The Evolution of Music from Ol’ Skool to New School. Poetic Lyricists, Singers, Rappers, Songwriters, and Music Producers have created significant soundtracks to our lives. They have made valuable contributions to the history of music and uplifting people’s spirits with their unique styles and lyrical flows.

“Every music has its own soul. It doesn’t matter what style it is, just be true to it.” ~Ray Charles

Music is an escape mechanism and has an impact on social harmony. The soundtracks of our modern life give listeners a sense of hope and can contribute to a socially cohesive community. Rappers, Singers, Songwriters, and Music Producers have a sense of purpose and offer us expressions of their personal identities and everyday life using poetic lyrics and rhythmic beats and musical sounds.

Hip-Hop Rapper Chubb Rock—Treat ‘Em Right

His 1990 album, The One, reached #13 on Billboard’s Top Hip-Hop/R&B chart. Three singles, Treat ‘Em Right, Just the Two of Us, and The Chubbster, made it to #1 on Billboard’s Top Rap Singles chart.

LIZZO—Melissa V. Jefferson—Hip-Hop Rapper, Singer/Songwriter, Actress and Flutist

In 2019, Time named Lizzo as “Entertainer of the Year” for her meteoric rise and contributions to music. She has won 3 Grammy Awards, a Billboard Music Award, a BET Award, and 2 Soul Train Music Awards.

Love, Lizzo—A Documentary (2022). A revealing glimpse into the life of Lizzo, filmed during the recording of her latest album, Special.

“You can wake up and change many things about your appearance, but the inevitability of waking up in your skin is what unifies us.” ~Melissa V. Jefferson aka Lizzo

2013	Lizzobangers album
2015	Big Grrrl Small World album
2016	Coconut Oil album, includes Good as Hell, which is on the movie soundtrack, Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)
2019	Cuz I Love You album, includes Truth Hurts
2021	Rumors featuring Cardi B
2022	Special album, includes About Damn Time

Good Vibrations: Positive Change through Social Music-Making. I have a keen appreciation for the restorative powers of music with compelling rap compositions and hip-hop performances in a variety of settings. Special music productions incorporating rap music can also be creative group therapy for the artists.

Sunflower by Post Malone & Swae Lee

Sunflower, which appeared on the soundtrack to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is featured on Malone’s 3rd studio-album, Hollywood’s Bleeding (2019). The Swae Lee-assisted track is now certified 17X-Platinum, making it the biggest single of his era.

Mattel’s Karma World Doll with a Microphone

Karma’s World Doll with Microphone Accessory, Karma Grant 8.7-inch. Shout out to Ludacris for his Instagram Post.

“Hip-hop culture is probably one of the most powerful things to come out of America in a long time—everything from the music to the art to the dance to the language.” ~ William J. Adams, Jr. aka Will.i.am

Will.i.am’s album, #Willpower

“My son loves lots of hip hop and introduced me to a lot of things that I didn’t understand about it.” ~Quincy Jones, Music Producer

“It’s young Black urban males with a lot of energy and expressing the conditions of their life in a very poetic way. It’s a very dramatic way, a very theatrical way, and it is very powerful stuff.” ~Mr. Quincy Jones, Musician, Conductor, Record Producer, Composer, Arranger, Film & Television Producer

“The hardest thing—for not only an artist but for anybody to do — is look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge, you know, their own flaws and fears and imperfections and put them out there in the open for people to relate to it.” ~Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar’s album, DAMN (2017)

Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg: NFL 2022 Halftime Show

NFL 2022 Halftime Show (YouTube Video)

The Superbowl is the biggest stage in entertainment. Here’s the Playlist for the Halftime Lineup (34 songs) featuring Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.

“The secret to my longevity is that I’m a perfectionist.” ~Dr. Dre

“When the ideas are coming, I don’t stop until the ideas stop because that train doesn’t come along all the time.” ~Dr. Dre

The Vibe History of Hip Hop

Like hip hop, this book is about the intense kind of aspiration that comes from having little. It’s about holding and rhyming into a microphone or mixing and scratching. Art and mystery and metaphor. The singularity of voice. The magnificence of ingenious sampling. The glory of a beat.

Nuthin But A G’Thang by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg

Whoop! Whoop! Snoop Dogg now owns Death Row Records

Browse Death Row Records Official Storefront on Amazon

This site has an affiliate marketing relationship with advertisements. I may receive a small referral fee or commission if you sign up for services or purchase a product. This allows me to continue to create content.

The Motherlode: 100+ Women Who Made Hip-Hop (2021)

The Motherlode highlights women who have shaped the power, scope, and reach of rap music, including pioneers like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt-n-Pepa, Da Brat, Roxanne Shanté, game changers like Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliott, and current reigning queens like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Lizzo—as well as everyone who came before, after, and in between. Some of these women were respected but not widely celebrated. Some are impossible not to know.

This book profiles these women, their musical and career breakthroughs, and the ways in which they each helped change the culture of rap.

Lauryn Hill—Rapper, Singer & Songwriter

Lauryn is credited for breaking barriers for female rappers, popularizing melodic rapping, and for bringing hip hop and neo soul to popular music. She is known for being a member of the Fugees, and for her 1998 solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time. She collaborated with Nas on “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) and composed “A Rose Is Still a Rose” for Aretha Franklin.

In 2015, Billboard ranked her 7^th on their “10 Best Rappers of All Time,” with Lauryn being the only woman on the list.

Everything is Everything by Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill: MTV Unplugged No 2.0

Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (16 songs)

The Very Best of the Fugees

Lauryn Hill T-Shirt—Everything Is Everything

Sterling Silver Balinese Beaded Hoop Earrings

Run-D.M.C.

The group was founded by Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell. They are regarded as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop culture. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and Public Enemy, Run-DMC pioneered New School Hip Hop music. They were the first hip-hop group to achieve a Gold record with their Run-D.M.C. album in 1984. It was followed by King of Rock (1985), the 1^st Multi-Platinum hip hop record.

In the mid-1980s, Run-DMC were featured in the hip-hop film, Krush Groove, a fictionalized re-telling of Russell Simmons’ rise as a hip-hop entrepreneur and his struggles to get his own label, Def Jam Recordings, off the ground.

My Adidas was released in 1986. The song was created by Run-D.M.C. as a love letter to adidas. The track was a part of the group’s (1986) Raising Hell LP. It shined a light on the company to a wide audience and gave the German company urban credibility. My Adidas led to a partnership with adidas that resulted in footwear and apparel.

adidas Originals Men’s Superstar Sneaker Shoes

Run-D.M.C.’s following albums were: Tougher Than Leather (1988), Back from Hell (1990), Down with the King (1993), and Crown Royal (2001).

Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC

In 2018, Raising Hell was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.”

Raising Hell: The Reign, Ruin, and Redemption of Run-D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay

Run-DMC’s cover of Walk This Way, featuring Aerosmith, charted higher than the group’s original version, peaking at #4. It became one of the best-known songs in both hip hop and rock. Run-DMC was the first hip hop group to have their music videos broadcast on MTV.

Walk This Way: Run-DMC, Aerosmith, and the Song that Changed American Music

In 1986, the music world was irrevocably changed when Run-DMC covered Aerosmith’s hit “Walk This Way” in the first rock-hip hop collaboration. Others had tried melding styles. This was different, as a pair of iconic arena rockers and the young kings of hip hop shared a studio and started a revolution. The result: Something totally new and instantly popular. Most importantly, Walk This Way would be the first rap song to be played on mainstream rock radio.

Kangol hat

Manology: Secrets of Your Man’s Mind Revealed by Tyrese Gibson & Rev Run

The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin

Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years of the Last Great Record Label

Def Jam celebrates a label that defined hip-hop and whose impact extends beyond its incredible roster of recording artists to all areas of culture–fashion, lifestyle, cinema, art–impacting the music business and pop culture forever.

In 1984, Def Jam introduced a new kind of music and lifestyle–hip-hop–through aspiring record producer and punk-rocker Rick Rubin and party promoter/artist manager Russell Simmons. It has become the sound of young America, akin to Motown in the sixties.

Rap Snacks—Co-Founder Master P; Brand Ambassador Snoop Dogg

Chips and Puffs, Popcorn, Lemonades, Noodles, and more available on Amazon.

O.G. Bar-B-Que Cheddar Snoop Dogg Potato Chips

Hip Hop is the most Popular Music Genre in America today. Poetic Lyricists communicating everyday life issues and writing songs about rights and wrongs. Rappers continue to tell stories from real-world experiences from the past and present. Many represent positivity and love. Some are compelled to include miscarriages of justice in their lyrics.

