An unofficial special edition to ‘90s R&B songstress Adina Howard’s unreleased sophomore album “Welcome to Fantasy Island” (1997). The album spawned two singles ahead of its scheduled summer ’97 release date. The first being “(Freak) And U Know It”, featuring production by DJ Quik and a racy music video which had a mild run on BET during its prime. The other being the sensually laced number “T-Shirt and P**ties”, featuring guest vocals by Oscar winning actor Jamie Foxx, which additionally landed a feature in the Jada Pinkett-led comedy flick “Woo” – and was later granted an official remix helming vocal support from then-unknown hip-hop rhymers Cam’ron and Charli Baltimore. Although the single “Freak” was managing to chart on both Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at decent rankings, its run was severed due in part by drama stirring among Adina, Brandy and Elektra Records CEO Sylvia Rhone. Just before the scheduled release of “Fantasy Island”, Adina took to a New York radio show to address the three-party feud and reportedly had “choice words” for both Rhone and Brandy which later got back to Rhone’s office resulting in “Fantasy” to be shelved. Plans to put out two other singles (“69”, “Crank Me Up”, featuring Missy Elliott) were also scrapped, however “Crank” would end up being recycled per Adina’s officially released second album “The Second Coming” (2004). In 2021, the masters of “Welcome to Fantasy Island” were bought by Rhino Records; and after 24 long years in the vault, the album would finally see the light of day via digital retailers worldwide. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Welcome To My Queendom (Intro) 2.) (Freak) And U Know It 3.) Personal Freak (feat. Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) 4.) All About U 5.) Crank Me Up (feat. Missy Elliott) 6.) Sexual Needs (Cum Inside) 7.) Could've Got Away 8.) Another Level (Interlude) 9.) T-Shirt & Panties (Remix) ft. Charli Baltimore, Cam’ron 10.) I’ll Be Damned If I Apologize (feat. K-Ci of K-Ci & JoJo) 11.) Don't Cum Too Fast 12.) Take Me Home 13.) Lay Him Down 14.) Ain't No Need 15.) Satisfied (Outro) 16.) Swerve On (feat. Menajahtwa) 17.) (Freak) And U Know It (Vybe Remix) 18.) T-Shirt & Panties (feat. Jamie Foxx)

An unofficial deluxe edition to Timbaland-affiliated act and super underrated hip-hop trio 1 Life 2 Live’s unreleased self-titled debut album (2000). Formed in 1997 by lead member and Bronx, NY deejay Juan “Red Handed” Cordova, 1 Life 2 Live would consist of the disc-spinning New Yorker alongside his fellow next-door neighbors John “Rambo” Arias and Tanya “Babe Blue” Garcia, whom both had strong passions of embarking on rap careers. Showcasing their unique flow on an appearance via a DJ LS One tape, the trio collected notoriety from street crowds and underground rap fanatics for their gritty, alternative style. As time elapsed, the three-team squad would sign to LaFace Records and make their commercial debut as a guest feature on superproducer Timbaland’s single “Can’t Nobody”, as ripped from his solo debut project “Tim’s Bio: Life from da Bassment” (1998). When the song began to started to climb on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs, a video was shot in place for the single to intensify its hype and popularity and later would go on to receive moderate rotation on BET and its sister channel BET Hip-Hop. Following the visual’s release, 1 Life 2 Live was invited to perform on ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ and later caught the attention of female rap titan Foxy Brown. The raptress would then go on to include the group as supporting performers in various concert venues she and her team held overseas (most notably in Japan) to evoke further exposure of the group’s presence. Once the buzz was attained, 1 Life began composing material for their forthcoming debut. Picks for a lead single however led to conflict between the group and record label chairman L.A. Reid, who argued that the collective utilize the Timbaland-produced “Keep Movin’” since the threesome had already established a preceding Timbaland number in the market. Each member retaliated and felt that other songs should be considered in its place; reaching middle ground, “Never Fall in Love with Hoes” was chosen but received little support from radio and listeners. Further issues stemmed from 1 Life 2 Live wanting specific guests on their album, most notably Eminem being requested as an immediate stand-out feature; yet again, hurdles arose when the label head denied the motion and cited “expensive label fees” for the omission of the ‘Slim Shady’ lyricist. Making matters worse, in the middle of the album’s production, 1 Life 2 Live’s debut was shelved due to complications arising from L.A. Reid stepping down from LaFace to overtake Arista Records. Thereafter, the three-star unit dissolved but remained best friends in supporting one another’s endeavors. