99 articles
Paid in Full (album)
Paid in Full, Eric B. & Rakim's 1987 debut on 4th & B'way, recorded in a week at Marley Marl's studio; a million-selling landmark of hip hop rhyme and funk sampling.
Paul's Boutique
Paul's Boutique is a 1989 album by the Beastie Boys, produced with the Dust Brothers and known for its dense sampling of more than 100 songs.
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is the debut album by A Tribe Called Quest, featuring the songs "Can I Kick It?" and "Bonita Applebum."
Please Don't Cry
Please Don't Cry is Rapsody's fourth studio album, released May 17, 2024 on We Each Other/Jamla/Roc Nation. A 22-track therapy-framed record with Phylicia Rashad interludes, production from Hit-Boy, S1, BLK ODYSSY, and Eric G, and features from Erykah Badu and Lil Wayne; distinct from other works of the same name.
Ready to Die
Ready to Die is The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut studio album, released September 13, 1994 on Bad Boy Records, executive produced by Sean Combs; 6x Platinum, with hits "Juicy," "Big Poppa," and "One More Chance," and inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2024.
Reasonable Doubt (album)
Reasonable Doubt is Jay-Z's debut studio album, released June 25, 1996 on Roc-A-Fella/Priority/Freeze. Produced by DJ Premier, Ski, and Clark Kent, it peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200, popularized mafioso rap, and later entered the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Relapse (Eminem album)
Relapse is Eminem's sixth studio album, released May 19, 2009 after five years, a Dr. Dre-produced concept album about addiction, with Relapse: Refill reissue, a 2010 Best Rap Album Grammy, and a shelved Relapse 2.
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version is Ol' Dirty Bastard's 1995 debut solo album, the second Wu-Tang Clan solo release after Tical, with hits "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Brooklyn Zoo," RZA-led production, and RIAA platinum certification in 2020.
Revival (Eminem album)
Revival is Eminem's ninth studio album, released December 15, 2017 on Aftermath/Shady/Interscope. Produced with Rick Rubin, Alex da Kid, and Dr. Dre; guests include Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran; Metacritic score 50.
Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon
Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon: Pop Smoke's posthumous debut album, released July 3, 2020, executive produced by 50 Cent; 19 songs, debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 251,000 units.
Shut 'Em Down (album)
Shut 'Em Down is Onyx's third studio album, released June 2, 1998 on Def Jam and JMJ Records, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard 200.
Stillmatic
Stillmatic is Nas's fifth studio album, released December 18, 2001 on Ill Will/Columbia, known as his comeback after Illmatic and for the Jay-Z diss track 'Ether.'
Swimming (Mac Miller album)
Swimming (2018) is Mac Miller's fifth studio album, released August 3, 2018 on Warner Bros. Records; 13 tracks produced largely with Jon Brion, featuring Thundercat, Dev Hynes, J. Cole and Snoop Dogg, nominated for the 2019 Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Thank You (Mike D album)
Thank You is the 2026 debut solo album by Beastie Boys co-founder Mike D, credited to Mike D 5D with his sons, released August 28, 2026 on Capitol Records, 13 tracks, first Beastie music since 2011.
The Black Album (Jay-Z album)
The Black Album is Jay-Z's eighth studio record, released in 2003. It features 12 producers, including Kanye West and Timbaland, and sold 3.5 million copies.
The Blueprint
The Blueprint, Jay-Z's sixth studio album (September 11, 2001, Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), a soul-sampling East Coast hip hop classic produced largely by Kanye West and Just Blaze, selling 427,000+ first week and entering the National Recording Registry.
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse
The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (Blueprint 2) is Jay-Z's 2002 double album, sequel to The Blueprint; 25 tracks, debuted at No. 1 with 545,000 copies, later condensed as Blueprint 2.1.
The Blueprint 3
The Blueprint 3 is Jay-Z's eleventh studio album, the final Blueprint trilogy installment, released September 8, 2009 on Roc Nation. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 476,000 first-week US sales and features Empire State of Mind and Run This Town.
The Boy Who Played the Harp
The Boy Who Played the Harp is the third studio album by British rapper Dave, released in October 2025 and debuted at Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
The Crossroads (album)
The Crossroads is the third studio album by American rapper Cordae, released through Art@War and Atlantic Records in November 2024, with guests including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Anderson .Paak.
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), Eminem's 12th studio album, released July 12, 2024 on Shady/Aftermath/Interscope; a concept album killing off his Slim Shady alter ego, 19 tracks, debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 281,000 units, his 11th chart-topper.
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia
The Dynasty: Roc La Familia is JAY-Z's fifth studio album, released October 31, 2000 on Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. Originally planned as a label compilation, it introduced Neptunes, Just Blaze, and Kanye West productions and sold 2.6 million.
The FORCE
The FORCE is LL Cool J's fourteenth studio album, released September 6, 2024 on Def Jam, entirely produced by Q-Tip, his first album in 11 years, with guests Nas, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg.
The Great Depression (DMX album)
The Great Depression is DMX's fourth studio album, released October 23, 2001 on Def Jam/Ruff Ryders. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 440,000 first-week sales, his fourth consecutive chart-topper, and was certified Platinum.
The Hunger for More
The Hunger for More is Lloyd Banks' 2004 debut solo album on G-Unit/Interscope, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, sold 433,000 first-week copies, went Platinum, and spawned the top-ten single "On Fire". Also a 1989 Laurence Shames book.
The Incredible True Story
The Incredible True Story is Logic's second studio album, a 2015 Def Jam science-fiction concept album following two space travelers seeking the planet Paradise, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson and production from Logic, 6ix, and DJ Khalil.
The Infamous
The Infamous (1995) is Mobb Deep's second album on Loud/RCA, by Queensbridge duo Havoc and Prodigy. Dark self-produced New York hardcore rap with Shook Ones Pt. II, Q-Tip mixing, and a gold certification.
The Massacre
The Massacre is 50 Cent's second studio album, released March 3, 2005 on Shady/Aftermath/Interscope; 22 tracks executive produced with Dr. Dre and Eminem, selling 1.14 million in four days and topping Billboard's 2005 year-end chart.
The Off-Season
The Off-Season is J. Cole's sixth studio album, released May 14, 2021 on Dreamville/Interscope/Roc Nation; 12 tracks in 39 minutes with guests 21 Savage, Lil Baby, and Morray; Metacritic 76, topped the Billboard 200.
The Score (album)
The Score (1996) is the second and final studio album by the Fugees (Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Pras Michel), recorded at the Booga Basement; it sold 17 million copies, won two 1997 Grammys, and defined alternative hip-hop.