Wu-Tang Clan—a New York Hip-Hop Group

Wu-Tang—Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game. R.Z.A., G.Z.A., Ol’ Dirty B, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna make up Wu-Tang.

Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan

In the summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the slums of Staten Island and took the hip-hop world by storm. Their legacy spanned over a decade, garnering fans worldwide.

Enter The Wu-Gang 36 Chambers album (1993)

Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu-Tang Forever album (1997)

Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men—Docuseries looks back on the group’s career

The Wu-Tang Manual

The Wu-Tang Manual is the definitive guide to the essence of Wu, one of the most innovative hip-hop groups of all time.

The Tao of Wu

The RZA, founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, imparts the lessons he’s learned on his journey from the Staten Island projects to international superstardom.

Method Men’s Body Wash, Juniper + Sage, 6 Count

HipHop Hawaii album (29 songs, 2010)

“Music is genuine if an artist learns something about him or herself in the process. Music lends structure to fractured lives. Artists must navigate between carefully calibrated narratives.” ~Ben Harbert, Music Professor at Georgetown University

Live Your Life—A Story by Rapper T. I. feat. Rihanna

T.I.’s Paper Trail album

“What you get out of something is what you put into it.” Rapper T. I.

VIBE Hip Hop Divas

The dramatic rise of women to the top of the hip hop industry has never been chronicled before. The revolution was decades in the making, with the female pioneers fighting for a place in the hip hop boy’s club, confronting sexist attitudes, and grabbing their piece of the commercial pie while taking hip hop to new creative heights.

The History of Hip Hop

“If you listen, I’ll tell you how I feel. Expressing emotion through the songwriting process.” ~C. M. Wilson

Wrote My Way Out—Aloe Blacc, Nas, Dave East & Lin-Manuel Miranda

The Hamilton Mixtape (23 songs)

Aloe Blacc—All Love Everything (13 songs, 2020)

Dave East—Book of Davis (17 songs, 2022) featuring Buda and Grandz & DJ Drama

The Story of Lin-Manuel Miranda

“Lin-Manuel Miranda stalked an impulse—an inspiration—for six years. He is, among many things, a master editor as well as a monster with the pen. Lin’s a guy who can tell you about failure. He’ll write you a song about it and that song will make you weep. And once the world was introduced to his passion and craftsmanship, he’s a guy who can tell you all about success, too.” ~Leslie L. Odom, Jr.

Rapper Nas

“I pledge allegiance to the fair and balanced truth. Not the biased truth. Not the liest truth. But the highest truth. … If the truth is told, the youth can grow.” ~Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones aka Nas

Nas: Time is Illmatic

The story behind Nas’s groundbreaking debut album, and the early life of one of the most talented rappers. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keyes, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes

Nas’s Illmatic is highly revered as one of the best debut rap albums of all time.

If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)—Nas feat. Lauryn Hill

Melanin Pro Black Pride Afrocentric Apparel Available on Amazon USA

“The biggest break is the one you will give yourself by choosing to believe in your vision and what you love and the gifts you have to offer the waiting world.” ~Leslie L. Odom, Jr.

Stevie Wonder released a new song in 2020 with the launch of his new label, So What the Fuss Records.

Can’t Put It in the Hands of Fate features Rapsody, Cordae, Chika, and Busta Rhymes.

Rapper Rapsody—Marlanna Evans

“To me, it’s about culture more so than money or anything. I make music for the people of the culture we’re in…that comes first. If you touch the people first, the rest just falls into place. That’s what it means to me, just preserving and respecting the culture.” ~Marlanna Evans aka Rapsody

Rapsody is known for her intricate rhyme patterns, metaphors, and wordplay. Recognized from the start as a rapper with massive skills, she’s worked with some of the game’s most revered talents, from producer 9th Wonder to DJ Premier to Kendrick Lamar. She cites Jay-Z, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, and MC Lyte as the biggest influences on her music. She signed to Jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation in 2016. Her debut album, Laila’s Wisdom, was released in 2017, and received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.

Laila’s Wisdom by Rapsody

Rapsody’s The Idea of Beautiful (2012)

Rapsody’s Beauty and the Beast album (2014)

Rapsody’s album, E ve (2019)

14K Yellow Gold Beaded Oval Hoop Earrings

Rapper Lil Wayne—Dwayne M. Carter Jr.

Lil Wayne earned his First-Ever Diamond Plaque in December, 2022. His Lollipop song reached 10X Multi-Platinum @liltunechi

“My first joint to go diamond wowwww!!! Thank you to all my fans and supporters. I Ain’t Sh*t Without Y’all!!! #LongLiveStaticMajor.” ~Lil Wayne

Lollipop by Lil Wayne feat. Static Major

Tha Carter album (2004)

Tha Carter II album (2005)

Tha Carter III album (2008), includes Lollipop

Tha Carter IV album (2011)

Tha Carter V album (2018)

Lil Wayne: Bling—A Documentary (2018). Releasing his first solo album at just 15, Lil Wayne has shot through the ranks of the hip-hop scene. This story is about a man who deems himself as the heart and soul of music.

Lil Wayne: Rap Sheet—A Documentary (2018). This film takes an intimate look into the life of Lil Wayne, including concerts and interviews.

In 2020, Lil Wayne appeared on The Mask Singer as the Robot in Season 3.

Drake—Canadian Rapper, Singer & Songwriter

“When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” ~Aubrey Drake Graham aka Drake

Hotline Bling by Drake

“Nobody understood what it was like to be Black and Jewish… being different from everyone else just made me a lot stronger.” ~Aubrey Drake Graham aka Drake

“You ain’t the only one that’s tryna be the only one.” ~Aubrey Drake Graham aka Drake

“Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” ~Aubrey Drake Graham aka Drake

Drake’s Thank Me Later album (2010)

Drake’s Take Care album (2011)

Drake’s Nothing Was the Same (2013)

Drake’s Views album (2016)

Drake’s Scorpion album (2018)

Drake’s Club Paradise album (2022)

Drake’s Her Loss album with 21 Savage (2022)

The Art of Songwriting

What most songwriting guides won’t tell you is that success as a songwriter—however you define it—is as much about how you live your life and the way you see the world as it is about your skill with words and music.

EMPIRE

EMPIRE Television Series—6 Seasons from 2015 to 2020 available on Amazon. The show centers on the Fictional Hip-Hop Music company, Empire Entertainment, and the drama among the founders’ family as they build a music empire and end up fighting for control of it. The Lyon family members are portrayed by Terrence Howard (Hip Hop Mogul Lucious Lyon), Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon), Bryshere Y. Gray (Rapper Hakeem), Jussie Smollett (R&B Singer-Songwriter Jamal), and Trai Byers (CFO Andre), along with many guest appearances.

Empire’s music soundtrack for the 1^st season (18 songs)

Soundtrack from Season 2 (18 songs)

Soundtrack from Season 3 (14 songs)

Soundtracks from Season 4

Soundtracks from Season 5

Soundtracks from Season 6

Quotes by Mr. James Brown

“I want you all to know that you can do anything you want in life. Don’t let nobody tell you anything different, you understand… If you want it, you gotta learn it. Then you gotta build it and then we can earn it. That’s the money, and that’s the respect now.” Mr. James Brown

“Don’t let nobody take care of your business better than you” ~Mr. James Brown

Remy Ma

Conceited (There’s Something About Remy)

There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story

Remy Ma: From the Grind to the Glamour

Fat Joe & Remy Ma Plata O Plomo

Sterling Silver Round Snuggable Huggie Hoop Earrings

Bell Biv DeVoe—Ricky Bell, Mike Bivins & Ronnie DeVoe

BBD is best known for their debut album featuring Poison and Do Me!. Both reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990, achieving 4X Platinum.

In 1993, the Hootie Mack album was released, certified Gold.

Their compilation album, Bell Biv DeVoe Greatest Hits was released in 2000.

BBD’s (2017) Three Stripes album features Doug E. Fresh, SWV & Boyz II Men

Run by BBD

“Set your business plan to win. Raise the bar or you’re not going to be prepared. You need to think that what you’re doing will make you $100 million.” ~Kaseem Dean aka Swizz Beatz

Swizz Beatz album, One Man Band Man (2007)

Hip Hop Uncovered

This documentary reveals how America’s streets shaped hip hop culture into music’s most dominant genre.