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Not a Game (Intro) 2.) Blind Love 3.) Never Fall in Love with Hoes (Dirty/Explicit Version) 4.) Can’t Nobody (feat. Timbaland) 5.) Hunt’s Point (Interlude) 6.) Esta Loca (feat. Beatnuts & D-Dot) 7.) Shysty Broads (feat. Erika Kaine, Lady May & Mashonda) 8.) The Buzzer 9.) Throw It Up Y’all 10.) You Don’t Know 11.) Keep Movin’ (feat. Timbaland) 12.) Storm Troopers 13.) Sacrafice (feat. Ja Rule, Black Rob, Nature & Uneek) 14.) Hot Tonight (feat. Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes/N*E*R*D) 15.) Grimey (feat. Lil’ Kim & Lil Shanice) 16.) All About Babe Blue (Interlude) 17.) Show Love 18.) Outro 19.) Flaunt It (feat. Angie Martinez) 20.) Shysty Broads (Demo Version) ft. Lady May, Erika Kaine, Mashonda 21.) Out of My Hands 22.) The Best (feat. Guy) 23.) Something Good (feat. Goodie Mob) 24.) Never Fall in Love with Hoes (Clean/Amended Radio Edit)

Complete collection of known songs recorded a little before and during the era of slain one-third diamond-selling R&B girl group TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’ shelved, unfinished second solo album “N.I.N.A.: New Identity Non-Applicable” (2002). The project is rumored to have entered production as early as the fourth quarter of 2001, following the upsetting last-minute decision by her previous label in shelving Lopes’ solo debut album “Supernova” (2001) in the states. Around this time, Lopes had migrated to deceased hip-hop giant 2Pac’s home label Death Row Records, where she had composed moderate quantities of musical material in composition of the debut’s follow-up, tentatively titled “N.I.N.A.: New Identity Non-Applicable”. Lopes had then adopted a different stage name (N.I.N.A.) and showcased her new look during a January 22, 2002 taping on BET’s ‘106 & Park’ with Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. It is believed circa the early break of spring that Lopes wanted to recruit big names on the album, most notably pop icon David Bowie. However, further plans failed to materialize, when on April 25, 2002, Lisa was killed in an automobile wreck during her overseas spiritual retreat in Honduras. Following her death, labelmate Kurupt took to ‘MTV News’ to reveal that he and producers from his camp would finish the album by recruiting additional help from Lisa’s contemporaries, specifically Missy Elliott, whom Kurupt noted that she and Lopes had a “tight bond” and it would make sense to add her as a producer or feature since they were “real close” prior to Lopes’ passing. Suge Knight would later come forward to relay that he had plans to finish the album in due time and ready its release sometime in October 2002; however, due to unspecified reasons, the CD never came out as promised. Fans would not get much of an update on the project until 2011 when a rare CD-R pressing of the project circulated online and then finally leak in full 6 years later coincidentally on the 15th anniversary of Lisa’s passing. It remains unknown if the direction of the album was to be truly a remixed form of “Supernova” featuring her Death Row peers, or if it was to follow a totally different route. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) N.I.N.A. (Intro) 2.) Block Party (feat. Eastwood & Alicia “4Bia” Cherry) 3.) Life (feat. Danny Boy & Eastwood) 4.) Universal Quest (feat. Esthero & Crooked I) 5.) Let Me Live (feat. Crooked I) 6.) Rags 2 Riches (feat. Kurupt) 7.) Untouchable, Part 2 (feat. 2Pac) 8.) I Believe In Me 9.) Hot Lanta (feat. Kurupt & Juvenile) 10.) Tru Confessions (feat. Angela Hunte) 11.) Too Street 4 T.V. (feat. Danny Boy) 12.) Let ‘Em Have It (feat. 2Pac) 13.) Friends (feat. Danny Boy, Kurupt & Cassandra of Changing Faces) 14.) Cherry, Cherry (feat. Drick) [**] 15.) Ease Back (feat. D.R.I.P. da Gumph) [**] 16.) What’s Up (Unfinished Official 1998 Remix) ft. DeDe O’Neal [**] 17.) Too Street 4 T.V. (Original Mix) ft. Ray J 18.) Crush on You (introducing Ejypt) [*] [*] = denotes track being the definite final recording in Left Eye’s lifetime; session took place in Honduras circa April 2002. [**] = denotes track(s) rumored to be part of Left Eye's very first unreleased solo project "Fantasy1.com" (1998).

