Graduation is the third studio album by American hip hop artist
Kanye West, released September 11, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records.
The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 957,000 copies in its first week. The coinciding release dates of Graduation and rapper 50 Cent's Curtis generated much publicity over the idea of a sales competition, resulting in record-breaking sales performances by both albums. Graduation received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned West several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The album has sold 2,166,000 copies in the U.S. and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper
Lil Wayne, released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 1,005,545 copies in its first week. It reached sales of 2.88 million copies by the end of 2008 and produced four singles that achieved chart success, including the international hit "Lollipop" and Billboard hits "A Milli", "Got Money", and "Mrs. Officer". Upon its release, Tha Carter III received general acclaim from most music critics and earned Lil Wayne several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 51st Grammy Awards. It has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 3.5 million copies in the United States.
Paper Trail is the sixth studio album by American hip hop artist
T.I., released September 30, 2008 on Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 568,000 copies in its first week, becoming T.I.'s highest debut sales to date, and the fourth highest debut of the year. The album was eventually certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on August 27, 2009. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, and is T.I.'s most successful album to date. The album spawned four singles, all of which reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, two peaking at number one.
Thank Me Later is the debut studio album of Canadian recording artist
Drake, released June 15, 2010, on Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records.
Thank Me Later features a predominantly sparse, downbeat production and contains subjective lyrics concerning themes of fame, self-examination, and love.
The album received positive reviews from most music critics, earning praise for Drake's introspective lyrics and receiving musical comparisons to the works of hip hop artists Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Following an anticipated release, it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 447,000 copies in the United States in its first week. It reached platinum certification in Canada within its debut week and produced three singles that attained chart success. The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, with shipments of one million copies in the United States.
Recovery is the seventh studio album by American rapper
Eminem, released June 18, 2010 on Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 741,000 copies in its first week in the United States. It also charted at number one in several other countries, and produced three singles that achieved chart success, including the Billboard hit "No Love" and international hits "Not Afraid" and "Love the Way You Lie". Despite some criticism regarding its consistency, Recovery received positive reviews from most music critics, who complimented Eminem's rapping and performance on the album, and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. It was the second best-selling album of 2010 and has sold 5.7 million copies worldwide.
Pink Friday is the debut studio album by Trinidadian hip hop recording artist
Nicki Minaj, released on November 19, 2010 through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown. The album was preceded by the singles "Your Love" and "Right thru Me" which were released in June and September 2010, respectively. In addition, a previously released joint single between American rapper will.i.am and Minaj, "Check It Out", appears on the album. A third single, "Moment 4 Life", features Canadian rapper Drake and was released in December 2010.
Pink Friday debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of 375,000 copies. It has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold 1,081,000 copies in the United States.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by American hip hop artist
Kanye West, released November 22, 2010 on Roc-A-Fella Records.
Following a hiatus from his music career, West worked on the album through a communal development that involved him and various other musicians and producers contributing collectively to the album's music.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 496,000 copies in its first week in the United States. It achieved respectable international charting and produced three singles that attained chart success, including US Billboard hits "Power", "Monster", and "Runaway". Upon its release, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy received general acclaim from music critics, earning praise for its varied musical style, opulent production quality, and West's dichotomous themes. It was also named the best album of 2010 in numerous critics' polls and year-end lists. The album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold 1,015,000 copies in the US.
