''I Gotta Be Me'' is the only album by the late hip-hop producer Johnny "J" on Shade Tree Records, with distribution by Solar Records by way of their recently formed independent label distribution unit, The J. Hines Company. ''I Gotta Be Me'' was an album that explored Johnny J's lyrical skills and abilities as well as his experiences in life, love, sex, relationships, and music, and was also the first appearance of the gangsta-themed female Hip-Hop/R&B quartet

Y?N-Vee ''Y?N-Vee'' is the only studio album by R&B/Hip hop group, Y?N-Vee. It was released on October 18, 1994 as the debut release from PMP Records through the Rush Associated Labels division of Def Jam Recordings and was produced mostly by Doug Rashee ...

, who soon after recorded with Johnny J's friend

2Pac Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...

and his affiliate group, Thug Life, and released their one and only album for PMP Records, the same label that launched the career of R&B star Montell Jordan a year later. ''I Gotta Be Me'' spawned two singles -- "Get Away From Me" and the Bass rap cut, "Diggin Um' Out". The musical backing track of the song "Better Off" was later recycled into the tune "Picture Me Rollin'" by Tupac for his album '' All Eyez On Me'' in 1996.

Track listing

Album singles

{{Authority control 1994 debut albums Hip hop albums by American artists Albums produced by Johnny "J"