1.
Album
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Album, is a collection of audio recordings issued as a single item on CD, record, audio tape, or another medium. Albums of recorded music were developed in the early 20th century, first as books of individual 78rpm records, vinyl LPs are still issued, though in the 21st century album sales have mostly focused on compact disc and MP3 formats. The audio cassette was a format used from the late 1970s through to the 1990s alongside vinyl, an album may be recorded in a recording studio, in a concert venue, at home, in the field, or a mix of places. Recording may take a few hours to years to complete, usually in several takes with different parts recorded separately. Recordings that are done in one take without overdubbing are termed live, the majority of studio recordings contain an abundance of editing, sound effects, voice adjustments, etc. With modern recording technology, musicians can be recorded in separate rooms or at times while listening to the other parts using headphones. Album covers and liner notes are used, and sometimes additional information is provided, such as analysis of the recording, historically, the term album was applied to a collection of various items housed in a book format. In musical usage the word was used for collections of pieces of printed music from the early nineteenth century. Later, collections of related 78rpm records were bundled in book-like albums, the LP record, or 33 1⁄3 rpm microgroove vinyl record, is a gramophone record format introduced by Columbia Records in 1948. It was adopted by the industry as a standard format for the album. Apart from relatively minor refinements and the important later addition of stereophonic sound capability, the term album had been carried forward from the early nineteenth century when it had been used for collections of short pieces of music. Later, collections of related 78rpm records were bundled in book-like albums, as part of a trend of shifting sales in the music industry, some commenters have declared that the early 21st century experienced the death of the album. Sometimes shorter albums are referred to as mini-albums or EPs, Albums such as Tubular Bells, Amarok, Hergest Ridge by Mike Oldfield, and Yess Close to the Edge, include fewer than four tracks. There are no rules against artists such as Pinhead Gunpowder referring to their own releases under thirty minutes as albums. These are known as box sets, material is stored on an album in sections termed tracks, normally 11 or 12 tracks. A music track is a song or instrumental recording. The term is associated with popular music where separate tracks are known as album tracks. When vinyl records were the medium for audio recordings a track could be identified visually from the grooves
2.
Kanye West
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Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Intent on pursuing a career as a rapper, West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004 to widespread critical and commercial success. He went on to pursue a variety of different styles on subsequent albums Late Registration, Graduation, and 808s & Heartbreak. In 2010, he released his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to rave reviews from critics, West released his abrasive sixth album, Yeezus, to further critical praise in 2013. His seventh album, The Life of Pablo, was released in 2016, Wests outspoken views and life outside of music have received significant mainstream attention. He has been a frequent source of controversy for his conduct at award shows, on social media and he is the founder and head of the creative content company DONDA. His 2014 marriage to television personality Kim Kardashian has also been subject to media coverage. He has won a total of 21 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded artists of all time, three of his albums have been included and ranked on Rolling Stones 2012 update of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. He has also included in a number of Forbes annual lists. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and 2015, West was born on June 8,1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents divorced when he was three years old, after the divorce, he and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. His father, Ray West, is a former Black Panther and was one of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ray West was later a Christian counselor, and in 2006, opened the Good Water Store and Café in Lexington Park, Maryland with startup capital from his son. West, was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, West was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois after living in Chicago. At the age of 10, West moved with his mother to Nanjing, China, according to his mother, West was the only foreigner in his class, but settled in well and quickly picked up the language, although he has since forgotten most of it. When asked about his grades in school, West replied, I got As. West demonstrated an affinity for the arts at an early age and his mother recalled that she first took notice of Wests passion for drawing and music when he was in the third grade. Growing up in Chicago, West became deeply involved in its hip hop scene and he started rapping in the third grade and began making musical compositions in the seventh grade, eventually selling them to other artists
3.
Jackson Hole
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Jackson Hole is a valley between the Teton Mountain Range and the Gros Ventre Range in Wyoming. These low-lying valleys surrounded by mountains and containing rivers and streams are habitat for beaver and other fur-bearing animals. The town of Jackson was named in late 1893 by Margaret Simpson and she named the town in order for easterners to be able to forward mail west. Jackson, which incorporated in 1914, was named after David Edward Davey Jackson who trapped beaver in the area in the late 1820s while a partner in the firm of Smith. Davy Jackson was one of the first white men to spend a winter in the Valley of the Teton Mountains. Though used by Native Americans for hunting and ceremonial purposes, the valley was not known to harbor year-round human settlement prior to the 1870s. Descriptions of the valley and its features were recorded in the journals of John Colter, after returning to the Rocky Mountains, Colter entered the region in 1807 in the vicinity of Togwotee Pass and became the first white American to see the valley. His reports of the valley, the Teton Range and the Yellowstone region to the north were viewed by people of the day with skepticism, the first people to settle the region were Native Americans, then fur trappers, and then homesteaders. Because the soil is not ideal for raising crops, the valley was used for cattle, tourism quickly became popular with the establishment of dude ranches. The only incorporated town in the valley is Jackson, also called Jackson Hole, other communities in the valley include Wilson, Teton Village, Moran Junction, Hoback, Moose, and Kelly. West of Jackson, Teton Pass crosses the end of the Teton Range, providing access to Victor and Driggs in eastern Idaho and Alta, Wyoming. This area was known as Pierres Hole and hosted a major Rendezvous in 1832, numerous elk use the valley as grazing range during the winter, and sleigh rides are offered to tourists. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King and Grand Targhee Resort ski areas, the valley is formed by the Teton Range on the western side and the Gros Ventre Range on the eastern side. Grand Teton National Park occupies the part of the valley encompassing much of the Teton Range as well as Jackson Lake. The town of Jackson is at the southern end. Between them lies, on U. S. Route 26, Glacier View Turnout offering a view of Teton Glacier on the north of Grand Teton, and the National Elk Refuge, home of the largest elk herd on earth. The Snake River threads through the valley from its headwater in Yellowstone in the north to the mouth of the Snake River Canyon at the southern tip of the valley. Blacktail Butte is a prominent landform rising from the valley floor, the average elevation of the valley is over 6,500 feet above sea level
4.
Hip hop music
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It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements, MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching with turntables, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling beats or bass lines from records, while often used to refer solely to rapping, hip hop more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. Hip hops early evolution occurred as sampling technology and drum machines became available and affordable. Turntablist techniques such as scratching and beatmatching developed along with the breaks and Jamaican toasting, rapping developed as a vocal style in which the artist speaks or chants along rhythmically with an instrumental or synthesized beat. The Sugarhill Gangs 1979 song Rappers Delight is widely regarded to be the first hip hop record to gain popularity in the mainstream. The 1980s marked the diversification of hip hop as the genre developed more complex styles, prior to the 1980s, hip hop music was largely confined within the United States. However, during the 1980s, it began to spread to scenes in dozens of countries. New school hip hop was the wave of hip hop music, originating in 1983–84 with the early records of Run-D. M. C. The Golden age hip hop period was a period between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. Notable artists from this era include the Juice Crew, Public Enemy, & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions and KRS-One, EPMD, Slick Rick, Beastie Boys, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. Gangsta rap is a subgenre of hip hop that often focuses on the violent lifestyles, in the West Coast hip hop style, G-funk dominated mainstream hip hop for several years during the 1990s. I. G. In the 1990s, hip hop began to diversify with other regional styles emerging, such as Southern rap, at the same time, hip hop continued to be assimilated into other genres of popular music, examples being Neo soul and nu metal. Hip hop became a pop music genre in the mid-1990s. The popularity of hip hop music continued through the 2000s, with hip hop influences also increasingly finding their way into mainstream pop, the United States also saw the success of regional styles such as crunk, a Southern genre that emphasized the beats and music more than the lyrics. Starting in 2005, sales of hip hop music in the United States began to severely wane, during the mid-2000s, alternative hip hop secured a place in the mainstream, due in part to the crossover success of artists such as OutKast and Kanye West. Creation of the hip hop is often credited to Keith Cowboy, rapper with Grandmaster Flash. However, Lovebug Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when the music was known as disco rap. Cowboy later worked the hip hop cadence into a part of his stage performance, the first use of the term in print was in The Village Voice, by Steven Hager, later author of a 1984 history of hip hop
5.
