Jaz-O's Word to the Jaz Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Masta Ace Incorporated's Sittin' On Chrome Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Brother Ali's Shadows On The Sun Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Pete Rock's Petestrumentals Album Annoversary
}
}
]});
Blackalicious' Blazing Arrow Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
The Roots' Rising Down Album Anniversary
A subsequent deal with Def Jam fostered a series of riveting, often grim sets, beginning with Game Theory (August 2006) and Rising Down (April 2008). In 2009, the group expanded its reach as the exceptionally versatile house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The new gig didn't slow their recording schedule; in 2010 alone, they released the sharp How I Got Over (June), as well as Wake Up! (September), where they backed John Legend on covers of socially relevant soul classics like Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "Wake Up Everybody" and Donny Hathaway's "Little Ghetto Boy."
}
}
]});
Drake's Views Album Anniversary
Drake announced in January 2016 that his fourth studio album would be launched during the spring, releasing the promotional single "Summer Sixteen" later that month. The album was originally titled Views from the 6, but was later shortened to Views. "Summer Sixteen" debuted at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, and proved controversial, with Drake comparing his standing in hip hop to more tenured artists.
}
}
]});
Big Pun's Capital Punishment Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Freestyle Fellowship's Innercity Griots Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
50 Cent's Guess Who's Back Album Anniversary
With the help from his business partner Sha Money XL, he made a return to the rap underground, began recording over thirty songs for mixtapes and formed a hip hop group G-Unit, featuring Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and Tony Yayo, with the intention to set up a solid career in the industry. Together they produced large quantities of tracks, some of which featured the companions rapping over popular beats, while the others mocked popular rappers, and had them compiled on "Guess Who's Back?" in 2002. Much to their surprise, the mixtape garnered industry attention as well as street esteem, particularly popular rapper Eminem who declared on a radio show his admiration for 50 Cent. And amidst a bidding war that followed, Em indeed got him signed to his and Dr. Dre's Shady/Aftermath label.
Read more about 50 Cent here.
}
}
]});
Outkast's Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik Album Anniversary
OutKast's first full-length record, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was released in 1994, and made it to No. 3 on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop albums chart. They emerged as one of a slew of Atlanta-based groups that were gaining national attention at the time. "Just as Ice Cube had narrated a Westside story and KRS-One told an Eastside version, OutKast ... slanged parables" about their hometown, noted L.A. Weekly writer Michael Datcher.
Read more about Outkast here.
}
}
]});
Mobb Deep's The Infamous Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Oaktown's 357's Wild & Loose Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
X Clan's To the East, Blackwards Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Gang Starr's No More Mr. Nice Guy Album Anniversary
Premier, meanwhile, had relocated to Texas to attend college, but left demos of his work with various labels before his departure. In Texas, he put together the Inner City Posse, who finally saw their demo get some attention. Premier was offered a recording contract with Wild Pitch Records, but only on the condition he lost his original rapper. The label put him in touch with Guru instead, who had chanced upon one of Premier’s demo tapes in their offices, and a marriage made in hip-hop heaven was born. However, Premier had to return to college in Texas, and so the duo’s liaison took place largely over the phone, and by sending each other tapes. The fruits of their labour were unveiled on 1989’s debut album, No More Mr. Nice Guy, completed in 10 days while Premier was on vacation.
}
}
]});
Beastie Boys' Check Your Head Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Mike Jones' Who Is Mike Jones Album Anniversary
In 2004 after the release of his breakout single "Still Tippin'", which was receiving much radio play, Jones signed a major deal to Jive Records and Warner Bros. He quickly released his second single, "Back Then", which eventually went Platinum, making it Jones's first Platinum single. On April 19, 2005, Jones released his debut album, Who Is Mike Jones? After two months the album also achieved Platinum status, eventually reaching double Platinum. It is Jones's highest selling album to date.
Read more about Mike Jones here.
}
}
]});
Nas' Illmatic Album Anniversary
Columbia Records meanwhile signed Nas to a major-label contract, and many of New York's finest producers offered their support. DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Pete Rock entered the studio with the young rapper and began work on Illmatic. When Columbia finally released the album in April 1994, it faced high expectations; Illmatic regardless proved just as astounding as it had been billed. It sold very well, spawned multiple hits, and earned unanimous acclaim, followed soon after by classic status.
Read more about Nas here.
}
}
]});
Kendrick Lamar's DAMN Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
Spice 1's Spice 1 Album Anniversary
}
}
]});