Celebrating her legacy 25 years on, here is a fan-gathered upload of Babygirl's unfinished compilation "The Aaliyah Duets" (2007 – 2012). A little history on this shelved posthumous effort... in October 2001, a second posthumous album was announced by Aaliyah’s brother Rashad (World Entertainment News Network, WENN). Missy Elliott relayed to BBC’s Radio 1 in December of 2001 that she was unaware of the project, stating: "I don’t know about a tribute album, you know, not to my knowledge. But if they are gonna do it I’m quite sure that me and Timbaland will be the first to know aside from her mother and her brother. Anything that is a tribute and in keeping her legacy alive I’ll be a part of it anyway.” By fall 2002, Missy & Aaliyah's immediate family met agreeable terms and confirmed that a duets album was on the way; Missy told MTV, “You gonna hear a new Aaliyah album... right now we're working on getting the artists together. She has a lot of songs she didn't put on the Aaliyah album, so hopefully we're going to get the artists to come in and sing the other verse on a song and keep one of her verses so it'll be like a collaboration thing. I don't have an exact time frame on it because it's a lot of artists we're trying to get for it, but it'll be soon.” Additionally, talks of Rashad restoring Aaliyah's shelved 'Queen of the Damned' soundtrack material was in consideration. Early 2005 welcomed an array of unreleased Aaliyah tracks via internet. Among them included "Where Could He Be" (feat. Missy Elliott & Tweet) being sent to radio as a "buzz single" for the "Duets". Soon as the song picked up heavier airplay (peaking at 120 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs), Aaliyah's label demanded stations to remove the song, insisting it had got out way too early before its intended release; the song consequentially never saw the light of day again. Making matters worse, the anticipated "Aaliyah Duets" would suffer long delays due to lawsuit battles between Aaliyah's immediate fam & her uncle Barry over the control of the deceased singer’s estate. Further lawsuits extended into the late 2000s from Aaliyah's ex-labelmates Toni Braxton, Timbaland and JoJo. It wouldn’t be until March 4, 2012, when producer J-Dub revealed in a now-deleted tweet that the duet project was revived; however, Rashad refuted the claims releasing an official statement online that read: "No album is being released or supported by the Aaliyah family”. Later that month, Drake was in negotiations with the label to seek sole involvement of producing a posthumous Aaliyah album. The following month, Timbaland recounted to sources, "If Drake do it, it should be with me and him and Missy. The best decision, what the fans would want to see, is all three of us. It can’t be something to make money off of ’cause I think it’s wrong to make money off the dead.” In August 2012, "Enough Said" (feat. Drake) was officially released to the public; however, the track faced an amount of criticism from music reviewers alongside Ginuwine and the late DMX, questioning the absence of Missy Elliott and Timbaland's involvement in the song. In the following days of the song’s release, Aaliyah's cousin Jomo alleged Missy & Tim would still be involved in the album; however, it would only be two tracks. On August 13, 2012, Missy Elliott's manager Mona Scott refuted Jomo's claims, quoting “Although Missy and Timbaland always strive to keep the memory of their close friend alive, we have not been contacted about the project nor are there any plans at this time to participate [...] both are very sensitive to the loss still being felt by the family so we wanted to clear up any misinformation