]
Its been 25 years since the original stoner comedy Friday lit up the theaters. The film not only grossed $28 million in the box office, it became a timeless classic. Friday tells the story of two pals, Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker), who are enjoying the start of their weekend while trying to avoid the neighborhood’s […]
Sony Music is commemorating the 25th anniversary of Mobb Deep’s The Infamous with a digital-only expanded edition of the groundbreaking East Coast rap masterpiece available online Friday, April 24. The Infamous – 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition includes bonus tracks “Shook Ones, Part I” (Original Version), and Infamous Sessions Mixes of “The Money (Version 2)” and […]
On this day a quarter-century ago, “the illustrious” rap duo Mobb Deep released their second studio LP, The Infamous. Much more successful than their debut, The Infamous is hailed as a New York classic of crime rhyme. Its gritty underground sound is a staple of the Rotten Apple’s 90s Hip Hop. The Infamous was a euphemism for […]
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception. […]
On this date, a quarter-century ago, Big L dropped his debut and only full-length studio album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous on Columbia Records. Aside from, eloquently stated by The Source Magazine at the time, “[coming] with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run,” […]
On this day in Hip-Hop History, the late Tupac Shakur released his third studio LP, Me Against the World. This album came at one of the most pivotal times in ‘Pac’s life and career. Recorded shortly after his near-fatal assassination attempt in New York and released while he was in prison, this album marked a […]
On this day in 1995, Compton’s own DJ Quik released his third album entitled Safe + Sound. Released on Profile Records, it peaked at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA by July 11. Executive produced by Suge Knight, the LP featured the singles “Dollaz & Sense” […]
On this date in 1995, Black Thought, Questlove, Dice Raw, Rahzel and the original Roots crew dropped the Philly Hip Hop collective’s second LP Do You Want More?!!!??! on DGC Records. Recognized as a classic fusion of Hip Hop and jazz, Do You Want More?!!!??! was the first major full-length debut from the Philly-based group. […]
On this day in 1994, the Queen of Hip Hop/R&B Mary J. Blige released what is possibly her best work to date, he sophomore ‘My Life’ album. Produced by Diddy, who was then recognized as Sean “Puffy” Combs on his skyrocketing Bad Boy imprint, MJB’s album appealed to so many because of her relatable experiences […]
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 […]
The early ’90s was a hub for many things we consider today to be iconic, and one prime example of that would easily be the grand opening of Supreme New York on Lafayette Street in April 1994. The legendary skatewear brand reflects back on that amazing history with a new capsule collection that officially commemorates […]
We’ve been in Illmatic 25th anniversary mode all day — peep our Today In Hip-Hop History feature for a breakdown of Esco’s monumental debut album! — but nobody is reveling in the moment more than the man himself. That’s why last night made for an extra special occasion, as Nas returned home to NYC to […]
How does one change the entire game of Hip-Hop with a single album — a debut album that clocks in at just under 40 minutes at that? For then-20-year-old rapper Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones — we’ve all grown to love and known him simply as Nas — that became a reality that has only […]
April 5 is an interesting day in Hip-Hop music. Rarely is a rap record released on this day — we did the research, but feel free to prove us wrong! — but there was one influential LP that jumpstarted the careers of two Brownsville natives and competely shook the game up in 1994. Yes, we’re […]
On this day in Hip Hop history, Death Row Records in conglomeration with Interscope Records released the soundtrack to the popular film, Above the Rim. Winning the 1995 Source Award for Soundtrack of the Year, this album featured so many hits that it could have stood alone from the movie as a compilation album. Acting […]
On this date in 1994, the legendary Staten Island, NY collective known as the Wu-Tang Clan released one of the crew’s most memorable songs to date; “C.R.E.A.M.(Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” from their debut album Enter The 36 Chambers. Recorded in Firehouse studios in NYC, Wu-Tang Clan leader/advisor The RZA sampled The Charmels’ 1967 song, […]
2019 is for sure about to be the year that all our favorite sneakers make a comeback. First the return of the Jumpman Swift 6, then a 30th anniversary Air Jordan 4, and now Reebok is following suit by reviving the OG “Citron” colorway for the classic Instapump Fury. REGISTER TO VOTE GET ELECTION REMINDERS […]