Chance the Rapper—Chancelor J. Bennett

YAH Know by Chance the Rapper feat. King Promise

YAH Know single MP3 download (2022)

Coloring Book Mixtape (2016)

The Big Day album (2019)

2-Pack Red & Black Caps

Ice-T: Rapper & Actor

“A good emcee will rhyme a lot of different ways. Don’t limit yourself.” Tracy L. Marrow aka Ice-T

“I’m a big fan of all styles, even Biggie and Wu-Tang, but I gotta do my thing.” Ice-T

“If you’re really a rapper, you can’t stop rapping.” Ice-T

Ice-T’s album, Rhyme Pays (1987)

Ice-T: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption—From South Central to Hollywood

Ice-T & Spike: Split Decisions: Life Stories

Teddy Riley

“At 14, 15, I’m making records for a bunch of rappers: Spoonie Gee, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane. They would come up to my place and I would cook up a beat… You gotta keep people on the dance floor. That was my formula, R&B, fusion, pop, jazz. Put it all together and you get new jack swing.” ~Teddy Riley

“Riley created a style of music. That’s how influential TR was. New jack swing was important because it merged hip-hop music and R&B.” ~Dre Lyon

“New jack swing was energetic and just commanding you to enjoy yourself when it comes on. Forget everything, just have a good time.” ~Rapper A-Plus, Wreckx-n-Effect

Heavy D & The Boyz: Now That We Found Love

Produced by Teddy Riley

Best of Heavy D & The Boyz

Heavy D & The Boyz: Peaceful Journey

The Sugarhill Gang

Michael “Wonder Mike” Wright, Henry “Big Bank Hank” Jackson, and Guy “Master Gee” O’Brien.

Rapper’s Delight is a 1979 hip-hop track by the Sugarhill Gang, produced by Sylvia Robinson. It was preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2011 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” In 2014, the record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Rapper’s Delight: The Best of the Sugarhill Gang

The Showdown: The Sugarhill Gang vs. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

Hip Hop 101 featuring 100 songs from Various Artists

Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow: The Breaks

Me, Myself & I—G-Eazy & Bebe Rexha

G-Eazy’s When It’s Dark Out album (17 songs)

The Music Producer’s Guide To Polymeter and Polyrhythm

If you’re stuck in a rhythmic rut, The Music Producer’s Guide will help you break out of it. Designed particularly with electronic music producers in mind, this book will provide you with the knowledge and skills to apply these effective, yet under-utilized techniques to your own work.

Moog Grandmother Dark Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer and Step Sequencer

Rick Ross

“How many people you bless is how you measure success.” ~Rick Ross

Rick Ro$$’s album, Teflon Don (2010)

Just Blaze—Justin G. Smith

Blaze gained recognition as a record producer for Rock-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s. He rose to prominence as Jay-Z’s go-to producer. Blaze was honored in his hometown of Paterson with a key to the city in recognition of his “outstanding cultural contribution” to the city.

Blaze produced Beyoncé’s Freedom song featuring Kendrick Lamar) in 2016. He Produced Rick Ross’s Big Tyme song featuring Swizz Beatz in 2019. He produced Eminem’s No Love song for his Recovery album in 2010.

Big Tyme—Rick Ross feat. Swizz Beatz

Rick Ross’s Port of Miami 2 album (15 songs, 2019)

25 of the Best Just Blaze Beats by TDF Everything

Waldorf Iridium Keyboard 49-Key Synthesizer

Missy Elliott—Rapper, Singer, Songwriter & Record Producer

Missy has been referred to as the “Queen of Rap.” Missy embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the mid-90s. She later became a member of the Swing Mob collective along with longtime friend Timbaland. She launched her solo career in 1997 with her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly.

Missy established an international career with hits including Ger Ur Freak On, One Minute Man, 4 My People, Gossip Folks, and Work It, which won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance. According to Billboard, in 2017, she was the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history.

Missy became the First Female Rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2020, Billboard ranked her at #5 on the 100 Greatest Music Video Artists of All Time. In 2021, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Missy Elliott’s Supa Dupa Fly album (1997)

Iconology by Missy Elliott

Work It by Missy Elliott

NINE WEST Women’s Silver Hoop Earrings

Teddy Riley—Music Producer, Singer, & Songwriter

Riley is credited with creating the New Jack Swing era. He fused hip hop and R&B in his production work with Heavy D & the Boyz, Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat, Samantha Mumba, Doug E. Fresh, Today, Hi-Five, Men of Vizion, Profyle, etc. He speared the groups: Guy and Blackstreet. He influenced gospel and R&B music, which became more open to using rap and sound effects in their recordings.

In 1991, Riley built Future Recording Studios in Virginia Beach. Among the first records produced was Wreckx-n-Effect’s Rump Shaker song, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

DID YOU KNOW? Pharrell Williams wrote Riley’s Rap for the song.

Wreckx-n-Effect (1992) Rump Shaker

“With its signature sultry saxophone rift, this 90s New Jack-inspired R&B hit is still one of my favorites, testament to the concept of Teddy’s Midas Touch.” ~Ian Gooding, A Fan

The Neptunes—Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo

Pharrell and Chad met at a summer camp for the school of the Gifted and Talented in Virginia Beach, where Pharrell played drums and Chad played tenor saxophone. Upon entering a local talent contest in 1992 as the Neptunes, they were discovered by Teddy Riley, whose studio was close to Pharrell’s school. They also worked with Riley’s group Blackstreet, co-writing the single, Tonight’s the Night.

In 1998, the Neptunes produced New York City-based rapper Noreaga’s single Superthug.

They also produced Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s 1999 single Got Your Money featuring singer Kelis, for whom they would entirely produce her debut studio album, Kaleidoscope (1999), and her 2001 album Wanderland.

In 2000, the Neptunes produced Jay-Z’s single I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) from his 5th studio album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, and Mystikal’s Shake Ya Ass.

In 2001, N.E.R.D. released their debut studio album, In Search of…, featuring production from the Neptunes. In the same year, the Neptunes gained their first worldwide hit with Britney Spears’ single, I’m a Slave 4 U.

The Neptunes wrote and produced NSYNC’s final single, Girlfriend, then wrote and produced most of co-lead singer Justin Timberlake’s debut solo album, Justified (2002), including lead singles Like I Love You, Rock Your Body, and Señorita.

In 2003, the Neptunes released a compilation album, Clones, featuring songs and remixes from various Star Trak artists. They won Producer of the Year at the 2004 Grammy Awards.

The Neptunes won Best Rap Song for Ludacris’ Money Maker. The single became Ludacris’ #1 song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, while also topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Tracks charts. The Neptunes won Producer of the Decade in 2009.

One of the hallmarks of being a super producer is having an unmistakable sound. And even as their beats ran the charts, a Neptunes beat always sounded like a Neptune beat. They didn’t cross over to go pop. They forced pop to cross over into hip hop, and that was huge.

“That’s why the Neptunes, to me, are the first superstar producers because they started out doing hip hop. They worked with every kind of artist, every genre, and they were able to still go in there and make it distinctly Neptunes.” ~Mimi Valdés

“At one point, they had…I think it was 60% of all music that was being played on the radio was produced by them.” ~Mad Skills

Ludacris: Rapper & Actor

Money Maker by Ludacris feat. Pharrell

Ludacris’ Release Therapy album (14 songs, 2006)

Ludacris’ Ludaversal deluxe edition album

Music from The Fast and The Furious (55 songs) featuring Various Artists

The Fast & Furious 9-Movie Collection

LEGO Technic Dom’s Dodge Charger

Tyrese Gibson—Singer & Actor

Tyrese’s Alter Ego album featuring Lil’ Jon, Method Man, Too $hort, Snoop Dogg, Manny Fresh, Kurupt, David Banner, Lil Scrappy, and more.

I Like Them Girls by Tyrese

Tyrese plays Roman Pearce in the Fast & Furious film series.

Fast & Furious: The Ultimate Ride Collection

Fast & Furious Video Games for Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch available on Amazon.

How to Get Out of Your Own Way by Tyrese Gibson

“What came out of Virginia is creativity, a new way of music being heard, and it was the birth of what rhythm is today.” ~Timbaland, Producer, Rapper

Grindin’ by Clipse featuring Pharrell Williams

Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock—New York Hip Hop Duo

The duo is known for being pioneers of the crossover success that rap music would have in the popular music mainstream. DJ E-Z Rock died on April 27, 2014, at age 46 after a diabetic seizure.

It Takes Two—(Songwriters: James Brown & Robert Ginyard; Producers Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock, and William Hamilton). The album It Takes 2 was released in 1988, The Incredible Base was released in 1989, and The Break of Dawn was released in 1994.

