THIS DAY IN HIP-HOP...VIOLATOR: THE ALBUM

On this day in hip-hop history, Def Jam released the compilation, Violator: The Album.

On this day in 1999, Def Jam released the compilation Violator: The Album on Violator Records.  It was the first released off the label. 

Numerous artists made up the Violators including, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep and more.  Production on the album featured work by The Beatnuts, Havoc, Q-Tip, Diamond D, DJ Scratch, Nottz, and Swizz Beatz. 

Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing" was the first single released for Violator: The Album. 

The album proved to be a success and reached #8 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.  It was certified gold in September, 1999 and spawned a sequel in 2001; Violator: The Album V2.0.