GOOD Music
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GOOD Music, Inc. is an American record label founded in 2004, by hip hop artist and record producer Kanye West. The label has housed several successful recording artists throughout the years, such as Big Sean, Pusha T, Common, John Legend, Tyga, Kid Cudi, Desiigner, Teyana Taylor and Mos Def, among others. Their roster of producers include Travis Scott, Southside, Hit-Boy, Hudson Mohawke, Q-Tip, Jeff Bhasker. The label has released 10 albums certified gold or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America, Kanye West founded GOOD Music in 2004, in conjunction with Sony BMG, shortly after releasing his debut album, The College Dropout. John Legend, Common, and West were the labels inaugural artists, legends Get Lifted was the labels first album release - this received eight nominations and three wins at the 2006 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. In October 2006, Legend released his album, Once Again. Commons Be, the second release, was the recipient of four Grammy Award nominations. The label later added GLC, Really Doe, Malik Yusef, Tony Williams, Wests second studio album, Late Registration, included featured guest appearances by every artist signed to GOOD Musics roster at the time of its release in August 2005. In May 2007, Detroit rapper Big Sean signed to the label, in 2008, West signed British singer-songwriter Mr Hudson, after hearing A Tale of Two Cities. He also signed then up-and-coming rapper Kid Cudi, after hearing his work from producer and manager Plain Pat. Kid Cudis debut album, Man on the Moon, The End of Day was released under GOOD Music on September 15,2009, the album earned three Grammy nominations and was certified Gold by the RIAA. A month later Mr Hudsons solo debut, Straight No Chaser, was released, the label held a cypher for the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards in June, that featured West, Common, Big Sean and new signee Cyhi the Prynce. In late 2010, West released several tracks featuring himself, and others members of the GOOD Music roster, in a free weekly giveaway known as, G. O. O. D. In September 2010, West signed Brooklyn rapper Mos Def to GOOD Music. and shortly afterwards Consequence released a diss track, the following month Pusha T announced his signing. Late in 2010, Kid Cudi released his studio album Man on the Moon II, The Legend of Mr. Rager. In April 2011, West signed American rapper and producer Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West also signed producer Hit-Boy, to Very G. O. O. D. In 2011, West signed Nigerian artists Dbanj and Don Jazzy, in June 2011, GOOD Music signed their first distribution agreement, with Def Jam Recordings. Big Seans debut Finally Famous was the first album released by GOOD Music with distribution by Def Jam, in late 2011, plans were announced for a release of a compilation album, later entitled Cruel Summer
6.
Def Jam Recordings
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Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused predominantly on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group. In the UK, the takes on the name Def Jam UK and is operated through Virgin EMI, while in Japan. The label distributes various record labels, including Kanye Wests GOOD Music, Ludacris Disturbing Tha Peace, Def Jam was founded by Rick Rubin in his dormitory in Weinstein Hall at New York University and its first release was a single by his punk-rock group Hose. Russell Simmons joined Rubin shortly after they were introduced to other, according to one story. Another cites DJ Jazzy Jay as their connector, Rubin has said he met Simmons on the TV show, Graffiti Rock and recognized him then as the face of hip hop, He was five years older than me, and he was already established in the music business. And I had no experience whatsoever, the first single released with the Def Jam Recordings logo was T La Rock & Jazzy Jays Its Yours. The first releases with Def Jam Recordings catalog numbers were LL Cool Js I Need a Beat, the singles sold well, eventually leading to a distribution deal with CBS Records through Columbia Records the following year. A few years later, Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen started a label called Rush Associated Labels to handle Def Jam. RAL became the home to Nice & Smooth and EPMD after both acts were acquired due to the folding of their former label Sleeping Bag Records, other acts under the RAL umbrella included Redman, Onyx, Flatlinerz, Domino, Warren G and Jayo Felony. As the decade drew to a close, the label signed Public Enemy, Lyor Cohen became president of Def Jam/RAL in 1988, after winning a power struggle with Rubin, who would shortly thereafter leave the company to form Def American Recordings. Rubin would take Slayer with him to Def American in its initial stages, by 1992, despite recent multi-platinum selling releases from Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into severe financial troubles and was faced with folding. However, in 1994, PolyGram purchased Sonys 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings — subsequently bringing the label into its fold, following PolyGrams purchase, Def Jam distributed the Violator Records-signed artist Warren Gs Regulate. G Funk Era album, which went triple platinum and brought much-needed revenue to Def Jam through its distribution deal with Violator, PolyGram acquired an additional 10% in Def Jam Recordings in 1996, further strengthening its ownership of Def Jam. Shortly thereafter, Rush Associated Labels was renamed Def Jam Music Group, the label remained profitable as its veteran star LL Cool J released his successful album Mr. Smith in 1995. The label later signed Foxy Brown, whose debut album Ill Na Na became a seller in 1997. In 1998, PolyGram was purchased by Seagram and merged with the MCA family of labels and it then purchased the remaining interest of Def Jam Recordings from Russell Simmons for a reported $100 million. UMG merged 14+ record labels including, Def Jam, Island Records, despite the formation of IDJMG, the Def Jam, Mercury, and Island labels continued to operate as separate imprints underneath the bigger umbrella. Lyor Cohen was appointed co-president of IDJMG, and Kevin Liles succeeded him as president of Def Jam, Def Soul also issued recordings by Musiq, Montell Jordan, Case,112, Patti LaBelle, and Christina Milian
7.
Record producer
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A record producer or music producer oversees and manages the sound recording and production of a band or performers music, which may range from recording one song to recording a lengthy concept album. A producer has many roles during the recording process, the roles of a producer vary. The producer may perform these roles himself, or help select the engineer, the producer may also pay session musicians and engineers and ensure that the entire project is completed within the record companies budget. A record producer or music producer has a broad role in overseeing and managing the recording. Producers also often take on an entrepreneurial role, with responsibility for the budget, schedules, contracts. In the 2010s, the industry has two kinds of producers with different roles, executive producer and music producer. Executive producers oversee project finances while music producers oversee the process of recording songs or albums. In most cases the producer is also a competent arranger, composer. The producer will also liaise with the engineer who concentrates on the technical aspects of recording. Noted producer Phil Ek described his role as the person who creatively guides or directs the process of making a record, indeed, in Bollywood music, the designation actually is music director. The music producers job is to create, shape, and mold a piece of music, at the beginning of record industry, producer role was technically limited to record, in one shot, artists performing live. The role of producers changed progressively over the 1950s and 1960s due to technological developments, the development of multitrack recording caused a major change in the recording process. Before multitracking, all the elements of a song had to be performed simultaneously, all of these singers and musicians had to be assembled in a large studio and the performance had to be recorded. As well, for a song that used 20 instruments, it was no longer necessary to get all the players in the studio at the same time. Examples include the rock sound effects of the 1960s, e. g. playing back the sound of recorded instruments backwards or clanging the tape to produce unique sound effects. These new instruments were electric or electronic, and thus they used instrument amplifiers, new technologies like multitracking changed the goal of recording, A producer could blend together multiple takes and edit together different sections to create the desired sound. For example, in jazz fusion Bandleader-composer Miles Davis album Bitches Brew, producers like Phil Spector and George Martin were soon creating recordings that were, in practical terms, almost impossible to realise in live performance. Producers became creative figures in the studio, other examples of such engineers includes Joe Meek, Teo Macero, Brian Wilson, and Biddu
8.