It Takes Two has been used in films: Iron Man 2, Love & Basketball, Bumblebee, The Proposal, Sisters, The Disaster Artist, and Spies in Disguise. The song, along with Think (About It), was featured in the 2004 video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The song has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Sony Walkman Hi-Res 64GB MP3 Player

Give your music collection the love it deserves with the incredible high-quality audio of the ZX507 Walkman Advanced internals meet the latest technology for a uniquely modern listening experience Connect to streaming services to download your favorite tracks or enjoy your own music collection with rich vinyl-quality audio

Fat Joe—The Book of Jose: A Memoir (2022)

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum–selling artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe pulls back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona in this gritty, intimate memoir about growing up in the South Bronx and finding his voice through music.

He gravitates toward the music that gives him both a voice to tell the stories of his young life and the tools he needs to create a new one. The challenges never stop—but neither does Joe.

Rapper Daddy Yankee

“I’m representing for Latinos all over the world. … This ain’t a one-hit-wonder thing. It’s just the beginning. And it’s a special moment for me and my culture.” ~Ramon Luis Ayala Rodriguez aka Daddy Yankee

Daddy Yankee’s album, Barrio Fino (2004)

The Come Up is an exhilarating behind-the-scenes account of how hip-hop came to rule the world—and an essential contribution to music history.

The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop (2022)

The music that would come to be known as hip-hop was born at a party in the Bronx in the summer of 1973. Now, 50 years later, it’s the most popular music genre in America. New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Abrams offers the most comprehensive account so far of hip-hop’s rise, a multi-decade chronicle told in the voices of the people who made it happen.

“I just love cars. I’ve been like that since I was a kid. It’s an infatuation because we grew up poor. Cars was something we were always trying to get.” ~Bryan C. Brooks aka Birdman

Big Tymers’ album, Hood Rich (2002)

LEGO Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 Builder Kit

An engaging builder set with a stunning display piece to admire.

Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo

JLo is considered a triple threat entertainer. She was a dancer who became an actress, starring in the Selena movie (1997). She ventured into the music industry with her debut album, On the 6 (1999). She became a global icon and is considered the most influential Hispanic entertainer in North America.

J.Lo organized her stage performance for the Super Bowl LIV Pepsi Halftime Show in 2020.

“We have to sing our message.” ~Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo

Jenny from the Block

“My idea of success is always evolving, always getting a little outside your comfort zone and doing something different.” Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo

She co-produced the movie, Hustlers, starring Constance Wu, J.Lo, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, and Cardi B. The Hustlers movie soundtrack features various rappers and singers.

Her song, All I Have, features Rapper L.L. Cool J

Jennifer Lopez Enduring Glow Eau De Parfum Spray, Iconic Shaped Gold Metalized Bottle

JLO BEAUTY Products available on Amazon

Large Bamboo Hoop Earrings

LL Cool J: Rapper & Actor

LL Cool J: Coke Zero Countdown Concert (2014)

LL Cool J “Around the Way Girl” (1990) featured on the Mama Said Knock You Out album

MCM ULTRA Perfume Spray For Women

Hit ‘Em High—the Monstar’s Anthem from Michael Jordan’s Space Jam movie

B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man. Space Jam soundtrack (1996)

Nike Air Jordan sneakers available on Amazon

Space Jam: A New Legacy—from Lebron James Space Jam movie soundtrack (2021)

Nike Lebron Basketball shoes available on Amazon

Bad Bunny—Puerto Rican Rapper & Singer—Benito A. M. Ocasio

Bad Bunny is one of Spotify’s most-streamed artists in the U.S. He has been widely credited with raising the profile of Spanish language music. He started writing and creating his own interpretations at the age of 14. In 2013, he began to publish his songs through SoundCloud. Though primarily a trap and reggaeton artist, his songs also include influence from soul, pop, and R&B.

His breakthrough came in 2018 with his feature on Cardi B’s hit song, I Like It, and his song Mia featuring Drake. He was a guest performer at the 2020 SuperBowl LIV Halftime Show headlined by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

Bad Bunny wrote his single, De Museo, for the Fast & Furious 9 movie: The Fast Saga.

Bad Bunny’s debut album, 100pre (2018)

2019 collaborative album, Oasis, with J Balvin

His 2^nd solo album, YHLQMDLG in 2020 became the highest charting all-Spanish album.

The 3^rd album, Las que no iban a salir was released in 2020.

His 4^th album, El Último Tour Del Mundo, combines his reggaeton and Latin trap sound.

His 5^th album, Un Verano Sin Ti, was released in 2022, becoming his second #1 album.

Johnny Kemp—Bahamian Singer/Songwriter, Record Producer

Just Got Paid

When the song was first offered to him in the mid-80s, Kemp listened to it, added his own lyrics to the melody, and Just Got Paid was born. Kemp died in 2015 at age 55. He had been a passenger on a cruise ship that docked in Montego Bay. He was found dead. The police concluded that he was walking on some rocks, lost his balance, fell, hit his head, and then drowned.

PHILIPS Bluetooth Stereo System

Nicki Minaj: Queen of Rap—A Documentary (2022)

Nicki is one of the best-selling music artists with more than 100 million records sold worldwide. She is known for her animated rapping style and unique flow. She is described as one of the most influential rappers of all time.

On Friday, November 18, 2022, Nicki Minaj dropped new Trilingual World Cup Song with Maluma & Myriam Fares. The song, titled Tukoh Taka is groundbreaking and marks the first trilingual official World Cup tune, as Nicki raps in English and Spanish, Maluma sings in Spanish, and Myriam sings in Arabic.

Nicki Minaj Performs a Medley of Hits at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards

Pink Friday album (2010), includes Super Bass

Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)

The Pinkprint (2014), includes Anaconda

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume Spray—More Nicki Minaj Fragrances on Amazon

Queen (2018)

Beam Me Up Scotty (2021) featuring Drake, Lil Wayne, Skillibeng, G Herbo, Ptaf, Gucci Mane, Rocko, Bobby V & F1JO

14K White Gold Diamond-Cut Hoop Earrings (2mm Tube)

Rap and Hip Hop Culture

This book highlights key performers, producers, and voices in the rap and hip hop movements, using their stories to illuminate the underlying issues of racism, poverty, prejudice, and artistic freedom that are part of rap and hip hop’s ongoing legacy.

Goodie Mob—Hip-Hop Group

Cameron “Big Gipp” Gipp, CeeLo Green, Willie “Khujo” Knighton, Jr., and Robert “T-Mo” Barnett. CeeLo left the group to pursue a solo career.

Soul Food by Goodie Mob

Goodie Mob’s Soul Food album (1995)

2^nd album, Still Standing (1998)

3^rd album, World Party (1999) features Big Boi & TLC

Goodie Mob’s Survival Kit album (2020) feat. Chuck D, andre 3000 & Big Boi

In Da Wind by Trick Daddy feat. CeeLo Green & Big Boi

Trick Daddy’s Thug Holiday album

The Best of Cee-Lo Green—The Soul Machine

Big Boi’s Boomiverse album (2017)

Hip Hop Immortals

This documentary is about the lifestyle and its psychology and why we connect Beats, Sneakers, Jewelry, Girls, and Money. Featuring Jam Master Jay, Kid Capri, Doug E. Fresh and more.

Jam Master Jay

Two Turntables and a Microphone—The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay of the hip-hop group RUN DMC.

D.J. Jazzy Jeff—The Very Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

JENSEN 3-Speed Stereo Turntable with CD System, Cassette, and AM/FM Stereo Radio

The Music of Mary J. Blige: Real Love, No Drama (2016)

Mary J. Blige is an icon who represents the political consciousness of hip hop and the historical promise of soul. She is an everywoman, celebrated by Oprah Winfrey and beloved by pop music fans of all ages and races. Real Love, No Drama: The Music of Mary J. Blige tells the story of one of the most important artists in pop music history.

Family Affair by Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Music: No More Drama (2001) featuring Family Affair

Mary J. Blige: Music As Therapy

Official Mary J. Blige No More Drama Tee T-Shirt

Tube Classic Polished Hoop Earrings—14K Gold or White Gold

Rapper T-Bone

Bone-Appetit: Servin’ Up tha Hits (2007/2019)

The Boneyard Box Set (45 songs, 2019)

The Last Street Preacha (2001/2019)

History of a Hoodlum

The Modern Rhyming Dictionary: How to Write Lyrics: A Practical Guide to Lyric Writing for Songwriters and Poets

Rapper Nelly

“Two is not a winner, and three nobody remembers. What does it take to be number one?”~Nelly

Country Grammar by Nelly

Nelly’s Country Grammar album (17 songs, 2000)

Nelly’s Nellyville album

The Best of Nelly

Vanilla Ice

Ice Ice Baby

Vanilla Ice: To The Extreme (15 songs, 1990)

Bose Wave Music System IV

Lifelike, room-filling sound with breakthrough waveguide technology
Fresh, updated design
CD/MP3 CD player; advanced AM/FM tuner; text display of song information

Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop & Rap

Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio

Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise album (19 songs, 1995)

Coolio (Artis Leon Ivey Jr. 1963-2022): Biography of a Gangsta Paradise an American Rapper, Actor, Record Producer and a Grammy Award Winner

Queen Latifah—Dana Owens: Rapper, Singer, Actress

At 19, she was the first female solo rapper to have a major record deal. She is a contralto and has the ability to rap and sing. Her biggest influences were EPMD, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and Run DMC. In 2006, she became the first Female Hip-Hop Recording Artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Queen Latifah’s Music

Persona album (2009)

Trav’lin’ Light album (2007)

The Dana Owens album (2004)

Order in the Court album (1998)

Black Reign (1993)

Nature of a Sista (1991)

All Hail the Queen (1989)

Living Single in a 90’s Kinda World

Beauty Shop starring Queen Latifah (2005), a spin-off of the Barbershop film franchise. Queen Latifah portrays Gina.

Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) starring Ice Cube & Queen Latifah

Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J

Just Wright starring Queen Latifah and Common

Queen Latifah was chosen as a Narrator for the Video Game, Sayonara Wild Hearts.

Queen Latifah starred in the Girls Trip movie, along with Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish. It follows a group of four friends who go to New Orleans to attend the Essence Music Festival. Celebrity cameos include Diddy, Ne-Yo, Maxwell, and New Edition performing If It Isn’t Love.

Queen of Hearts by Queen Latifah Perfume Spray

Guess Smooth and Textured Wire Silver Hoop Earrings

Queens of Hip Hop

Queen Latifah (Dana Owens)—Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman. At 19, she was the first female solo rapper to have a major record deal. Four years later, she had become a top television actress and movie star. She earned a Grammy, started a record label, and became the president of her own company.

Keeping it real and making no excuses, Queen Latifah shares her truth about what’s important in life.

14K Yellow Gold Small Hoop Earrings

How to Write Better Songs: Songwriting Secrets from Award-Winning Songwriters

Start Your Music Business: How to Earn Royalties, Own Your Music, Sample Music, Protect Your Name & Structure Your Music Business (Music Law Series)

The G.O.A.T. Samples: Roots of Hip Hop Music

This book highlights several Legendary Hip Hop Producers including DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Sean “Puffy” Combs and the Hitmen, RZA, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, The Bomb Squad, Easy Mo Bee, DJ Quik, DJ U Neek, J.Dilla, Havoc, The Trackmasters, Kanye West and Just Blaze and many others.The Book also includes songs from Every Region and Era in Hip Hop History. The Rap tracks range from the 1970’s through 2019.

Many Rap Solo Artist and Groups made the Book including Run DMC, Eric B & Rakim, Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, KRS-One, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Biz Markie, EPMD, Ice-T, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, NaS, Tribe Called Quest, DMX, LL Cool J, N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, and Outkast.

Others include…..Ice Cube, Geto Boys, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Kool G Rap, Redman, Warren G, Three 6 Mafia, Coolio, Fugees, Too Short, Common, Beanie Sigel, Master P, Wu Tang Clan, Salt N Pepa, The Lox, Gangstarr, Cypress Hill, MC Lyte, Lil Kim, Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown, Lil’ Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, 50 Cent, Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, Nipsey Hussle, Rick Ross, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, J. Cole and many more.

Cardi B—Rapper & Songwriter

Cardi B’s first studio album, Invasion of Privacy, was primarily a hip-hop record, comprising elements of trap, Latin Music, and R&B.

Cardi B: The Hustle—A Documentary (2022). She is one of the most famous artists of the decade and despite being a “regula degula schmegula” girl from the Bronx, she became one of the most influential female artists. She knew she would have to work hard to reach her dreams.

Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin performed at the 2018 American Music Awards

Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy album (2018) includes I Like It and Bodak Yellow

Cardi B’s Mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1 (2016)—Vol. 2 (2017)

18K Yellow Gold Twisted Hoop Earrings

Reebok Women’s Cardi B V2 Sneakers

More Reebok Women’s Cardi B Sneakers available on Amazon

NWA & Easy-E: Kings of Compton

N.W.A.—N*az Wit Attitudes**

Initially founded in 1987, the group consisted of Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube. Additional members, D.J. Yella and MC Ren joined later that year and collectively put Compton on the map.

N.W.A. was monumental in highlighting the brutalities of living in the hood and putting the West Coast on the hip-hop map. In 2016, N.W.A. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton album

Swag Point N.W.A. T-Shirts

Ice Cube: Rapper and Actor

The Barbershop Film Series

Features many talented artists, actors, and actresses

Barbershop (2002) starring Ice Cube

Soundtrack from the Barbershop movie features Fabolous, Diddy, Ginuwine, Glenn Lewis, Amel Larrieux, Ghostface Killah, 3LW, B2K, Jhene, Lil’ Fizz, Best Man, Jordan Brown, Collin, and Lil Kano.

Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) starring Ice Cube & Queen Latifah

Soundtrack from Barbershop 2 features Mary J. Blige, Eve, Sleepy Brown, Outkast, Mya, Chingy, Keyshia Cole, G-Unit, Olivia, Sean Paul, Floetry, Mos Def, D12, Morgan Smith, 3LW, Spitfiya, Anthony Hamilton, Avant & KeKe Wyatt

Beauty Shop starring Queen Latifah (2005), a spin-off of the Barbershop film franchise. Queen Latifah portrays Gina.

Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016) starring Ice Cube

Ice Cube starred in and co-wrote the 1995 film, Friday. He also starred in and wrote its sequels, Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002). He was also a Producer on the Friday movies. He’s fighting for control of the Friday franchise, stating, “It’s My Movie.”

“I’m not [going] to pay for my own stuff, that’s stupid. They need to do the right thing, get it to us, let us turn it into more money and make the fans happy, and people will have a good time with the series. We can do a lot with it.” Ice Cube

Ice Cube’s Friday movie soundtrack

Boyz N the Hood (1991) movie starring Ice Cube & Laurence Fishburne. Directed by John Singleton

Ice Cube’s Greatest Hits featuring various artists (17 songs, 2001), Includes It Was a Good Day

Hip-Hop Poetry: A Little Book of Essential Quotes and Wisdom from the Legendary West Coast Rapper Tupac Shakur

No Diggity: Teddy Riley | Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre & Queen Pen

The Very Best of Blackstreet

Roland GO: PIANO 61-Key Digital Piano Bundle

Includes Roland DP-2 Pedal, Power Supply, Adjustable Stand, Bench, Instructional Book, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

Yamaha YHT-4950U 4K Ultra HD 5.1-Channel Home Theater System Includes: 1 AV receiver, 5 speakers, 1 Sub-Woofer and Speaker wire. Bluetooth for streaming all your favorite music and podcasts.

Browse more of Yamaha’s Audio Gear, Speakers, Sound Bars & More on Amazon.

DJ Khaled

DJ Khaled is one of the recognized social media moguls and record producers.

DJ Khaled: Another Win—A Documentary (2022)

Higher featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend

Nipsey Hussle

Hussle became known for his numerous mixtapes, including his Bullets Ain’t Got No Name series, The Marathon, The Marathon Continues, and Crenshaw. Nipsey created the record label, All Money In. He released his first major project, The Marathon (2010, The Marathon Continues (2011), Crenshaw (2013), and Mailbox Money (2014).

His album, Victory Lap, was released in 2018. It was nominated for the Best Rap album at the 61^st Grammy Awards in 2019. On March 31, 2019, Nipsey was fatally shot outside his Marathon Clothing Store in South Los Angeles.

Victory Lap—Nipsey Hussle feat. Stacy Barthe

The Marathon Continues: A Hood Tale of Nipsey Hussle

BOSS—Hugo Boss Cologne for Men

Dave East

Survival album (20 songs, 2019)—Includes The Marathon Continues feat. Snoop Dogg. Other artists include DJ Premier, J. Black, Nas & The Soul Rebels, Teyana Taylor, Rick Ross & The Dream, Fabolous, Jacquees, Gunna, Mozzy & E-40, Lil Baby, Max B, DJ Clue, Ash Leone, and The Mad Rapper.

Apple Smart Watch Series 7

The largest, most advanced Always-on Retina display yet makes everything you do with your Apple Watch bigger and better. Series 7 is the most durable Apple Watch ever built, with an even more crack-resistant front crystal.

