Violator: The Album is the first installment in the Violator hip hop compilations series. It was released on August 10, 1999 through Violator/Def Jam Recordings. It was the first release through the imprint Violator Records, a spin-off of Mona Scott & Chris Lighty's Violator Management company.
The LP features production from The Beatnuts, DJ Scratch, Diamond D, Havoc, Nottz, Q-Tip and Swizz Beatz, and featured Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, Ja Rule, The Hot Boys and the first appearance of well-known Bronx rapper Mysonne. Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing", the first solo single for the former A Tribe Called Quest member, was the album's first single and a major pop success. "Say What", by LL Cool J, was the album's second single. The album was certified gold in September 1999. Read about the 90s here.