Andy C
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Andrew Clarke, known by his stage name Andy C, is an English DJ, record producer and co-founder of the RAM Records. He is the force in the drum and bass genre. In 2011 Andy C won the Best DJ title in the 2011 Drum and Bass Arena Awards and he specialises in fast mixing, often employing three turntables. A signature mixing style of Andy is what he refers to as The Double Drop, Andy C has often organised events where he DJs continuously for 6 hours. Andy C is considered amongst the culture of Britain and the extended population of the world to be the Most influential Drum & Bass DJ to ever live. Having the most successful label in the genre, and also the greatest number of Best DJ titles. The track was released as an EP in 1993 and has remixed and re-released several times. His signature look and energetic movement behind the decks when playing him a recognisable figure. In 2001, he collaborated with Shimon on the single Body Rock, Andy C has continued to produce strong selling records released on his label RAM Records throughout the duration of his career, and has earned extensive respect both as a producer and as a DJ. Due to its success as a label, Ram Records has been able to attract and nurture other artists of high calibre, including Chase & Status, Loadstar, Sub Focus and Wilkinson. In 2012 Andy C launched a new concept – Andy C Alive, at the heart of the setup are 3 deck mixing desks, audio and image editing suites and a setup that allows Andy to custom mix content on the fly. DMC World DJ Championships Hall of Fame Inductee DJ Craze retains that Andy C is his favorite DJ to hear play drum and his first single in ten years, Haunting / Workout, was released as a promotional double A-side from the Nightlife 6 compilation on 3 November 2013. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 188 and his next single, Heartbeat Loud, was released in November 2014 and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 50. Andy C ranked #61 in DJ Magazines 2010 Top 100 DJs annual poll announced 27 October 2010, on 1 December 2011 Andy C won the Best DJ title in the 2011 Drum and Bass Arena Awards. On 29 November 2013, Andy C won Ambassador of Bass Music in the 2013 Bass Music Awards, and his label Ram Records was nominated for Best Label. Since its inception in 2009, the vote each year for the annual awards for best DJ at The Drum. He is considered a force in the drum and bass genre. He specialises in fast mixing, often employing three turntables, a signature mixing style of Andy is what he refers to as The Double Drop – lining up 2 tunes so the baselines heaviest basslines drop at the same time on both tracks
9.
Francis and the Lights
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Francis and the Lights is an American musical project led by Francis Farewell Starlite. The term and the Lights refers both to the lights on a stage and pixels on a computer screen, Starlite has said, There are no members of Francis and the Lights. It is me and whomever else is involved and they released their debut studio album, Farewell, Starlite. In 2007, Francis and the Lights self-released their debut EP, in August 2008, Francis and the Lights self-released their second EP, A Modern Promise. On November 3,2008, Starlite incorporated the company Francis and the Lights, LLC and it was followed by an investment of $100,000 from the Normative Music Company, giving Francis and the Lights, LLC a valuation of $1 million. Normatives president, Jake Lodwick, a fan of Francis and the Lights, said, Francis Starlite is an uncompromising musician, I believe he will bring Francis and the Lights to international stardom. The spectacular live shows, beautiful recordings, and his relentless character back me up, in late 2009, Normative shut down. On July 20,2010, Francis and the Lights released their third EP, Itll Be Better and it was produced by Francis Farewell Starlite and Jake Schreier. In 2010, Francis and the Lights toured with Drake, MGMT, Ke$ha, La Roux, in 2013, Francis and the Lights released their fourth EP, Like a Dream. Drake quoted the 2010 Francis and the Lights song Get in the Car on the track Madonna from his 2015 mixtape If Youre Reading This Its Too Late. The phrase Big as Madonna was later used on a shirt that was worn by Madonna during her infamous appearance in Drakes 2015 Coachella Valley Music, in 2016, Francis and the Lights were featured on Chance the Rappers Summer Friends from his third mixtape, Coloring Book. Francis and the Lights will serve as the act on the North American tour dates of Chance the Rappers Magnificent Coloring World Tour. On May 15,2016, Starlite released a piano song entitled Thank You. Vernon later said on Twitter, This man, recorded right in my living room. On July 7,2016, Francis and the Lights released a video for the new song Friends featuring Bon Iver. On August 13,2016, Francis and the Lights premiered their debut studio album Farewell, during their performance at the Eaux Claires music festival. It was released on September 24,2016 immediately after a performance of the album at Chance the Rappers Magnificent Coloring Day festival, in 2016 Francis and the Lights performed a cover of Dear Theodosia as a duet with Chance the Rapper on The Hamilton Mixtape
10.
Irv Gotti
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Irving Domingo Lorenzo, Jr. better known as Irv Gotti, is an American hip hop and R&B record producer and is the founder of The Inc record label. Gotti was born in Queens, New York, and is of African American and Dominican descent and he is the youngest of eight siblings and the father of three children. A producer and music executive, he founded The Inc. with his brother Chris, the Inc. was originally Murder, Inc. but after legal troubles in 2003, the company was renamed in 2005. He has produced songs for artists as Jay-Z, Ja Rule. He produced Jay-Zs Can I Get A. Ja Rules Holla Holla, Gotti co-produced Vanessa Carltons third album, Heroes and Thieves, which was released October 9,2007, with Channel 7, Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins. In an interview with Angie Martinez in early May 2009, Gotti stated that his label and he has an estimated net worth of $15 million. In 2004, The Inc came under investigation for allegedly laundering money through the label for New York City drug kingpin Kenneth Supreme McGriff, on January 25,2005, Lorenzo and his brother Chris turned themselves in, alleging their innocence. They were released on $1 million bail, and would not be tried alongside McGriff for the charges against them, according to Haran, convicted drug dealer Kenneth Supreme McGriff, had shopping bags and shoe boxes full of cash delivered to the labels Manhattan office in 2000. The company then cut McGriff $280,000 in checks, authorities alleged that McGriff was permitted to funnel more than $1 million in drug money through Murder Inc. in return for serving as the labels protector and enforcer. Prosecutors additionally claim that the Lorenzos knew about a plot against platinum-selling rapper 50 Cent. On December 2,2005, Irving Lorenzo and his brother Christopher were acquitted of all money laundering charges, the brothers could have faced up to 20 years in prison. The defense countered all along that the brothers were victims of guilt by association with Kenneth Supreme McGriff, Gotti co-produced Vanessa Carltons third album, Heroes and Thieves, with Channel 7, Rick Rubin and Stephan Jenkins, which was released October 9,2007. Nicki Minaj’s hit “Moment For Life” was recently used in her Pepsi commercial as part of her ‘Live For Now’ campaign. During a behind-the-scenes interview with TheInsider. com on the set for the ad spot, Nicki revealed that producer and former Murder Inc. label head, Irv Gotti,1994 Shits Real 1996 Can I Live 1998 Can I Get A. Hot Spot 1999 Whats My Name Holla Holla 2000 Come Back in One Piece Between Me and You 2001 Whats Luv
11.
Ty Dolla Sign
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Tyrone William Griffin Jr. known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign, is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He first gained recognition in 2010 for his feature on YGs Toot It and Boot It. In the summer of 2013, he signed a deal with Wiz Khalifas Taylor Gang Records. In November 2015, he released his studio album, Free TC. Ty Dolla Sign is perhaps best known for his singles Paranoid, Or Nah, and Blasé, as well as his contributions to Loyal, Post to Be. Aside from his music career, Ty Dolla Sign is also a member of production team D. R. U. G. S. Alongside Chordz 3D, Buddah, Nate 3D, James Koo, Fuego, Ty Dolla Sign was born Tyrone William Griffin Jr. on April 13,1985, in Los Angeles, California. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Ty Dolla Sign was a member, representing the Bloods. Ty Dolla Sign is the son the musician Tyrone Griffin, a member of the band Lakeside, Ty Dolla Sign began his music career by learning how to play the bass guitar and later learned how to play drums, guitars, keyboards, and the MPC. Ty Dolla Sign and his partner Kory were signed a deal with Venus Brown and Buddah Brown Entertainment, subsequently releasing a mixtape. The duo also made guest appearances on albums by other artists such as Sa-Ra Creative Partners. They also sang on songs such as U, which was featured on the latter 2007s recording Popular Demand, eventually, however, the partners had a falling out related to these ventures. He then became affiliated with YGs group Pu$haz Ink, in 2011, Ty Dolla Sign released his first solo song, titled All Star featuring Joe Moses, and produced by Fuego. Ty Dolla Sign then released My Cabana, featuring Young Jeezy, Ty Dolla Sign co-founded the production team D. R. U. G. S. Alongside longtime friends and fellow music producers Chordz 3D and G Casso, including Nate 3D, Buddah Shampoo, Fuego, DJ Mustard and DJ Dahi. In 2012, Ty Dolla Sign signed a contract with Atlantic Records. After signing with Atlantic Records, he released his first solo mixtape, titled Beach House and he followed with the mixtapes sequel, Beach House 2, on July 1,2013. Beach House 2 features guest appearances from Too $hort, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J and Kirko Bangz, the following day, it was revealed that Ty Dolla Sign signed a deal with Wiz Khalifas Taylor Gang Records
12.