The Perfect Day to Boss Up: A Hustler’s Guide to Building Your Empire by Rick Ross (2021)

Abney’s Proofreading & Editing Services

OutKast

Atlanta-based rapper André 3000 (Dre Benjamin) and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton exploded onto the rap scene with their number one single, “Player’s Ball,” in 1994. OutKast is one of the most influential Rap Duos. Unlike the hardcore gangsta rap popularized at the time, OutKast brought an entirely new sound to the hip-hop movement, combining psychedelia, funk, techno, and jazz.

What is Trap Music?

“The first trap song was Dope Boyz and Trap Niggas. That was really just an ode to my old lifestyle, to what I was doing, and to what the people around me was doing…how we were living.” ~Rapper T.I.

“That’s where you get trap music from. That’s where you get the language of the trap. That’s where you get the ideology of the trap.” Dr. Joycelyn Wilson, Cultural Studies Professor, Georgia Tech

Rapper T.I. aka Tip aka T.I.P.—Clifford J. Harris, Jr.

T.I. is known as one of the pioneers of the hip hop subgenre trap music.

T.I.’s (2003) album, Trap Muzik

T.I.’s (2004) Urban Legend album—Includes the lead single Bring Em Out, which was produced by Swizz Beatz. It became T.I.’s first top ten hit.

T.I.’s (2006) King album

T.I. collaborated with Justin Timberlake for My Love, which proved to be a worldwide hit.

**T.I.’s (2007) T.I. vs. T.I.P. album**

In 2008, T.I. collaborated with Mariah Carey on the I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time remix.

While under house arrest, T.I. began writing lyrics down on paper for his 6^th studio album, Paper Trail. The official lead single was Whatever You Like. It was released in July 2008 and became the most successful single of his career up until that point.

Whatever You Like by T.I.

T.I.’s (2010) No Mercy album
T.I.’s (2012) Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head

T.I.’s (2014) Paperwork featuring various artists

T.I.’s (2018) Dime Trap featuring various artists

T.I.’s (2020) The L.I.B.R.A. featuring various artists

Migos—Southern Rappers Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset

Sadly, Takeoff was shot and killed in Houston, Texas on November 1, 2022. Takeoff was Quavo’s nephew, and Offset is Quavo’s cousin.

Migos’s debut album, Yung Rich Nation (2015)

Migos’s 2^nd album, Culture (2017)

Migos’s 3^rd album, Culture II (2018)

Migos’s 4^th album, Culture III (2021)

Migos Talk Culture III, the Influence of Trap Music, and Starting Trends (ET Online)

Hip Hop Moguls: The Rags to Riches Stories of CEO’s of Rap

3 Kings: Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and Hip Hop’s Multibillion-Dollar Rise

This deeply reported history brilliantly examines the entrepreneurial genius of the first musician tycoons: Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z

Damon Dash—Music Producer

Dash is best known as Co-Founder of Roc-A-Fella along with Jay-Z and Kareem Burke.

“It feels good knowing that other people appreciate you. A lot of us culturally look for appreciation from other cultures, I like receiving appreciation from my culture.” Damon Dash

Blakroc (2021)—A Documentary. BLAKROC is a new music project spearheaded by Hip Hop Mogul, Damon Dash.

Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy aka P Diddy aka Diddy

Sean “Diddy” Combs: A Biography of a Music Mogul—African-American Icons

Diddy’s Opening Monologue at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards

Diddy is a Music Mogul, Record Producer, Record Executive, Rapper & Actor. He was born in NYC and attended Howard University. He became an intern and then worked as a talent director at Uptown Records. He later founded his own record label, Bad Boy Entertainment, as a joint venture with Clive Davis in 1993. His debut album, No Way Out (1997) has been certified 7X platinum. His debut single, Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down, spent 28 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #1. The album produced 4 other singles—I’ll Be Missing You, a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G., It’s All About the Benjamins, Been Around the World, and Victory.

Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down feat. Mase & Biggie

NOTE: Mase went on to become a Preacher.

In 2001, Sean changed his stage name from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy. In June 2001, he ended Bad Boy’s joint venture with Arista Records, gaining full control of Bad Boy, its catalogue, and its roster of artists.

The Saga Continues was released on July 10, 2001, reaching #2 as a Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album. In 2005, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2005 by Time magazine. In 2021, he was among the inaugural inductees into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. In June 2022, he received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

**Tribute to Notorious B.I.G.—I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy feat. Faith Hill & 112**

PHILIPS FX10 Bluetooth Stereo System for Home with CD Player, MP3, USB, FM Radio, Bass Reflex Speaker, 230 W, Remote Control Included

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (Young Adult Edition): A Hip-Hop History (2021)

Basketball—Lil’ Bow Wow featuring Jermaine Dupri

“They’re playing basketball; we love that basketball.”

Bow Wow & Omarion: Scream Tour IV: Heartthrobs Live from Miami

Bow Wow: The Price of Fame album

Wilson Evolution Basketball

Rap Dictionary: An A-Z Guide to Rap/Hip-Hop

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar’s album, DAMN (2017)

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most influential rappers, songwriters and record producers of his generation. Widely known for his incredible lyrics and powerful music, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. In Promise That You Will Sing About Me, pop culture critic and music journalist Miles Marshall Lewis explores Kendrick Lamar’s life, his roots, his music, his lyrics, and how he has shaped the musical landscape.

Promise That You Will Sing About Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Live from Paris: The Big Steppers Tour (2022)

Lamar created his All the Stars song for Marvel’s Black Panther Soundtrack. He had the honor of performing at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show with Dr. Dre et al.

Black Panther (2018) movie soundtrack includes Kendrick Lamar, Too $hort, Shorty B, Snoop Dogg, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, and more. Black Panther movie available on Amazon Prime Video.

Wakanda Forever has become the first movie of 2022 to remain #1 at the domestic box office for four consecutive weekends.

Music From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) includes songs by Rihanna.

Men’s Black & White Diamond Stainless Steel Bracelet (Sam’s Club)

Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History

14K White Gold Hand Link Lobster Clasp Bracelet

Money Can’t Buy You Love by Ralph Tresvant

Ralph showcases his Singing and Rapping Skills.

Executive produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, this song was featured on the soundtrack for the 1992 movie Mo Money.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation (2005)

Abney’s Proofreading & Editing Services

The Music Producer’s Ultimate Guide to FL Studio 20

Billboard Magazine Subscription

Apple iPad Pro

5G for superfast downloads and high-quality streaming

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre in the Studio

From Compton, Death Row, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, The Game & Mad Money-The Life, Times and Aftermath of the Notorious Record Producer . . . Dr. Dre

This biography chronicles his rise to success, beginning with when he was just three years old. It then details his days as a deejay, showing how he mixed and spun his way to the top—using Grandmaster Flash as his catalyst—and eventually embarked on his destiny as the most in demand and greatest record producer in the world.

Welcome to Death Row—A Documentary (2022)

Death Row Records exploded on the music scene in 1993 with a “gangster rap” sound. Despite its unprecedented success with stars such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Tupac, it quickly unraveled in a firestorm of rivalries, greed, violence, and scrutiny.

California Love: Tupac & Dr. Dre

Music by Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre Legendary

Dr. Dre Compton featuring various artists

Dr. Dre The Chronic

Chronicles: Death Row Classics

Dr. Dre 2001 Instrumental

Best of Old School Hip-Hop, Vol. 1—Includes Nuthin’ but a G Thang

The Invisible Man: An Orchestral Tribute to Dr. Dre by Sly5thAve

Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

The Rap Year Book: The Most Important Rap Song From Every Year Since 1979 (2015)

JAY-Z

The Story of Jay-Z—A Documentary (2020)

Jay-Z is one of the most talented, successful and acclaimed musicians of all time. He changed the game and without him, music—and more specifically hip hop—would not be in the medium it is today.

IZZO (H.O.V.A.) by Jay-Z (Produced by Kanye)

Jay-Z’s The Blueprint album (16 songs, 2001)

JAY-Z: Made in America

Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office

Made In America—A Documentary (2014). Made in America is an all-access backstage pass to the one-of-a-kind festival created by Jay-Z, and directed by Ron Howard. Features performances and backstage interviews with many of today’s biggest music stars.

Documentary: Beyonce & Jay-Z: Power Love

Beyonce & Jay-Z: On The Run Tour

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Cologne for Men

Logic’s Live Performance at the MTV VMAs featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid (The 1-800 Song)

Logic’s Everybody album (13 songs)

Logic Hoodie | Rap and Hip Hop

Hip Hop 50: Volume 1 (5 songs, 2022)

Features DJ Premier, Joey Bada$$, Remy Ma & Rapsody, Nas, Run the Jewels, Slick Rick, Lil Wayne

Sony Portable Boombox

The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop—A Rhyming, Triple-Timing Picture Book for Kids

It Takes Two Video Game for PlayStation 4

More video game platforms available on Amazon.