being circulated.” Further confusion ensued when Rashad announced via official Aaliyah Facebook page: "There is no legitimate album being released and supported by the Aaliyah family." On September 18, 2012, Missy Elliott broke her silence and shared to Hot 97: "I have to respect [Aaliyah’s] family, and until they come and say they’re ready to do an Aaliyah album then I don’t really want to get into that because it’s very sensitive [...] very, very touchy. Unless her parents came in and conducted that." By November 2012, the whereabouts of the posthumous "Aaliyah Duets" album fell under the shadows once more. And to this very day, the unfinished LP remains locked away in the vault. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Time, Part 1 (Intro) ft. Timbaland 2.) More than a Woman (AudioSavage Mix) ft. Whitney Houston, Pharrell 3.) Tellin’ Lies 2 Me (feat. Chi-Chi) 4.) Are U That Somebody? (feat. M.I.A. & Mr. Vegas) 5.) Don’t Think They Know (feat. Digital Black of Playa) 6.) Don’t Let Me Fool Ya (feat. Playa) 7.) Danc’n (feat. E.T. Selfish & Digital Black of Playa) 8.) Quit Hatin’ (feat. Timbaland) 9.) Rock the Boat (feat. Mary J. Blige & Sean Paul) 10.) 4 Page Letter (feat. Ginuwine) 11.) Queen Bee (feat. Lil’ Kim) 12.) Night Riders (9th Wonder Mix) ft. Boot Camp Clik 13.) We Need a Resolution (feat. 2Pac) 14.) Girlfriends (feat. Yaushameen Michael of Southernaire All-Stars) 15.) If Your Girl Only Knew (feat. Jay Z & Foxy Brown) 16.) Where Could He Be? (feat. Missy Elliott & Tweet) 17.) Death of a Playa (feat. Rashad Haughton) 18.) Round-N-Round (feat. Ne-Yo) 19.) One in a Million (feat. Kelis) 20.) Try Again (sk8brd kee’s Neptunes Mix) 21.) Best Friend (feat. Missy Elliott & J. Cole) 22.) Charge It to the Game (feat. Playa) 23.) La-La-La (feat. Barry White) 24.) Rock the Boat (Unfinished, Official 2001 Remix) 25.) Giving Up 26.) Shit'z Gon’ Change 27.) Committed (Demo) ft. Changing Faces 28.) F**kin’ Around w/ U 29.) Ain’t Never (feat. Outsiderz 4 Life) 30.) Time, Part 2 (Outro) ft. Future, Snoop Dogg 31.) Steady Ground (feat. Static Major of Playa)

Former J Records recording rap star Shells seems to be lost in obscurity these days. But no worries as we at Obscure Sounds proceed to shine the light on this underrated up-north spitter. Following his successful run as an underground battle rapper, the New York-bred MC caught the attention of talent scouts at J Records looking for fresh unsigned hype, and Shells was their winning pick. After hopping on his labelmates’ remixes (Lyric’s “Episode”, Mario’s “Just a Friend 2002”), Shells pieced together a profound cohesive body of work entitled “Welcome to Times Square”, geared for a late 2004 drop. Despite hype garnered from the single “Why I Love You” being featured in the Samuel L. Jackson-, Ashanti-starring drama flick “Coach Carter” (2005) and its many other singles circulating on radio ahead of the effort’s planned release, “Welcome to Times Square” was frustratingly shelved. More than likely, the album’s unreleased state was an aftereffect from J Records dealing with conflicting merging business deals among RCA and Arista. Still, this did not at all stop the album from being leaked online to YouTube and white label vinyls. Here is an imagined track-listing for the project: 1.) Ladies & Gentlemen 2.) Pull Over (feat. Mashonda) 3.) U a Gangsta 4.) Bronx Connection (feat. Remy Ma) 5.) Frontin’ 6.) Imagine That 7.) Put Ya X Up 8.) I’m So BX (feat. Remy Ma, Drag-On & Liveson) 9.) I’m Laughin’ 10.) When We Met (feat. Lumidee) 11.) Catchin’ Feelings (feat. Anthony Hamilton) 12.) We Can’t Lose (feat. Styles P) 13.) What We Do (Freestyle) 14.) Difference 15.) Over the Top (feat. Grafh) 16.) Internationally Known/Throwback Freestyle 17.) Why I Love You 18.) I Bet It’s Gonna Pop 19.) Get Your Roll On 20.) They Wanna Spit Like... 21.) No Problem (feat. Remy Ma) 22.) Watch 23.) Shorty 24.) Neglected