Single (music)
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In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a song recording of fewer tracks than an LP record, an album or an EP record. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats, in most cases, a single is a song that is released separately from an album, although it usually also appears on an album. Typically, these are the songs from albums that are released separately for promotional uses such as digital download or commercial radio airplay and are expected to be the most popular, in other cases a recording released as a single may not appear on an album. As digital downloading and audio streaming have become prevalent, it is often possible for every track on an album to also be available separately. Nevertheless, the concept of a single for an album has been retained as an identification of a heavily promoted or more popular song within an album collection. Despite being referred to as a single, singles can include up to as many as three tracks on them. The biggest digital music distributor, iTunes, accepts as many as three tracks less than ten minutes each as a single, as well as popular music player Spotify also following in this trend. Any more than three tracks on a release or longer than thirty minutes in total running time is either an Extended Play or if over six tracks long. The basic specifications of the single were made in the late 19th century. Gramophone discs were manufactured with a range of speeds and in several sizes. By about 1910, however, the 10-inch,78 rpm shellac disc had become the most commonly used format, the inherent technical limitations of the gramophone disc defined the standard format for commercial recordings in the early 20th century.26 rpm. With these factors applied to the 10-inch format, songwriters and performers increasingly tailored their output to fit the new medium, the breakthrough came with Bob Dylans Like a Rolling Stone. Singles have been issued in various formats, including 7-inch, 10-inch, other, less common, formats include singles on digital compact cassette, DVD, and LD, as well as many non-standard sizes of vinyl disc. Some artist release singles on records, a more common in musical subcultures. The most common form of the single is the 45 or 7-inch. The names are derived from its speed,45 rpm. The 7-inch 45 rpm record was released 31 March 1949 by RCA Victor as a smaller, more durable, the first 45 rpm records were monaural, with recordings on both sides of the disc. As stereo recordings became popular in the 1960s, almost all 45 rpm records were produced in stereo by the early 1970s
13.
Kid Cudi
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Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. Cudi first gained major recognition following the release of his first official full-length project, the mixtape caught the attention of American rapper-producer Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label imprint in late 2008. Cudi has since gone on to launch his own record label imprints, initially a rapper, Cudi has since added singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, music video director and film composer to his repertoire. As of 2017, Cudi has released six albums as a solo artist. In 2008, his debut single Day n Nite, led him to prominence, Cudis debut album Man on the Moon, The End of Day was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 2010, he released Man on the Moon II, The Legend of Mr. Rager, later in 2010, Cudi formed a rock band, now known as WZRD, with his long-time collaborator Dot da Genius, releasing one eponymous debut album, in early 2012. The album debuted at one on the Top Rock Albums chart. In April 2013, Cudi released Indicud, which became his highest-charting album on multiple charts, in February 2014, Cudi unexpectedly released his fourth album, Satellite Flight, The Journey to Mother Moon, exclusively to digital retailers with no promotion. With his originality and creativity, as well as the emotion he conveys in his music, Cudi has amassed a large following among high school students, college students. In 2010, Cudi ventured into acting when he began starring in the HBO series How to Make It in America, Cudi has since appeared in several feature films, including Goodbye World, Need for Speed and Entourage. In addition, he has made appearances on shows such as One Tree Hill, The Cleveland Show. In 2015, he was the bandleader on the IFC series, Kid Cudi was born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi on January 30,1984, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Shaker Heights and Solon. He is the youngest of four children, with two brothers, Domingo and Dean, and a sister, Maisha and his mother, Elsie Harriet, is a middle-school choir teacher at Roxboro Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. His father, Lindberg Styles Mescudi, was a painter, substitute teacher. His father was of African-American and Mexican-American descent, while his mother is African-American, when he was eleven years old, Cudis father died of cancer, his passing had a significant effect on Cudis personality and subsequently his music. Cudi attended Shaker Heights High School for two years before transferring to Solon High School and he was expelled from the school for threatening to punch his principal and would later earn his GED. Cudi studied film at the University of Toledo, dropping out after a year and his subsequent plan to join the U. S. Navy didnt pan out because of his juvenile police record. Cudi first began rapping towards the end of his school career, inspired by alternative hip hop groups such as The Pharcyde
14.
Jeremih
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Jeremih Felton, better known by the stage name Jeremih, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. In 2009, he signed a deal with Def Jam Recordings. Jeremihs commercial debut single, Birthday Sex, peaked at four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His self-titled debut album reached number six on the US Billboard 200 chart, Jeremihs success continued with the release of his second album, All About You, led by the single Down on Me, which also reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100. In 2014, his single Dont Tell Em became his third top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, after multiple delays, Jeremih released his third studio album, Late Nights in 2015. He announced that he is working on a joint album with PartyNextDoor called Late Night Party and he is also working on his fourth studio album, Later That Night. He learned to play instruments by ear without being able to read notes or having any sort of classical training. Jeremih attended Morgan Park High School, where he was part of the band as well as a Latin jazz band. In addition to being a musician, Felton was a good student. His strong overachieving academic performance enabled him to skip his senior year and he graduated at the age of 16 and enrolled at the University of Illinois as well as Parkland College in Urbana-Champaign. He was interested in the science program at his mothers suggestion as a safe career choice. After spending a semester at the university studying engineering science, he wanted to change his education to something more true to his musical passions and he transferred to Columbia College Chicago art school in 2007 to pursue a degree in music business. Having graduated from school at an early age, he said in an interview that he found himself getting in a lot of trouble while attending the college. He eventually plans on returning to college to earn his degree as well as becoming a youth advocate for higher education. After performing a tribute for Ray Charles at one of the talent shows, he received positive feedback and realized his vocal ability. While attending Columbia College Chicago, Jeremih collaborated with record producer Mick Schultz, together, they recorded a song entitled My Ride. Jeremih received guidance from his cousin Day26 group member, Willie Taylor, in February 2009, Jeremih met with Def Jam CEO Russell Simmons and executive vice president of A&R Karen Kwak. After performing for the two, Jeremih signed a contract with Def Jam that same day
15.
Pusha T
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Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper. He initially gained recognition as one-half of hip hop duo Clipse, alongside his brother Gene No Malice Thornton. In September 2010, Thornton announced his signing to Kanye Wests GOOD Music imprint, in March 2011, he released his first solo project, a mixtape titled Fear of God. Thornton released his solo album My Name Is My Name. In November 2015, Kanye West appointed Pusha T to take over his role as president of GOOD Music, Terrence LeVarr Thornton was born on May 13,1977, in The Bronx borough of New York City. Thornton and his family relocated to Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1992, Terrence and his brother Gene formed the duo Clipse, of the two brothers, Terrence was more open to features, appearing on Kelis 1999 single Good Stuff and Niveas 2001 single Run Away, respectively. In 2004, he and his brother launched their record label imprint, Re-Up Records, in 2006, they released their third studio album and their most commercial album, Hell Hath No Fury, which was praised by critics. After one more album as the Clipse in 2009, both No Malice and Pusha T announced that they were taking time off from the duo to focus on their own solo projects. He was also featured on tracks from Wests GOOD Fridays series and made other appearances on Swizz Beatzs Monster Mondays series. 2 and tabi Bonneys Fresh, respectively, on the week of December 16,2010, Thornton signed exclusively with NUE Agency. On February 11,2011, Funkmaster Flex debuted Thorntons first solo offering on New York Citys Hot 97, the track, titled My God, was produced by Hit-Boy and was generally well received by the public. Soon after, the song leaked onto the internet, however was not officially released through iTunes, on March 21,2011, Thornton released his first solo project, a mixtape titled Fear of God, which included My God and featured freestyles and other original songs. Soon after he began working on his extended play Fear of God II, Let Us Pray. On August 31,2011, it was announced Thornton signed a record deal with Def Jam. In addition it was revealed he added four songs to the EP making it 12 tracks rather than just the nine tracks that were previously announced. The first single from Fear of God II, Let Us Pray was leaked onto the Internet on July 8,2011, the song, titled Trouble on My Mind, features Odd Future frontman, Tyler, The Creator. The EPs second single, Amen was released September 13,2011, the song, originally meant for Young Jeezy, was produced by Shawty Redd and features verses from Kanye West and Young Jeezy respectively
16.
