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It Was Written
''It Was Written'' is the second studio album by American rapper Nas, released on July 2, 1996, by Columbia Records. After the modest commercial success of his debut album ''Illmatic'' (1994), Nas pursued a more polished, mainstream sound for ''It Was Written''. Produced largely by Trackmasters, it departed from the debut's raw, underground aesthetic and embraced mafioso and gangsta themes. The recording also marked the first appearance of Nas's short-lived supergroup The Firm, featuring the rappers Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega. The album was a commercial success, selling 270,000 copies in its first week and debuting at number one on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, while receiving mostly positive reviews. It also heralded Nas's mainstream popularity as well as that of mafioso rap, joining similarly successful albums like Raekwon's ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…'' (1995) and Jay-Z's ''Reasonable Doubt'' (1996). However, Nas's more commercial sound fostered accusations of sellin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
D&D Studios
D&D Studios was a recording studio located in New York City on the west side of 37th street. Artists that recorded there include Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, The Notorious B.I.G., Fat Joe, Nas, Gang Starr, Jeru the Damaja, Afu-Ra, KRS-One, Frankie Cutlass, Violadores del Verso, Big L and Black Moon, among others. Founded by Douglas Grama and David Lotwin, D&D Records, which originated at the studios during the 1990s, released albums by Afu-Ra and The D&D All Stars. Other acts on the label included QNC and Mama Mystique. The recording studio managers were Barry Grama, David "Carpi" Carpenter and Paul Twumasi. Singer/songwriter Grayson Hugh recorded much of his 1988 RCA album "Blind To Reason" there, as well as the song "How Bout Us", with singer Betty Wright, for the film True Love (1989 film). In 2003, one of the most famous D&D studios producers, Gang Starr's DJ Premier, bought D&D from its owners and renamed it HeadQCourterz in honor to his friend Kenneth "HeadQCourterz" Walker ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)
"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" is a song by American rapper Nas featuring fellow American rapper Lauryn Hill, released on June 4, 1996 as the first single from his second album, ''It Was Written'' (1996). Produced by Trackmasters, with some uncredited input by Rashad Smith, it is based on the 1985 hit of the same name by American rapper Kurtis Blow and samples the beat of " Friends" by Whodini. Lauryn Hill's verse interpolates the song "Walk Right Up To The Sun" by The Delfonics. The single marked Hill's first musical appearance outside of the Fugees. "If I Ruled the World", bolstered by a high-budget music video directed by Hype Williams and designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy, became Nas's first single to gain mainstream notice. The single reached number 53 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, while also peaking in the top 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The song was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
RIAA Certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets.RIAA certification criteria Retrieved on September 11, 2006 Other countries have similar awards (see music recording certification). Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the must first request certification. The audit is conducted against net shipments after returns (most often an artist's royalty s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Selling Out
"Selling out", or "sold out" in the past tense, is a common expression for the compromising of a person's integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles by forgoing the long-term benefits of the collective or group in exchange for personal gain, such as money or power. In terms of music or art, selling out is associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream or commercial audience. For example, a musician who alters their material to encompass a wider audience, and in turn generates greater revenue, may be labeled by fans who pre-date the change as a "sellout". "Sellout" also refers to someone who gives up, or disregards someone or something for some other thing or person. In Sports In sports franchises, a "sellout" is a person or group claiming to adhere to the ideology of putting the collective interests of the team, franchise or fans above their own individual accomplishments or financial gain, only to follow these claims up with actions contradicting them, such ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reasonable Doubt (album)
''Reasonable Doubt'' is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by Priority Records and Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and also includes guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O and The Notorious B.I.G., among others. The album features mafioso rap themes and gritty lyrics about the "hustler" lifestyle and material obsessions. ''Reasonable Doubt'' debuted at number 23 on the US ''Billboard'' 200, on which it charted for 18 weeks. It was promoted with four singles; including " Ain't No Nigga" and " Can't Knock the Hustle". ''Reasonable Doubt'' was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and, as of 2006, has sold 1.5 million copies in the United States. A critical success, it has been ranked on several publications' lists of the greatest rap albums ever, while many hip hop fans have viewed it as Jay-Z's best ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists. He was the CEO of Def Jam Recordings and he has been central to the creative and commercial success of artists including Kanye West, Rihanna, and