I Am Music—Common featuring Jill Scott

“Never lookin’ back or too far in front of me. The present is a gift, and I just wanna be.” ~Common aka Lonnie R. Lynn

Common’s album, Be (2005)

Common: Electric Circus featuring I Am Music—Various Artists

Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze

Ini Kamoze Here Comes the Hotstepper album

Ini Kamoze: Debut—World A Reggae (34 songs)

Bose Home Speaker 500: Smart Bluetooth Speaker with Alexa Voice Control Built-In

Hip Hop Moguls—This Documentary charts the rags to riches stories of Russell Simmons, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, and Damon Dash.

Art of Rap: Something from Nothing—A Documentary featuring Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D and more.

Chuck D Presents This Day in Rap and Hip-Hop History (2017)

Chuck D—A Documentary. Rapper Chuck D, creative leader of the Public Enemy group, talks through his early influences, the group’s development, and reveals his songwriting process.

Detroit Hip Hop

The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop Narrated by Chuck D.

“Early 80s, Detroit was the techno capital of the world. Techno is a Detroit genre, as is J Dilla.” ~Rapper Awesome Dre

“When I make my music, I make it straight from the heart. I want people to feel what I feel.” ~James D. Yancey aka J Dilla

Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest

Find A Way by A Tribe Called Quest (1998), Produced by J Dilla

A Tribe Called Quest: The Love Movement album

A Tribe Called Quest: Anthology album

Dilla died in 2006 from health issues. His tombstone reads: “One of the world’s greatest producers of music. A genius in his own right. The legacy lives on. It’s All Good.”

“Most of our geniuses leave early. They leave us their legacy, and they leave us their music. And I think the music will live on forever.” ~Amp Fiddler

“Dilla is recognized as one of the hip-hop’s greatest innovators and geniuses. A man who put the soul back into sampling.” ~Amp Fiddler

50 Cent aka Curtis J. Jackson III

Known professionally as 50 Cent, he is a Rapper, Actor & Businessman. He was born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began pursuing a musical career in 2000. His first major-label album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003) was a huge success.

“Take your time and make a classic, they last a long time.” ~Curtis J. Jackson III aka 50 Cent

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ made an immediate impact upon its release, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Its latest chart placement brings the album to 150 weeks, making it his longest-charting project. It is currently RIAA-certified 9X Platinum. Both “In Da Club” and “21 Questions” earned the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens by 50 Cent

An explosive memoir by one of today’s hottest rap artists recounts the story of his life, his decision to abandon his dangerous life of crime to pursue a hip-hop career, his confrontation with a rival drug lord that nearly ended his life, and his rise to success in the music business.

“Everything negative is a positive. The bad things that happen to me, I somehow make them good.” ~Curtis J. Jackson III aka 50 Cent

He executive-produced and starred in the TV series Power (2014-2020).

50 Cent was ranked the 6^th best artist of the 2000s and the 3^rd best rapper (behind Eminem and Nelly) by Billboard. Rolling Stone ranked the song In da Club at #13 on its 100 Best Songs of the 2000s, and the album at #37 on its 100 Best Albums of the 2000s.

In da Club by 50 Cent

Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003) album

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (2020)

Eminem

Not Afraid: The Evolution of Eminem

Curtain Call 2 (35 songs, 2022) featuring various artists

Curtain Call: The Hits (17 songs, 2005)

LEGO’s Rome Colosseum Reproduction Builder Block Kit

LEGO Colosseum Reproduction Builder Block Kit

Untold Stories of Hip Hop with Angie Martinez

Hip Hop’s best kept secrets revealed; betrayals, money, sex, murder—nothing is off limits.

Omaha Steaks Gourmet Food Including Seafood

Set in The West: The Genesis of L.A. Hip Hop

The origins of Hip Hop emerging from New York City in the 1970s are well documented, but many do not know there was another music scene that rose out of Los Angeles.

Various Artists—Hip Hop Don’t Stop

This film chronicles hip-hop from its beginning. See the evolution of music with vintage footage, live performances, and exclusive interviews with hip hop legends Run DMC, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., and many more

Nothin But a G’Thang Pullover Hoodie

Snoop Dogg

“The more information you have, the better you will be. I used to be focused on being the dopest rapper in the game, and then once that became what I was, I wanted something different, and I wanted to become the best businessman in the game. I wanted to learn how to master the business like I mastered the rap.” Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg album, Doggystyle (1993)

The Evolution of Snoop Dogg—A Documentary (2014). An in-depth look at Snoop Dogg from his early collaborations with Dr. Dre and the albums that transformed him into a hip-hop legend.

The Best of Snoop Dogg (19 songs) featuring various artists

Snoop Dogg Presents Christmas in the Dogghouse (20 songs)

Snoop Dogg: R&G Rhythm & Gangsta The Masterpiece

“In the Black culture, certain kids are given nicknames that they roll with forever; the nicknames outweigh their real names. I’m one of those scenarios.” Snoop Dogg

“I love making music and I’m falling in love with making records, so it’s like having two girlfriends. But I can handle it.” Snoop Dogg

“If it’s flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do, you have to master your craft.” Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg Photobook: Collection of 40 Awesome Moments of Snoop Dogg | Surprising Gift for Fans

From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen (Snoop Dogg)

Don’t Waste My Time by Usher feat. Ella Mai

Don’t Waste My Time MP3 Download

Ella Mai’s album (2018), includes Boo’d Up

Usher by Usher For Men Eau de Toilette Spray

Rapper’s Delight: The Hip Hop Cookbook

TUPAC SHAKUR

Dear Mama by 2Pac

Tupac Shakur: All Eyez On Me

The Life and Death of Tupac Shakur

Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap

Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G.

Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G.

Notorious B.I.G. Bigger Than Life

Notorious B.I.G.: Business Instead of Game—A Documentary

Biggie Smalls: Notorious—The rise of the Notorious B.I.G. to rap music fame

Music Maker 2022 Premium Edition

Choose from thousands of sounds, loops & instruments and combine – it’s never been easier. Edit your music like a pro and Mix and master using professional effects

Dilemma by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland

Nelly’s Nellyville album

Playlist: The Very Best of Kelly Rowland

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

The theme song Yo Home to Bel Air was written and performed by Will under his stage name, The Fresh Prince. The music was composed by Quincy Jones, who is credited with Will at the end of each episode.

Summertime was produced by Chicago-based producers Hula and K. Fingers. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1992. After recording for other tracks, the producers handed Will the tape that would become Summertime. During a flight delay, Will wrote the entire song in one sitting. Due to his voice being worn out from the previous night, he recorded this song in a lower tone than usual, unknowingly bringing out a style similar to Rapper Rakim, which Will admired at the time. The song’s instrumentation samples Kool & the Gang’s Summer Madness.

Summertime by Will Smith—The Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff

Will Smith’s Greatest Hits

MixPad Multi-Track Recording Software for Sound Mixing and Music Production

Mix an unlimited number of audio, music and voice tracks, record single or multiple tracks simultaneously
All the power of professional mixing and recording equipment through a single platform
Supports sample rates from 6 kHz to 96kHz, export at all popular bit depths up to 32 bits floating point audio
Load any audio file and export to all popular audio formats from studio quality wav to high compression formats

No Plans For Love—D-Nice with Ne-Yo & Kent Jones

No Plans For Love Available on Amazon Music

Korg 16-Key Synthesizer (VOLCABEATS)

Pharrell Williams

Williams has been widely referred to as one of the most influential and successful music producers of the 21st century, having had a significant impact on the sound of modern popular music. Pharrell formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in the early 1990s, with whom he has produced songs for various recording artists. In 1999, he became lead vocalist of the band N.E.R.D.

Pharrell released his debut solo album, In My Mind in 2006. In 2013, he produced and was featured alongside T.I. on the song, Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke. His song Happy was the lead single for the soundtrack of the film Despicable Me 2.

Happy by Pharrell

Pharrell co-scored Despicable Me with composer Heitor Pereira, as well as wrote four songs for the film. He worked with Hans Zimmer and a number of other composers on the music for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Hidden Figures (2017), and wrote “It’s On Again,” performed by Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar.

Pharrell x Adidas Sneaker Shoes

More Pharrell x Adidas Sneakers available on Amazon

Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop

The ultimate companion for music and photography enthusiasts, Contact High is the definitive history of hip-hop’s early days, celebrating the artists that shaped the iconic album covers, t-shirts and posters beloved by hip-hop fans today.