Nas
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Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas /ˈnɑːz/, is an American rapper, record producer, actor and entrepreneur. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums and has sold over 25 million records worldwide. He is also an entrepreneur through his own label, he serves as associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine and is the owner of a Fila sneaker store. He is currently signed to Mass Appeal Records and his musical career began in 1991 as featured artist on Main Sources Live at the Barbeque. His debut album Illmatic received universal acclaim from critics and the hip hop community and is frequently ranked as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Nas follow-up It Was Written debuted at one on the Billboard 200, stayed on top for four consecutive weeks. From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a publicized feud with rapper Jay Z. Nas signed to Def Jam in 2006. In 2010, he released Distant Relatives, an album with reggae artist Damian Marley. His eleventh studio album, Life Is Good was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Nas is often named as one of the greatest hip hop artists. MTV ranked him at number 5 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time, in 2012, The Source ranked him number two on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. In 2013, Nas was ranked fourth on MTVs Hottest MCs in the Game list. About. com ranked him first on their list of the 50 Greatest MCs of All Time in 2014, nasir bin Olu Dara Jones was born September 14,1973, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician and his mother, Fannie Ann Jones, was a Postal Service worker from North Carolina. He has one sibling, a brother named Jabari Fret who is best known as Jungle and his father took his name Olu Dara from the Yoruba people. His African DNA indicates he has roots in countries with high Yoruba populations Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana – as well as Mali, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Congo, and Senegal. His matrilineal DNA haplogroup is of African origin, found among the Yoruba and he also found that his Y-DNA traces directly back to Scandinavia, through which he is a descendant of the Vikings. As a young child, Nas and his family relocated to the Queensbridge Houses in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens and his neighbor, Willy Ill Will Graham, influenced Nass interest in hip hop by playing him records. His parents divorced in 1985, and he dropped out of school after the eighth grade and he educated himself about African culture through the Five Percent Nation and the Nuwaubian Nation
17.
Teyana Taylor
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Teyana Taylor, is an American recording artist and actress from Harlem, New York. In 2007, Taylor signed a deal with American musician Pharrell Williams Star Trak Entertainment imprint. In 2012, she signed to Kanye Wests GOOD Music label through Def Jam, as an aspiring songwriter, Taylor has worked with and written records for major artists such as Usher, Chris Brown, and Omarion. Taylor has appeared on runways during Fashion Week and has also landed high-profile features, Teyana Taylor was born December 10,1990 and raised in Harlem, New York City. Taylor is her mothers only child and her father has two sons and another daughter from a different relationship. Her mother raised her with her family and is currently her manager, at age nine, she picked up a microphone in front of a crowd and began performing. Taylor was enrolled in many different talent competitions, including the Apollo Theater National All-Stars talent search, growing up, Taylor had strong influences from Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson. In September 2006, Teyana Taylor was credited as the choreographer on the video for American entertainer Beyoncés hit single. In January 2007, Taylor signed a deal to American recording artist and record producer Pharrell Williams Star Trak Entertainment imprint, in 2007, Taylor appeared in the music video for Jay-Zs single, Blue Magic, where she can be seen dancing and popping. In February 2008, Taylor released her debut single, called Google Me. The song was released as the single for her debut full-length project. The tape features the production from Jazze Pha, Pharrell, Mad Scientist, Frost, Shondre and Hit-Boy, the tape also features a mix of throwback break beats, futuristic boom bap, and melodic renderings is the perfect backdrop for the starlets musical mayhem. Google Me reached at number 90 on the US Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, on August 16,2009, Taylor released her debut mixtape, From a Planet Called Harlem. The tape was released for free download, billed as the mixtape before her debut album. She was filling in as a member of the band, called U. G. L. Y, along with her band-mates such as Mijo, Braxton and Ethan. Released the snippet of their single, called Wasted, in August 2010, Taylor ventured her career into acting, appearing in the sequel of Stomp the Yard, titled Stomp the Yard 2, Homecoming. She also appeared on the episode of House of Glam on Oxygen. In 2010, just hours before Kanye Wests fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, had to be turned in, West called Taylor to the studio to look at some of her fashion pieces
18.
Billboard 200
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The Billboard 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists, often, a recording act will be remembered by its number ones, those of their albums that outperformed all others during at least one week. The chart is based mostly on sales of albums in the United States, the weekly sales period was originally Monday to Sunday when Nielsen started tracking sales in 1991, but since July 2015, tracking week begins on Friday and ends on Thursday. A new chart is published the following Tuesday with an issue post-dated to the Saturday of the following week, the charts streaming schedule is also tracked from Friday to Thursday. Example, Friday January 1 – sales tracking week begins Thursday January 7 – sales tracking week ends Tuesday January 12 – new chart published, New product is released to the American market on Fridays. Digital downloads of albums are included in Billboard 200 tabulation. Albums that are not licensed for sale in the United States are not eligible to chart. As of the issue dated April 15,2017, the album on the Billboard 200 is More Life by Drake. Billboard began an album chart in 1945, initially only five positions long, the album chart was not published on a weekly basis, sometimes three to seven weeks passing before it was updated. A biweekly, 15-position Best-Selling Popular Albums chart appeared in 1955, the position count varied anywhere from 10 to 30 albums. The first number-one album on the new weekly list was Belafonte by Harry Belafonte, the chart was renamed to Best-Selling Pop Albums later in 1956, and then to Best-Selling Pop LPs in 1957. Beginning on May 25,1959, Billboard split the ranking into two charts Best-Selling Stereophonic LPs for stereo albums and Best-Selling Monophonic LPs for mono albums and these were renamed to Stereo Action Charts and Mono Action Charts in 1960. In January 1961, they became Action Albums—Stereophonic and Action Albums—Monophonic, three months later, they became Top LPs—Stereo and Top LPs—Monaural. On August 17,1963 the stereo and mono charts were combined into a 150-position chart called Top LPs, on April 1,1967, the chart was expanded to 175 positions, then finally to 200 positions on May 13,1967. In 1960, Billboard began concurrently publishing album charts which ranked sales of older or mid-priced titles and these Essential Inventory charts were divided by stereo and mono albums, and featured titles that had already appeared on the main stereo and mono album charts. In January 1961, the Action Charts became Action Albums—Monophonic, Albums appeared on either chart for up to nine weeks, then were moved to an Essential Inventory list of approximately 200 titles, with no numerical ranking. This list continued to be published until the consolidated Top LPs chart debuted in 1963, in 1982, Billboard began publishing a Midline Albums chart which ranked older or mid-priced titles. The chart held 50 positions and was published on a bi-weekly basis, on May 25,1991, Billboard premiered the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart
19.
TurboGrafx-16
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It was the first console released in the 16-bit era, albeit still utilizing an 8-bit CPU. Originally intended to compete with the Nintendo Entertainment System, it ended up competing with the Sega Genesis, the TurboGrafx-16 has an 8-bit CPU, a 16-bit video color encoder, and a 16-bit video display controller. The GPUs are capable of displaying 482 colors simultaneously, out of 512, with dimensions of 14 cm×14 cm×3.8 cm, the PC Engine once held the record for the worlds smallest game console. In France, the system was released shortly after its American debut under its original Japanese name, in the United Kingdom, Telegames released a slightly altered version of the American model simply as the TurboGrafx in 1990 in extremely limited quantities. This model was released in Spain through selected retailers. The TurboGrafx-16 failed to break into the North American market and sold poorly, however, in Japan the PC Engine was very successful. Two major revisions, the PC Engine SuperGrafx and the PC Engine Duo, were released in 1989 and 1991, the entire series was succeeded by the PC-FX in 1994, which was only released in Japan. The TurboGrafx-16 was an effort between the relatively young Hudson Soft and NEC Home Electronics. NECs interest in entering the video game market coincided with Hudsons failed attempt to sell designs for then-advanced graphics chips to Nintendo. The TurboGrafx-16 was the first video game console to have a CD-ROM peripheral, NEC released the CD-ROM² in Japan on December 4,1988, and released the TurboGrafx-CD in the United States on August 1,1990. The TurboGrafx-CD had a price of $399.99. Fighting Street and Monster Lair were the TurboGrafx-CD launch titles, Ys Book I & II soon followed, the TurboGrafx-16 was released in the New York City and Los Angeles test market in late August 1989. Initially, the TurboGrafx-16 was marketed as a competitor to the NES and early television ads touted the TG-16s superior graphics. These ads featured a montage of the TG-16s launch titles, Blazing Lazers, China Warrior, Vigilante, Alien Crush. The TG-16 was also in competition with the Sega Genesis. The Genesis launch was accompanied by an ad campaign mocking NECs claim that the TurboGrafx-16 was the first 16-bit console, NEC claimed that it had sold 750,000 TG-16 consoles in the United States, and 500,000 CD-ROM units worldwide, by March 1991. That year NEC released the PC Engine Duo in Japan, a model which could play HuCards and CD-ROM² discs, the console was licensed to Turbo Technologies Incorporated, who released it in North America in 1992 as the TurboDuo. In addition to standard CD-ROM² format discs, the Duo could also play games in the newly introduced Super CD-ROM² format due to its greater RAM size, the unit came into competition with the Sega CD, which was released almost immediately after
20.
