Ballerific Music

Nine years ago today, rapper T.I. released his sixth studio album ‘Paper Trail’ on Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records.   The title of the album is befitting for what the Atlanta native was experiencing at the time. Tip began writing for the album as he awaited trial for federal …

There has been a lot going in the world within the last month with natural disasters. We have seen Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Harvey, earthquakes, and more destroy homes and communities. To help support those that were affected, Queen Bey has collaborated with J. Balvin and Willy William on the remix …

On Sept. 28, 2002, Nelly’s hit song “Dilemma” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the 7th consecutive week.   Released on his second album ‘Nellyville,’ the song was a duet featuring former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland.   The song was an instant success, reaching number …

23 years ago today, Chicago rapper Common released one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, “I Used to Love H.E.R.” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Released on his 1994 album ‘Resurrection,’ “I Used to Love H.E.R.” is one of Common’s most influential tracks to date. Its authentic hip-hop feel with a …

On this day, twelve years ago, rapper Lil’ Kim released her fourth album ‘The Naked Truth.’ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Ironically, the album was released on the first day of Kim’s sentencing, where she served nearly a year in jail on perjury charges. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ With the same grit and hardcore lyrics …

17 years ago today, rapper Shyne released his self-titled debut album on Bad Boy Records. The release of the album was highly anticipated due to the similarities in Shyne and another Bad Boy member, Notorious B.I.G.’s flow.   Shyne was also in the press after being convicted in June 2000, …

On Sept. 25, 1991, rapper 2Pac released a single from his debut album ‘2Pacalypse Now’ titled “Trapped.”   Though the song was released over twenty years ago, the subject still holds true in today’s society. Through his impeccable storytelling, 2Pac tells the story of police brutality that people of color …

Cardi B has officially accomplished a feat that has not been accomplished since 1998. The regular, degular, shmegular girl from the Bronx beat out one of the biggest pop stars in the world to snag the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The raptress became the first …

26 years ago today, the famous rap group A Tribe Called Quest released their sophomore album ‘The Low End Theory’. After a highly successful first album, there were many questions about ATCQ’s concerns about the ‘Sophomore Jinx’, but for group members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White, …

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ One year ago today, the world lost Atlanta native and rapper Shawty Lo. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Born Carlos Rico Walker, Shawty Lo got his start in music in 2003 as a founding member of the rap group D4L. Alongside other group members, Fabo, Mook-B and Stoney, the group had much success …

23 years ago to date, rapper Craig Mack released his debut studio album, ‘Project: Funk da World’. As the second album release on Bad Boy Records, released just one week after The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ready to Die’, Mack’s album was a major success eventually reaching Gold-RIAA sales.   The album’s …

17 years ago on Sep. 19, 2000, Harlem rapper Cam’ron released his second studio album ‘S.D.E. (Sports, Drugs & Entertainment).’ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The album, originally titled “The Rough, Rough, Rough Album,” was intended to be released in 1999, but due to the date being pushed back, more songs were able to …

Cardi B is well on her way to having one of her biggest years to date. As the Summer smash, “Bodak Yellow” reaches new heights on the Billboard 100 chart, peaking at No. 2, the Bronx rapper is one spot away from making history. ⠀⠀⠀ Over the weekend, radio hosts and …

On Sept. 18, 2004, Terror Squad’s hit song ‘Lean Back’ peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart for the 6th week in a row. ⠀⠀ Released as the second single of the group’s album ‘True Story’, ‘Lean Back’ featured verses from rappers Fat Joe and Remy Ma. …

On September 16, 1979, Sugar Hill Gang introduced the rest of the world to a new sound that would change music forever. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ With the release of ‘Rapper’s Delight’, hip-hop became a mainstream genre, introducing people all over the world to the sounds that were once only familiar to …