Check out a collection of songs recorded during the era of one-third SWV member Coko's shelved sophomore album "Music Doll" (2001). The project was led by the buzz single "Think" which circulated underground on mixtapes and according to an article by Sister2Sister magazine, "Music Doll" was due to enlist production by The Neptunes, Missy Elliott and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Additional fun facts: "Think" was set to feature an official remix by BET's '106 & Park' hostess Free if the song did strong numbers on the chart, since it did not, the remix never materialized. Secondly, one deep album cut "Amazin'" was recycled and re-recorded by LL Cool J for his "10" album (2002), retaining Coko's original vocals (mixed with Jennifer Lopez's demo singer Kandice Love) as backgrounds on the newly recorded version. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Happily Forever After 2.) Ghetto Girl 3.) Gotta Hold Over Me (Easy Lover) 4.) Tears in Heaven (feat. Lady Tibba) 5.) Think 6.) My Girls 7.) Untitled [*] 8.) Triflin' (Swizz Beatz Remix) (featuring Sean Cross) [**] [*] = likely recorded in the 2010s, once thought to be "Let Him Go" (featuring Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child & Kameelah "Meelah" Williams of 702) [**] = bonus track; recorded during the "Hot Coko" (1999) era.

Little is known of Canadian R&B singer Glenn Lewis’ unreleased third album “Remember Me” (2007). What has been confirmed is that the only semi-official single off the effort included the slightly viral cut “Storm” (produced by Missy Elliott associate Nisan Stewart) which circulated via the internet as early as 2006. Beyond the acknowledgement of the album’s single and production being spearheaded by hitmaking crew The Underdogs (alongside Lewis being signed to the unit’s label) further info is scarce on the background of “Remember Me”. However, one other keynote hailing from Lewis’ 2012 interview with music site YouKnowIGotSoul revealed that the “Don’t You Forget It” crooner’s third outing suffered the similar curse as his preceding project (“Back for More”); elaborating that “Remember” got canned due to the nature of missed “timing”. Though, he would go on to share that he parted ways with The Underdogs on amicable terms. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Relax 2.) Last Night 3.) Don’t Worry 4.) I Surrender 5.) It’s Just Like 6.) Remember Me 7.) Sweatin’ 8.) Nothing I Can Say 9.) The Reason 10.) House on a Beach 11.) I Can’t Live without You 12.) Storm 13.) Stay with Me

Partial collection of songs taken from former Murda Inc. signee Vita’s shelved debut album “La Dolce Vita” (2003). The album was preceded by the 2000 buzz single “Vita, Vita, Vita”, featuring guest vocals by Ja Rule, Caddillac Tah and Black Child. While the song surged in popularity among the streets of the east coast, its success failed to spill over commercially in impacting Billboard charts nationwide – thus, resulting in multiple postponements for the album. By 2001, a follow-up single featuring newcomer Ashanti was released in conjunction to promote the original motion picture soundtrack to action flick “Fast and Furious” (2001), starring Ja Rule, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez. Its B-side “Pop-Pop-Pop” was additionally released that same year strictly via promotional vinyl use only. From 2002 until 2003, a fraction of the album’s recording sessions began to circulate on mixtapes and rare, limitedly released white label vinyls. By ’03, Vita parted ways with The Inc. and her album was shelved. It would later be revealed that much like the case of fellow labelmate Charli Baltimore and her pending LP’s release, Vita’s “La Dolce Vita” got the cancellation axe due to The Inc. CEO Irv Gotti overspending his label’s funding on illicit substances causing a majority of the Murda Inc. crew’s releases to be shelved or postponed. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Vita, Vita, Vita 2.) Story of a Girl (feat. Ja Rule) 3.) We Fly (Album Version) ft. Ja Rule & Lil’ Mo 4.) I’ll Do 5.) Take U Away (A Girl Like Me) 6.) Two Sides 7.) Rock ‘Em (feat. Boobakaw & The Wild Younginz) 8.) He Is (feat. Big Famous) 9.) Pop-Pop-Pop (feat. Caddillac Tah, Black Child & Wiz Dinero) 10.) Justify My Love (feat. Ashanti) 11.) Vita Did It All 12.) Come-N-Go (feat. Ja Rule & Ashanti) 13.) My Heart Is Torn 14.) Vita’s Symphony 15.) We Fly (Demo Version) ft. Ja Rule & Lil’ Mo 16.) Dem Niggaz (feat. Caddillac Tah, Black Child & Ja Rule) 17.) Murda Life (feat. Caddillac Tah, Black Child & Ja Rule) 18.) We Murderers (feat. Ja Rule) 19.) Here We Come (feat. Ronnie Bumps) 20.) Like or Love Me 21.) Story of a Girl (Extended Version) ft. Ja Rule

Partial collection of songs taken from former Murda Inc. signee Charli Baltimore’s second unreleased album “The Diary (You Think You Know)” (2003). The album spawned a total of five singles, one of which (“Diary”) earned a Grammy nom at its 2004 ceremonial event for Best Female Rap Solo Performance. Charli at the time was shocked that her song was submitted for such a prestige nomination, given that there was limited promo/budget behind it alongside no music video to aid it. Furthermore, the song did not chart on Billboard, but despite this its buzz in the streets was enough to score the renowned nomination. Other singles – “Philly’s Finest”, “Charli, Charli”, “No One Does It Better”, “Hey Charli” – were all released via vinyl or CD single pressings to similar reception garnered from underground and urban magazine critics (although the Eve-assisted “Philly’s Finest” did catch flack from friend-turned-foe Foxy Brown for interpreting it as a disrespect to New Yorkers and the original sample it was based on, that being “Brooklyn’s Finest”, shared by Jay-Z and Biggie). While the album did receive slight advertisement through mentions on compilation sets like “Murda Inc presents… The Remixes” (2002), “Murda Inc. presents… The Inc.” alongside fellow labelmate Ashanti’s “Chapter II” (2003) album; “The Diary” would end up getting shelved in late ’03 due to label CEO Irv Gotti exhausting the effort’s budget on personal illicit substance problems. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Hey Charli 2.) The Diary 3.) Get It Right, Part II (feat. Caddillac Tah & Ronnie Bumps) 4.) Days Like This 5.) Charli, Charli 6.) Philly’s Finest (feat. Eve) 7.) I Still Don’t Give a Fuck (Interlude) 8.) No One Does It Better (feat. Ashanti) 9.) Ghetto Fabulous (feat. Jewell) 10.) Showdown (feat. Caddillac Tah, Black Child & D.O. Cannon) 11.) Get at Me Dawg (50 Cent & G-Unit Diss) 12.) You Want Me Dead 13.) Ill Bitch (Lil’ Kim Diss) 14.) Niggaz Ain't Shit (feat. Quarter & Nina) 15.) Down 4 U (feat. Vita, Ja Rule & Ashanti)