Instagram
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In August 2015, version 7.5 was released for mobile devices, allowing users to upload media captured in any aspect ratio, but not at full size. Users can also apply various digital filters to their images, the service rapidly gained popularity, with over 100 million active users as of April 2012 and over 300 million as of December 2014. Support for the app is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Windows 10 devices and Android handsets, while third-party Instagram apps are available for BlackBerry 10, the service was acquired by Facebook in April 2012 for approximately US$1 billion in cash and stock. In 2013, Instagram grew by 23%, while Facebook, as the parent company, Instagram began development in San Francisco, when Systrom and Brazilian Krieger chose to focus their multi-featured HTML5 check-in project, Burbn, on mobile photography. As Krieger reasoned, Burbn became too similar to Foursquare, and for that, Burbn pivoted to become more focused. The word Instagram is a portmanteau of instant camera and telegram, on March 5,2010, Systrom closed a $500,000 seed funding round with Baseline Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz while working on Burbn. Josh Riedel then joined the company as Community Manager, shayne Sweeney joined in November 2010 as an engineer and Jessica Zollman was hired as a Community Evangelist in August 2011. In January 2011, Instagram added hashtags to help users discover both photographs and each other, Instagram encourages users to make tags both specific and relevant, rather than tagging generic words like photo, to make photographs stand out and to attract like-minded Instagram users. In September, version 2.0 went live in the App Store and included new and live filters, instant tilt–shift, high resolution photographs, optional borders, one-click rotation, the deal valued Instagram at around $25 million. On April 3,2012, Instagram was released for Android phones running the 2.2 Froyo version of the OS and that same week, Instagram raised $50 million from venture capitalists for a share of the company, the process valued Instagram at $500 million. Facebook made an offer to purchase Instagram, along with its 13 employees, for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock in April 2012, with a plan to keep the company independently managed. Britains Office of Fair Trading approved the deal on August 14,2012, and on August 22,2012, on September 6,2012, the deal between Instagram and Facebook was officially closed. On April 12,2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for approximately $1 billion in cash, the deal, which was made just prior to Facebooks scheduled IPO, cost about a quarter of Facebooks cash-on-hand, according to figures documented at the end of 2011. Mark Zuckerberg noted that Facebook was committed to building and growing Instagram independently, according to multiple reports, the deal netted Systrom $400 million based on his ownership stake in the business. The exact purchase price was $300 million in cash and 23 million shares of stock, on December 17,2012, Instagram updated its Terms of Service, granting itself the right—starting on January 16, 2013—to sell users photos to third parties without notification or compensation. In January 2013, it was confirmed that Instagram had asked for identification as a form of verification due to unspecified violations. In September 2013, Instagram reaffirmed its commitment to free and open access to its app for users. On October 3,2013, Instagram announced that it would be adding advertising to its platform
21.
Quavo
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Migos is an American hip hop group formed in 2009, from Lawrenceville, Georgia. The group is composed of three rappers, known by their stage names Quavo, Takeoff and Offset, Migos released their commercial debut single Versace, in 2013, taken from their mixtape Y. R. N. They went on to several successful singles, such as Fight Night, Look at My Dab. The group released its debut album Yung Rich Nation, in 2015 and its second album, Culture, was released in January 2017. Migos are managed by Coach K, the manager of prominent Atlanta-based rappers Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy. Migos was formed in 2009, by Quavo, Takeoff and Offset, originally from Lawrenceville, the three members are directly related and were raised together, Quavo is Takeoffs uncle, and Offset is Quavos cousin. The group released their first full-length project, a mixtape titled Juug Season, on August 25,2011 and they followed with the mixtape No Label, on June 1,2012. In 2013, Migos released their breakout single Versace, the single was produced by Zaytoven and peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Later that year, Canadian rapper Drake brought the more recognition when he remixed the song, adding a verse. On June 13, Migos released their mixtape Y. R. N. which features the lead single Versace, to critical acclaim. Brandon Soderberg of Spin gave it 8 out of 10 stars, commenting that it is a super-cut of Dirty South vibes, on June 15,2013, the group performed at rap radio station Hot 107. 9s Birthday Bash. In October 2013, the group was featured in XXLs section Show & Prove, Y. R. N. was named the 27th best album of 2013 and sixth best hip-hop album of 2013 by SPIN. On February 25,2014, Migos released the sequel to their second mixtape, the tape was downloaded over 100,000 times in the first week of its release and was certified gold on popular mixtape sharing site DatPiff. No Label 2 was met generally positive reviews from music critics. Consequence of Sound described it as the mix of raucous party tunes and triumphant rap anthems for your next BBQ or block party. Commented that it is packed with potential hits, vibe also praised the production on the tape, calling it extensive and impressive. On March 14,2014, it was revealed by Migos mixtape Y. R. N,2, that this project has turned out to be a full-fledged album. The trio are looking to put it up for amount of 20 songs on their effort, in June 2014, it was then revealed, that Migos has signed a deal to 300 Entertainment, which is distributed by Atlantic Records
22.
Migos
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Migos is an American hip hop group formed in 2009, from Lawrenceville, Georgia. The group is composed of three rappers, known by their stage names Quavo, Takeoff and Offset, Migos released their commercial debut single Versace, in 2013, taken from their mixtape Y. R. N. They went on to several successful singles, such as Fight Night, Look at My Dab. The group released its debut album Yung Rich Nation, in 2015 and its second album, Culture, was released in January 2017. Migos are managed by Coach K, the manager of prominent Atlanta-based rappers Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy. Migos was formed in 2009, by Quavo, Takeoff and Offset, originally from Lawrenceville, the three members are directly related and were raised together, Quavo is Takeoffs uncle, and Offset is Quavos cousin. The group released their first full-length project, a mixtape titled Juug Season, on August 25,2011 and they followed with the mixtape No Label, on June 1,2012. In 2013, Migos released their breakout single Versace, the single was produced by Zaytoven and peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Later that year, Canadian rapper Drake brought the more recognition when he remixed the song, adding a verse. On June 13, Migos released their mixtape Y. R. N. which features the lead single Versace, to critical acclaim. Brandon Soderberg of Spin gave it 8 out of 10 stars, commenting that it is a super-cut of Dirty South vibes, on June 15,2013, the group performed at rap radio station Hot 107. 9s Birthday Bash. In October 2013, the group was featured in XXLs section Show & Prove, Y. R. N. was named the 27th best album of 2013 and sixth best hip-hop album of 2013 by SPIN. On February 25,2014, Migos released the sequel to their second mixtape, the tape was downloaded over 100,000 times in the first week of its release and was certified gold on popular mixtape sharing site DatPiff. No Label 2 was met generally positive reviews from music critics. Consequence of Sound described it as the mix of raucous party tunes and triumphant rap anthems for your next BBQ or block party. Commented that it is packed with potential hits, vibe also praised the production on the tape, calling it extensive and impressive. On March 14,2014, it was revealed by Migos mixtape Y. R. N,2, that this project has turned out to be a full-fledged album. The trio are looking to put it up for amount of 20 songs on their effort, in June 2014, it was then revealed, that Migos has signed a deal to 300 Entertainment, which is distributed by Atlantic Records
23.