‘Bout That Time by Large Professor

Large Professor’s 1^st Class album

A Composer’s Guide to Game Music by Winifred Phillips, Award-Winning Composer of Video Game Music

A comprehensive, practical guide to composing video game music. Composers of video game music must master an array of specialized skills not taught in the conservatory, including the creation of linear loops, music chunks for horizontal resequencing, and compositional fragments for use within a generative framework.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone for PC, Mac, Gaming, Recording, Streaming, Podcasting, Studio and Computer Condenser Mic with Blue VO!CE Effects, 4 Pickup Patterns, Plug & Play

Music Video Games

Def Jam Rapstar Bundle—No other franchise oozes Hip-Hop more than the “Def Jam” series. Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, or PlayStation 3.

DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable. Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2/3 or Xbox 360.

Composing Music for Games: The Art, Technology and Business of Video Game Scoring

Tech N9ne aka Tecca Nina

He co-founded Strange Music and established himself as the most significant independent rapper ever, producing 20 studio albums and 8 collabs.

He has mastered the “Chopper” style rap flow that has earned him three golds and one platinum album. Tech has fantastic mainstream collaborations with rappers like Lil Wayne, Twista, Busta Rhymes, Logic, Wiz Khalifa, and The Game.

In 2018, Tecca Nina broke the Most Top 10s record on Billboard’s Rap Album Charts. An honor he shared previously with rap greats Gucci Mane and E-40.

Tech N9ne’s Absolute Power album (2002)

Tech N9ne’s Special Effects album (2015)

The Autobiography of Gucci Mane

In his extraordinary autobiography, the legend takes us to his roots in Alabama, the streets of East Atlanta, the trap house, and the studio where he found his voice as a peerless rapper. He reflects on his inimitable career and in the process confronts his dark past—years behind bars, the murder charge, drug addiction, career highs and lows—the making of a trap god. It is one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of music.

Gucci Mane’s Mixtape, So Icy Boyz 22 (56 songs) features various artists

Gucci Mane’s Mixtape, So Icy Boyz: The Finale (80 songs, 2022)

For years, the attitude in hip-hop towards Rapper-Producers was “Pick a lane because no one is good at both,” but Super Producers ended that. Kanye, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, The Neptunes, and Dilla didn’t share a sound, but they did share an approach. They were hip-hop auteurs, songwriters, beat makers, and performers all rolled into one. It was an empowering shift in hip-hop that allowed these auteurs to spread their sound across hip-hop, across genres, and across the charts. ~Hip Hop Evolution

Kanye West

In his early days, he was producing people out in Chicago, and started doing beats for Jermaine Dupre. He always rapped and he made it so you knew that he rapped. “H to the Izz-O, V to the Izz-A.” Kanye produced IZZO (H.O.V.A.) for Jay-Z (2010). He ended up producing 6 songs for the album.

“If I could rap anywhere near the caliber of my beats, I would kill the game.” ~Kanye West

Kanye West: A Higher Power—A Documentary (2020).

Kanye with Special Guest Drake—Live from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (2021)

Kanye West: Saint—A Documentary (2018). Kanye has transformed the sound of music through his production style and passionate lyrics.

Gold Digger by Kanye West

Music: Kanye West: Late Registration (21 songs, 2005) featuring Gold Digger

Kanye’s College Dropout album (21 songs, 2004)

“College Dropout really represents a shift in the culture. You could actually be articulate and intellectual, and not be a gangster, but still be fly and have jewelry. Kanye used to say, I’m the first guy with a Benz and a backpack.” ~John Monopoly

ADIDAS YEEZY BOOST SNEAKERS available on Amazon

The History of Hip Hop Collection by Eric Reese

This concise but in-depth book explores all the distinguishing traits of what is not only a genre of music but a lifestyle. It gives you a direct-straight to the point history of the indisputable legendary force of rap artists and their deejays. Hip Hop lives on!

The Emerald City Street Life: A Hip Hop Memoir by Marcus L. Daniels Sr.

How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC

Clipse, Cypress Hill, Nelly, Public Enemy, Remy Ma, Schoolly D, A Tribe Called Quest, will.i.am—these are just some of the acclaimed artists offering tips and advice in this compelling how-to.

Hip Hop Hooray—Naughty by Nature (14 songs, 1993)

FiiO M17 MP3/MP4 Player Music Player High Resolution Bluetooth Portable Desktop Audio Player

Hip-Hop & Rap: Complete Lyrics for 175 Songs

Rap music’s place within the global pantheon of pop culture was forever solidified when Webster’s decided to add the slang term “def” to the dictionary.

The full spectrum of this vibrant genre is represented in this book by nearly 100 artists, including: Cypress Hill * Dr. Dre * Missy Elliot * Eminem * 50 Cent * Ice Cube * Ja Rule * Wyclef Jean * LL Cool J * Lil’ Kim * Ludacris * Method Man * Nas * Nelly * Notorious B.I.G. * Outkast * Public Enemy * P Diddy * Run-DMC * 2Pac * Wu-Tang Clan * and many others.

Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-Hop

Abney’s Proofreading & Editing Services

The Rap Rebirth Lyricist Guide: How to Write Amazing Hip-Hop Lyrics (Kindle Edition)

“I don’t freestyle, but when I’m writing and thinking, sometimes things pop up; that’s basically a freestyle.” ~ André L. Benjamin aka André 3000

Outkast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994)

Outkast’s album ATLiens (1996)

Outkast’s Aquemini album (1998)

How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC

This book is compiled from interviews with 104 notable rappers who provide insights into how they write and perform their lyrics.

“My style is to take something unexpected and make it into a hit.” Timothy Z. Mosley aka Timbaland

Timbaland albums, Shock Value (2007) and Shock Value II (2009)

Percy “Master P” Miller, Sr.

Master P is a Rapper, Actor, and Record Producer. He released No Limit Chronicles (2020), a 5-part BET docuseries on his New Orleans-based hip-hop label. The series shares stories of Master P’s career as a record executive and businessman.

“People do look up to me and it makes me feel good. I made it out of a bad situation and I didn’t mind bettering myself and I think that’s what people respect. Most people go back but I was able to look at the big picture.” ~Percy “Master P” Miller, Sr.

The Best of Master P

Master P and TRU’s album, True (1995), includes I’m Bout It, Bout It

Master P’s Ghetto D album (1997), includes Make ‘Em Say Uhh!

Master P’s Da Last Don album (1998)

Master P and 504 Boyz’s album, Goodfellas (2000), includes Wobble Wobble

Master P’s Ghetto Postage album

Master P’s Game Face album (2001)

Master P’s Ice Cream Man

Master P and son Romeo’s collaboration album, Miller Boyz: Hip Hop History (2007)

Master P’s Empire, from the Hood to Hollywood (2015)

Living Legend: Certified D Boy

Louisiana Hot Sauce

Rap Snacks—Co-Founder Master P. Chips and Puffs, Popcorn, Lemonades, Noodles, and more available on Amazon.

Rap Snacks Romeo Miller Bar-B-Quin’ With My Honey Potato Chips

Rap Snacks Master P Bar-B-Quin’ With My Honey Cheese Puffs

“Now, my fans are older, and they understand how to appreciate me the same way I appreciate them for being there for me.” ~Percy “Master P” Miller, Sr.

Master P’s Book: Guaranteed Success

How to Write Better Songs: Songwriting Secrets from Award-Winning Songwriters

“Here we go round and round and round and back and forth you know
Everybody goes through it sometime and that’s just the way it flows
So, we go up and down and up, and in and out the door
Even though you know you’ve been through it before…” Babyface, For the Cool in You

Hits Written by Babyface, Vol. 1 (15 songs)

Hits Written by Babyface, Vol. 2 (15 songs)

A Little Bit of Country

Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

Trace Adkins Greatest Hits Collection, Vol. I

Cruise by Florida Georgia Line Featuring Rapper Nelly

Here’s to the Good Times…This Is How We Roll (17 songs, 2012) featuring the Cruise Remix with Nelly

The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop

Dan Charnas built a celebrated career in the rap industry. In The Big Payback, he chronicles the rise of the hip-hop culture and shows how it became so powerful in a matter of decades. Charnas also profiles many of the movers and shakers in this burgeoning cultural movement, offering unprecedented access to an industry that continues to shake the globe.

TLC: T-Boz, Left Eye & Chilli

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas

Having sold over 65 million records worldwide, TLC is the best-selling American girl group. Following Lisa Lopes’s death in 2002, instead of replacing her, T-Boz & Chilli chose to continue as a duo. In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

Diggin’ On You by TLC

TLC’s Music:

Ooooooohhh…On the TLC Tip (1992)

How Mickey Factz Made the First-Ever Hip-Hop Academy. Billboard Article.

Music History: The Rise of Rap and Hip Hop Songs