J. Cole. Born and raised in New York City, Jay-Z first began his musical career in the late 1980s; he co-founded the record label Roc-A-Fella Records in 1995 and released his debut studio album ''Reasonable Doubt (album), Reasonable Doubt'' in 1996. The album was released to widespread critical success, and solidified his standing in the music industry. He went on to release twelve additional albums, including the acclaimed albums ''The Blueprint'' (2001), ''The Black Album (Jay-Z album), The Black Album'' (2003), American Gangster (album), ''American Gangs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'' (commonly referred to as ''The Purple Tape'') is the debut studio album by American 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",Ma, David''Cuban Linx'' Revisited (page 1) ''Wax Poetics''. Retrieved 2010-07-27. It features appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album also features debut appearances for 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 a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Raekwon
Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon The Chef, or simply Raekwon (), is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of their debut album, ''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'', in 1993. Raekwon would subsequently pursue a solo career, releasing his first solo album, entitled '' Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'', in 1995. The album received critical acclaim, and is regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, as well as a staple of 1990s rap. Whereas his next two albums, ''Immobilarity'' in 1999 and then ''The Lex Diamond Story'' in 2003, drew mixed reviews, his fourth album, long delayed, '' Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II'', released in September 2009, was likened to ''The Godfather 2''. Recognized for his "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich," Raewkon is ranked among leading ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Billboard 200
The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists. Often, a recording act will be remembered by its " number ones", those of their albums that outperformed all others during at least one week. The chart grew from a weekly top 10 list in 1956 to become a top 200 list in May 1967, and acquired its current name in March 1992. Its previous names include the ''Billboard'' Top LPs (1961–1972), ''Billboard'' Top LPs & Tape (1972–1984), ''Billboard'' Top 200 Albums (1984–1985) and ''Billboard'' Top Pop Albums (1985–1992). The chart is based mostly on sales – both at retail and digital – of albums in the United States. The weekly sales period was originally Monday to Sunday when Nielsen started tracking sales in 1991, but since July 2015, tracking week begins on Friday (to coinc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cormega
Cory McKay (born December 3, 1970), better known by his stage name Cormega, is an American rapper who attained notice when he was shouted out by Nas on his song "One Love", from the critically acclaimed 1994 album ''Illmatic''. The album was released during Cormega's time in prison, but the mention sparked his career and created anticipation for his own rapping. Early life Cormega was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in Queens. He was childhood friends with Nas, Havoc and Capone, who all went on to become successful rappers. A frequent theme of his music is the countless number of his friends and family that have been killed by violence. Career 1990s He was featured on Hot Day's "Going Straight Up" from his album ''It's My Turn''. He was also featured on Blaq Poet and DJ Hot Day's track "Set It Off" from their album ''Without Warning'' in 1991. During a period of incarceration, Cormega gained some attention following a shout-out from Nas on his song "One Love", ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
AZ (rapper)
Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York. He is known for being a longtime and frequent music partner of East Coast rapper Nas and also a member of hip hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature. Online magazine About.com listed AZ as the "Most Underrated apperof All Time". AZ also made it onto the sites' "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", where he was reiterated as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever." AZ first became known by appearing on Nas's landmark 1994 album ''Illmatic'' on the song " Life's a Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track "The Genesis". AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album, ''Doe or Die'', in 1995, to critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Foxy Brown (rapper)
Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand (born September 6, 1978), better known by her stage name Foxy Brown, is an American rapper. After signing to Def Jam in 1996, she released her debut album, '' Ill Na Na'', later that year on November 19, 1996. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. She was also part of the hip hop supergroup the Firm, along with Nas, AZ and Cormega (who was later replaced by Nature). The Firm's sole album arrived in 1997 and was released by Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records. In 1999, her second album '' Chyna Doll'', debuted at the top of the ''Billboard'' 200, making her the second female rapper to top the chart after Lauryn Hill in 1998. Her third album '' Broken Silence'', was released in 2001, which featured the Grammy-nominated track "Na Na Be Like". In 2003, she left Def Jam and canceled the release of her ''Ill Na Na 2'' album, but returned in 2005 once Jay-Z, then the label's president and CEO, signed her again ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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