Vic Mensa
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Victor Kwesi Mensah, better known by his stage name Vic Mensa, is a Grammy-nominated American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He is currently signed to Roc Nation and was a member of the group Kids These Days and he released his first solo mixtape Innanetape. Mensa is also founder of the hip-hop collective Savemoney which includes frequent collaborator Chance the Rapper and his debut single Down on My Luck was released in June 2014 by Virgin EMI. Victor Kwesi Mensahs father is from Ghana and his mother is white American, Vic grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. He attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and while a freshman, when announcing a tour for 2015, Mensa said that he has plans to collaborate with Albarn sometimes in the near future. On September 18,2013, it was announced, that Mensa would be joining J. Cole and Wale on the What Dreams May Come Tour. Following the end of the tour, he toured Europe with Danny Brown, for the beginning of February 21,2014, to cap off his rise to stardom, Mensa was chosen to be on the cover of XXL for the Freshman Class of 2014. On May 12,2014, his first official single Down on My Luck was serviced to contemporary radio in the United Kingdom. On the same day, the video for the song was released. Down on My Luck was then released for download in international markets on June 6,2014. It was released as his first single from his debut EP, on February 12,2016, Kanye West debuted a track, titled Wolves from his upcoming album, The Life of Pablo. The song featured Vic Mensa, along with Sia at his adidas Originals showcase, Mensa later performed Wolves alongside West and Sia on Saturday Night Lives 40th Anniversary Celebration on February 15,2015. On April 10,2015, Vic Mensa released another collaboration with Kanye West, the song is said out to be his second single for his upcoming debut album, titled Traffic. On April 21,2015, Roc Nation announced that Vic had signed to its label, Jay also tweeted an iTunes link to Mensas new Kanye-featured single in the process. He has stated, that the album is around 80-90% done, in July 2015, Mensa released a new song, titled No Chill onto Apple Music. It was produced by Skrillex and Jahlil Beats, on the same month, he released a remix of Codeine Crazy, by Future, titled Codeine Crazy on SoundCloud. On August 14,2015, Mensa released a new song, in 2015, Mensa received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 58th Grammy Awards as a songwriter for co-writing Kanye Wests single All Day. On February 8,2016 it was announced that Mensa, along with Travis Scott and iLoveMakonnen, on May 17,2016, Mensa was revealed to have teamed up in the studio with British virtual band Gorillaz to collaborate for a track on the groups upcoming studio album
24.
Big Sean
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Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, known professionally as Big Sean, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Sean signed with Kanye Wests GOOD Music in 2007, Def Jam Recordings in 2008, after releasing a number of mixtapes, Sean released his debut studio album, Finally Famous, in 2011. He released his studio album, Hall of Fame, on August 27,2013. Seans third studio album Dark Sky Paradise was released in 2015, Sean Michael Leonard Anderson was born on March 25,1988 in Santa Monica, California to Myra and James Anderson. When he was 3 months old, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised by his mother, a school teacher and he attended the Detroit Waldorf School and graduated from Cass Technical High School with a 3.7 GPA. Big Sean is often heard saying west side in his songs, he is referring to the west side of his hometown Detroit, in 2005, Kanye West was doing a radio interview at 102.7 FM. Hearing about this, Sean headed over to the station to meet West, initially West was reluctant to hear him, however he gave Sean 16 bars to rap for him. According to Big Sean, West enjoyed his freestyle, As we get to the entrance of the radio station and we stopped in the middle of the doorway. He starts looking at me and bobbing his head, after the freestyle, Sean left West his demo tape. Two years later, West signed Big Sean to GOOD Music, on September 30,2007, Big Sean released his first official mixtape Finally Famous, The Mixtape. His hit single, Getcha Some, produced by WrighTrax, attained media attention and led to articles in The Source and he also recorded a music video for Getcha Some, which was directed by Hype Williams. Sean released a mixtape hosted by Mick Boogie on April 16,2009. It featured the songs Million Dollars, Getcha Some and Supa Dupa, an unauthorized leak of his collaboration with Drake, called Made made its way onto the internet on April 30,2010. In an interview with TheHipHopUpdate. com on May 1, Big Sean expressed his disappointment over the leak, Big Seans official Facebook page confirmed that his debut album Finally Famous & Consequences Cons TV would be released on September 14,2010. On August 31, Big Sean tweeted that the album was not coming out on that day, the albums lead single, My Last, features vocals from Chris Brown and was produced by No I. D. According to Amazon. com, Big Seans Finally Famous was delayed by a week, Big Sean has revealed the cover art for his G. O. O. D. Music debut and explained that the one-week pushback was to be blamed on sample, the official track list was revealed on June 7. Finally Famous, Seans debut studio album, was released June 28,2011, and spawned three hit singles, My Last, Marvin & Chardonnay and Dance
25.
Tyler, the Creator
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Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, and music video director. Okonma creates all the artwork for the releases and designs the groups clothing. After releasing his debut album Goblin under XL Recordings, in April 2011, he signed a joint venture deal for him and his label Odd Future Records, with RED Distribution and Sony Music Entertainment. Following that he released his studio album Wolf, which was met with generally positive reviews. He has his own clothing company, called Golf Wang, started in 2011, and he runs his own streaming service Golf Media, Camp Flog Gnaw streams there yearly and contains original scripted series from Tyler himself. Okonma was born in Ladera Heights, California, to a Nigerian father and he has said that he has never met his father, and spent his early life living in the communities of Ladera Heights and Hawthorne, California. At the age of seven, he would take the cover out of an albums case, at the age of 14, he taught himself to play the piano. In his 12 years of schooling, he attended 12 different schools in the Los Angeles and he worked at FedEx for just under two weeks, and Starbucks for over two years. On December 25,2009, Tyler self-released his first mixtape, the mixtape was eventually ranked 32nd on Pitchfork Medias list of the Top Albums of 2010. On February 11,2011, Tyler released the video for Yonkers, the first single from his second album, Goblin. The video has received attention from online media outlets. An extended version with a third verse can be purchased on iTunes, after the release of Yonkers, Tyler announced that he had signed a one-album deal with XL Recordings. Tyler and fellow OF member Hodgy Beats made their debut on February 16,2011 when they performed Sandwitches on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. On March 16, Tyler and Hodgy performed Yonkers and Sandwitches on the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards, Goblin was released on May 10,2011. During an interview with Tyler for Interview, Waka Flocka Flame expressed his interest in collaborating with the Odd Future frontman to direct a video for him. Tyler first mentioned the album in early 2010 saying that he would have an album titled Wolf, in early 2011 he told fans through his Formspring account that his third album would be called Wolf and it was scheduled to be released in May 2012. The album will continue Tylers sessions with his fictional therapist, Dr. TC, as hinted by the track on his first album, Bastard. Tylers third album Wolf, released on April 2,2013, in August 2011, Tyler said that the album will be more focused on beats and have less rapping
26.