Full collection of songs taken from hip-hop legend and The Firm member AZ’s shelved fifth album “Final Call” (2004). The album’s Metaphysic-produced cut “Talkin’ Gangsta” was queued to be a buzz pick for radio outlets but was later issued to white vinyl only due to the album’s unexpected two-month early leak. The album altogether was temporarily shelved due to AZ’s dissatisfaction with the direction of the album. When the effort began to circulate both in the streets and via online, fans’ reaction to the project was reported to be somewhat critical as longtime fanatics dubbed the CD as “commercial sounding” and felt it did not follow up strongly to AZ’s prior album “Aziatic” (2002). Though the album was heavily bootlegged online and in the underground market, “Final Call” did not see an official release until late 2008 when its title was revised to “Final Call: The Lost Tapes” with a remixed track-listing and a notable omission of the interlude “Poor Poor People”, featuring Puerto Rican, New York native (Nuyorican) poet Lemon. Guest appearances on the unreleased album include Tony Sunshine, Rell, CL Smooth, Ralo, Nu & Young alongside sampled vocals by the late Aaliyah. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Freedom (Intro) (feat. Lemon the Poet) 2.) Omega 3.) The Truth (feat. Ralo) 4.) Seems That Way 5.) Talkin’ Gangsta (feat. Tony Sunshine) 6.) Side 2 Side (feat. Ron G) 7.) You Know (feat. Rell) 8.) No Strings 9.) Gangsta MC’s (Interlude) (feat. Lemon the Poet) 10.) Live Wire 11.) Magic Hour (feat. CL Smooth) 12.) I Am AZ 13.) Girls R Free 14.) Poor Poor People (Interlude) (feat. Lemon the Poet) 15.) Let Me Know (feat. Aaliyah) 16.) Quiet Money Anthem (feat. Nu & Young)

Long before Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC’s protégées Blaque added “Torch” to their fully released discography in 2019, nearly more than a decade prior their album was in an unreleased state thanks courtesy to label issues and creative differences. Originally, “Torch” was due to be released in 2003 under Elektra Records. The group’s first promotional single “No Ganksta” (featuring Missy Elliott) was sent to radio in late 2002 as a “buzz” cut for the LP, but failed to amass critical acclaim after reviewers felt the Missy Elliott-produced mid-tempo number was a blatant rip-off of 50 Cent’s “Wanksta”, when in actuality it was an essential “answer” song to Fif’s single. Resorting back to the drawing board, Elektra and Elliott decided on ushering in Blaque to make a concluding cameo in the Jessica Alba-, Mekhi Phifer-starring dance-drama flick “Honey” (2003). The group’s theatrical feature was accompanied with a catchy Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins-produced groove entitled “I’m Good”, which charted modestly overseas in countries like Australia and Germany but failed to repeat the same momentum in the states where it only managed to peak at number 95 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Making matters worse was that Blaque’s follow-up single “Ugly”, featuring fiery hot production and hilarious guest vocals by the group’s fellow labelmate Missy Elliott, missed the singles charts but fared better on the Singles Sales aspect. Due to a combination of the singles underperforming commercially in the states, lack of creative input from the group and Blaque’s label Elektra merging with Atlantic Records, the album was pushed back from a fall 2003 release to an early 2004 date and eventually got scrapped. Talks of the album being revisited via iTunes were considered as early as 2008 when Beyoncé’s father Matthew Knowles absorbed the group’s unreleased content for his Music World Entertainment label. Unfortunately when delays followed and no release was shown, deceased member Natina Reed spoke to ‘YouKnonwIGotSoul’ two months before her death to relay that as a group it wouldn’t make sense to put out “Torch” to fans if Blaque had no creative control during the album’s recording process. As time elapsed, towards the 15th anniversary of the shelving of “Torch”, remaining members Brandi and Shamari confirmed that the long sought-after LP would be available to digital servers in May 2019. Production credits include Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, Wylee, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Craig Brockman, Jazz, among others. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) I’m Good 2.) Blaque Out (feat. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz) 3.) Blaque Out (Original Mix) 4.) Freakazoid (Demo Version) ft. Missy Elliott 5.) Freakazoid (Album Version) ft. Missy Elliott 6.) (Deeper) Try Harder 7.) It’s Not Me 8.) Ugly (Album Version) ft. Missy Elliott 9.) Ugly (Alternate Version) ft. Missy Elliott 10.) Fall Through 11.) Hopeless (Dirty/Explicit Version) 12.) Hopeless (Clean/Amended Version) 13.) Nappy Dugout 14.) Dat’s Right (feat. Missy Elliott) 15.) If It Was Me 16.) Fall Back 17.) Love ‘Em Down 18.) Her Name (Tribute to Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC) ft. Alicia “4Bia” Cherry, D.R.I.P. da Gumph 19.) No Ganksta (Album Version) ft. Missy Elliott 20.) I’m Good (Trackmasters Remix) ft. Freck Billionaire

Collection of known songs taken from female rap duo Dyme’s unreleased debut album “Diamonds in the Ruff” (2000). Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York, identical twin sisters Idrissa and Aisha Hassan initially teamed up as musicians under the generic stage name Duo before revising their artistic moniker to Dyme. The pair’s lyrical crafting skills and stellar storytelling earned them cameo features both on-screen and off-screen. The first came per the Q-Tip-starring, direct-to-VHS flick “Love Goggles” (1999), while the second resulted in a spot on the Ruff Ryders/Cash Money 2000 Tour. With these modest forms of recognition, Dyme was solid proof that they were just as hot as their male spitting counterparts. Through the release of several buzz singles (“Spanish Fly”, “3 Stories”, “In the Cut”, “Million Dollar Chicks (Where They At”), Dyme readied a debut album due to be titled “Diamonds in the Ruff”, penned for an early 2000 release before being mind-numbingly postponed to early 2001. While they awaited their turn for the musical limelight, Dyme hopped on an assortment of tracks and remixes shared by a rolodex of famous musicians, most notably Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox. Talks of the two-piece collective being signed to DMX’s label Bloodline Records and having their own movie (“Double Crossed”) were widely considered as effort to further strengthen the pair’s hype. Sadly, all momentum was halted when the sisterly duo asked to be released from their contract with Arista and have their album shelved. It remains unclear as to what pushed the twins to step away from the scene; the rumor is said to be that due to their singles not being properly funded for commercial support on radio or in clubs, this may have put pressure on the two’s management to postpone further steps to have their name promoted extensively, resulting in Dyme’s frustration and cause to leave Arista. Track-listing is as follows: 1.) Phone Skit #1 2.) N*ggaz Do Real Thangz (feat. Bobby Simmons & Smif-N-Wessun a.k.a. Cocoa Brovaz) 3.) In the Cut 4.) What’chu Want (feat. Lady Luck) 5.) It Ain’t a Game 6.) 3 Stories (feat. DMX) 7.) Another Story 2 Tell (with Notorious B.I.G., Nas & Trina) 8.) Phone Skit #2 9.) Ladies, Are U Wit Me? 10.) Thug Glamour 11.) Spanish Fly (feat. Cuban Link & Barrio Boyzz) 12.) Diamonds in the Ruff 13.) A & I (Demo Version) 14.) Is It a Crime? 15.) Double Cross 16.) Where They At? (Million Dollar Chicks) 17.) Phone Skit #3 18.) My Love Is Your Love (Wyclef Jean Remix) (with Whitney Houston) [*] [*] = denotes bonus track; released in 1998