Sacramento, California
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Sacramento is the capital city of the U. S. state of California and the seat of Sacramento County. It is at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the portion of Californias expansive Central Valley. Its estimated 2014 population of 485,199 made it the sixth-largest city in California, Sacramento is the cultural and economic core of the Sacramento metropolitan area, which includes seven counties with a 2010 population of 2,414,783. In 2002, the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University conducted for Time magazine named Sacramento Americas Most Diverse City, Sacramento became a city through the efforts of the Swiss immigrant John Sutter, Sr. his son John Augustus Sutter, Jr. and James W. Marshall. Sacramento grew quickly thanks to the protection of Sutters Fort, which was established by Sutter in 1839, the city was named after the Sacramento River, which forms its western border. The river was named by Spanish cavalry officer Gabriel Moraga for the Santísimo Sacramento, California State University, Sacramento, is the largest university in the city and one of 23 campuses in the California State University system. University of the Pacific is a university with one of its three campuses in Sacramento. In addition, the University of California, Davis, located in nearby Davis, operates its UC Davis Medical Center, nisenan and Plains Miwok Native Americans had lived in the area for perhaps thousands of years. Unlike the settlers who would eventually make Sacramento their home, these Native Americans left little evidence of their existence. Traditionally, their diet was dominated by acorns taken from the oak trees in the region, and by fruits, bulbs, seeds. In 1808, the Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga discovered and named the Sacramento Valley, a Spanish writer with the Moraga expedition wrote, Canopies of oaks and cottonwoods, many festooned with grapevines, overhung both sides of the blue current. Birds chattered in the trees and big fish darted through the pellucid depths, the air was like champagne, and drank deep of it, drank in the beauty around them. The valley and the river were then christened after the Most Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, John Sutter first arrived on August 13,1839 at the divergence of the American and Sacramento Rivers with a Mexican land grant of 50,000 acres. The next year, he and his party established Sutters Fort, representing Mexico, Sutter called his colony New Helvetia, a Swiss inspired name, and was the political authority and dispenser of justice in the new settlement. Soon, the colony began to grow as more and more pioneers headed west, within just a few short years, John Sutter had become a grand success, owning a ten-acre orchard and a herd of thirteen thousand cattle. Fort Sutter became a stop for the increasing number of immigrants coming through the valley. In 1847, Sutter hired James Marshall to build a sawmill so that he could continue to expand his empire, Sutter received 2,000 fruit trees in 1847, which started the agriculture industry in the Sacramento Valley. In 1848, when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutters Mill in Coloma and he hired topographical engineer William H
27.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
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The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a hospital located on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, United States. It is currently ranked the 5th best hospital in the United States by US News, the hospitals emergency department is certified as a level I trauma center for adults and pediatrics. Collectively, the hospitals and specialty-care facilities of the UCLA Health System make it among the most comprehensive and it is rated as one of the top five hospitals in the United States and is the top hospital on the West Coast according to US News & World Report. The hospital has been ranked in the top twenty in 15 of the 16 medical specialties ranked by the US News ranking, ten of those specialties were ranked in the top ten. In 2005, the American Nurses Credentialing Center granted the medical center Magnet status, on June 29,2008, the new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center opened and became fully operational, replacing the older facilities across the street. The older hospital complex had suffered moderate interior structural damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, originally budgeted at $598 million in 1998, construction began in 1999 and was completed in 2004. Cost overruns and construction delays attributed to rising costs and design changes due to medical advances resulted in the price of the building increasing to $829 million. Equipment purchased for the new building increased the total cost to over $1 billion, the Federal Emergency Management Agency contributed $432 million in earthquake relief funds to the project, and the state of California contributed $44 million. Private donations raised over $300 million for the project, including $150 million in President Reagans name, the new building was constructed to withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, one of the first buildings in California built to the most recent seismic standards. The new 1,050, 000-square-foot hospital is named after the late President of the United States, the hospital will contain fewer patient beds than the one it replaces. The travertine elements were fastened to a sophisticated interlocking panelized aluminum cladding system developed by Benson Industries of Portland, the building envelope is designed to resist and survive severe seismic events and maintain excellent resistance to air and water infiltration. The older center itself is a sprawling 11-story brick building designed by Welton Becket and it is considered a landmark of early modern architecture. The center was built in phases, the first of which was completed in 1953. The hospital has a layout of intersecting wings, creating a series of courtyards throughout the complex. The first floor is unusual in that most of its walls are clad in a thick layer of naturally-weathered, unfilled, travertine. The exterior architecture is simple, consisting of a red brick wall with horizontal bands of stainless-steel louvers over the windows to keep direct sunlight from heating the building. Some of the old complex will be torn down, and some of it will be renovated and turned into space when it is no longer an operational hospital. The law does not require that all parts of a hospital be made earthquake-safe, much of the extensive travertine wall cladding from the buildings interior will most likely be salvaged and re-used
28.
Wyoming
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Wyoming /waɪˈoʊmɪŋ/ is a state in the mountain region of the western United States. The state is the tenth largest by area, the least populous, Wyoming is bordered on the north by Montana, on the east by South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado, on the southwest by Utah, and on the west by Idaho. Cheyenne is the capital and the most populous city in Wyoming, the state population was estimated at 586,107 in 2015, which is less than the population of 31 of the largest U. S. cities. The Crow, Arapaho, Lakota, and Shoshone were some of the inhabitants of the region. Southwestern Wyoming was included in the Spanish Empire and then Mexican territory until it was ceded to the United States in 1848 at the end of the Mexican–American War. The region acquired the name Wyoming when a bill was introduced to Congress in 1865 to provide a government for the territory of Wyoming. The territory was named after the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, with the name ultimately being derived from the Munsee word xwé, wamənk, the mineral extraction industry—especially coal, oil, natural gas, and trona—along with the travel and tourism sector are the main drivers behind Wyomings economy. Agriculture has historically been an important component of the economy with the main commodities being livestock, hay, sugar beets, grain. The climate is generally semi-arid and continental, being drier and windier in comparison to the rest of the United States, except for the 1964 election, Wyoming has been a politically conservative state since the 1950s, with the Republican party winning every presidential election. Wyoming is one of three states to have borders along only straight latitudinal and longitudinal lines, rather than being defined by natural landmarks. Wyoming is bordered on the north by Montana, on the east by South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado, on the southwest by Utah, and on the west by Idaho. It is the tenth largest state in the United States in total area, from the north border to the south border it is 276 miles, and from the east to the west border is 365 miles at its south end and 342 miles at the north end. The Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming, the state is a great plateau broken by many mountain ranges. Surface elevations range from the summit of Gannett Peak in the Wind River Mountain Range, at 13,804 feet, to the Belle Fourche River valley in the states northeast corner, at 3,125 feet. In the northwest are the Absaroka, Owl Creek, Gros Ventre, Wind River, in the north central are the Big Horn Mountains, in the northeast, the Black Hills, and in the southern region the Laramie, Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges. The Snowy Range in the central part of the state is an extension of the Colorado Rockies in both geology and appearance. The Wind River Range in the west central part of the state is remote and includes more than 40 mountain peaks in excess of 13,000 ft tall in addition to Gannett Peak, the highest peak in the state. The Big Horn Mountains in the central portion are somewhat isolated from the bulk of the Rocky Mountains
29.
Pete Rock
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Peter Phillips, better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth. After the duo went their ways, Rock continued with a solo career that has garnered him worldwide respect. Along with groups such as Stetsasonic, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots and his family moved to Mount Vernon, New York when he was seven years old. During high school, he met his future recording partner CL Smooth, according to Rock, his father was also a part-time DJ who had an impressive record collection. Rock would often accompany his father to a club called Wembley in The Bronx. His first job was as a paperboy, in his neighborhood and his first major exposure to the hip-hop audience was in 1987 with Marley Marl, as a DJ on New Yorks WBLS radio show In Control With Marley Marl. Propelled by the growth of his popularity, he began producing in 1989, in 1991, he joined with CL Smooth to release the EP All Souled Out. The following year saw Mecca and the Soul Brother, the first of two albums, released to critical acclaim and hailed as a classic by many. Pete Rock and CL Smooth were first signed to Elektra Records, managed, Pete Rock was one of the original three Untouchables producers along with Eddie F himself and Nevelle Hodge. I. G. Pete and CL followed up Mecca in 1994 with The Main Ingredient, like its predecessor, The Main Ingredient also received wide critical acclaim. However, soon after the release, the duo split and went their separate ways. In 1995, he formed the group INI, with Grap Luva, Rob-O, the trio recorded an album, Center of Attention, which was heavily bootlegged and remained unreleased until 2003, when BBE Records picked it up for distribution. The release of album was coupled with another previously unreleased mid-1990s Pete Rock-produced album. In 1996, he appeared on the Red Hot Organizations compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside Wu-Tang Clan, Coolio, the CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as a masterpiece by The Source magazine. After being dropped from the Loud imprint, Rock signed with Rapster/BBE under his own label Soul Brother Records, the album did however feature two additional 2001 songs that featured the vocals from The UN. An expanded and revisited version of the album was released less than one year later, Smooth, Freddie Foxxx and Nature separately. Since then he has continued releasing albums including 2004s Soul Survivor II
