DJ Muggs | |
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![]() DJ Muggs in 2000 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Lawrence Muggerud |
Born | Queens, New York City, U.S. | January 28, 1968
Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Years active | 1987–present |
Labels |
Lawrence Muggerud (born January 28, 1968) [1] professionally known by his stage name DJ Muggs, is an American DJ, audio engineer and record producer. He has been a member of Cypress Hill, a member of the trip hop band Cross My Heart Hope To Die and the leader of hip hop and art collective Soul Assassins.
During his career, he has produced tracks for House of Pain, Funkdoobiest, Daddy Freddy, Pavlos Fyssas, Die Antwoord, Westside Gunn, remixed songs for Janet Jackson, U2, Kaliphz, Simply Red, Depeche Mode, and collaborated with Tricky, GZA, Sick Jacken, Planet Asia, Ill Bill, Meyhem Lauren and Roc Marciano. As part of Cypress Hill, he received three Grammy nominations for "Insane in the Brain", "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That" and "Throw Your Set in the Air".
Of Italian descent, Muggerud was born in Queens borough of New York City, and was adopted into a Norwegian family. [2] [3] [4] He moved to Bell Gardens, California at age fourteen, [5] and got his start DJing for hip hop group The 7A3, who put out one album in 1988 before disbanding.
After linking up with B-Real and Sen Dog to form the group Cypress Hill, [6] he went on to produce seven studio albums with the group from 1991 to 2004. Of the seven, four reached platinum status, and three gold. Meanwhile, he scored hits on the side with Ice Cube's "Check Yo Self" and House of Pain's "Jump Around". During Cypress Hill's early years, Muggerud met The Alchemist and his Dilated Peoples brethren on tour, deciding to take the young producer under his wing, providing a jump-start for his career. [7]
In 1997, Muggerud released an album under the name Soul Assassins. The album, Soul Assassins I , reached #86 on the Billboard 200 and earned critical praise. [8] Produced by Muggerud, it featured Dr. Dre, B-Real, La the Darkman,Infamous Mobb, Mobb Deep, RZA, GZA, Goodie Mob, KRS-One and Wyclef Jean. In 2000 he returned to the Soul Assassins with Soul Assassins II , which reached only #178 on the charts but garnered similarly positive reviews. [9] He also put out the record Dust , an atmosphere-heavy trip hop affair with Greg Dulli, Amy Trujillo and Everlast on vocals. After the 2004 album Till Death Do Us Part , which reached #23 on the Billboard 200, Cypress Hill went on a hiatus from recording, enabling its members to focus more on their side projects.
In 2005, Muggerud teamed up with Wu-Tang Clan's GZA for the album Grandmasters , the first project released on his label Angeles Records. Patterned after a chess game, it received positive reviews; [10] Muggerud also announced a Soul Assassins III album, produced jointly by himself and Alchemist, reportedly to be preceded by a record called Cloak & Dagger, also featuring Alchemist. [11] Instead, Muggerud produced an album for Psycho Realm member Sick Jacken, Legend of the Mask and the Assassin two years later, in 2007. In 2008, Muggerud announced that his album with California rapper Planet Asia would be the third Soul Assassins album, [12] but the two released Pain Language later that year as a simple collaboration.
Before the release of his solo album Smoke n Mirrors in 2009, B-Real reported that Cypress Hill has been working on an album for roughly a year. Currently in the mixing phase, Muggerud has produced half of the album's material so far, going to DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Mike Shinoda for the rest. [13] In 2009, Muggerud entered the Gumball 3000 cross-country race, and on June 23, 2009, Soul Assassins: Intermission was released, featuring RZA, Prodigy, Evidence, The Alchemist and Bun B. [14] The first single for the album was "Gangsta Shit" by Bun B and M1. [15] Despite its high-profile guest list, the release was met with lukewarm reception, [16] and Muggerud later clarified its status as a preview before the release of Soul Assassins III, the next full-fledged installment of his Soul Assassins series. [17] Muggerud plans next on recording his 5th V.S. album with group member B-Real. [18] and in 2013 he confirmed a VS album with Meyhem Lauren as well.
On the Soul Assassins official website, it was also revealed that Muggerud contributed production to Apathy's song "Fear Itself" from rapper's Honkey Kong album, which was released August 23, 2011. [19]
In 2011, Muggerud announced the release of a new album entitled Bass for Your Face , which he described as a 'West Coast dubstep album'. In October 2011, Muggerud confirmed via his Twitter account that Public Enemy frontman Chuck D would contribute to the album, and the lead single would feature UK artist Dizzee Rascal and Los Angeles upstart MC Bambu.
Muggerud returned to the trip hop genre by teaming up with vocalist Brevi, fellow producer Andrew Kline (from the hardcore punk band Strife) and Sean Bonner, who served as a curator, hacker and creative technologist of the project. CMHHTD released their debut four-track self-titled extended play on April 2, 2013, [20] and it was promoted by three music videos "Wild Side", "Miracles" and "Roller Coasting". On July 29, 2014, the band released their second extended play, Vita E Morte, [21] it was supported by two music videos "Two Shots" and "Tears Of God". Both EPs were released via Alpha Pup Records and also were released later as Cross My Heart Hope To Die eight-track album.
Studio albums
Extended plays
Mixtapes
| Collaborations
Cypress HillCross My Heart Hope To Die
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Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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1993 | "Insane in the Brain" | Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated | [22] |
1994 | "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That" | Nominated | ||
1995 | "Throw Your Set in the Air" | Nominated |
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California, formed in 1988. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and they have obtained multi-platinum and platinum certifications. The group has been critically acclaimed for their first five albums. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast hip hop and 1990s hip hop. All of the group members advocate for medical and recreational use of cannabis in the United States. In 2019, Cypress Hill became the first hip hop group to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Psycho Realm is a Mexican-American hip hop group started in 1989 by the brothers Sick Jacken and Big Duke both born from Mazatlan Sinaloa raised in the Downtown neighborhood of Pico-Union area of Los Angeles.
William Braunstein, professionally known by his stage name Ill Bill, is an American rapper and record producer from Brooklyn, New York City. Having gained fame in the underground hip hop group Non Phixion, Ill Bill is known for his diverse lyrics and as the producer, founder and CEO of Uncle Howie Records. His brother Ron is rapper and producer Necro.
Louis Mario Freese, known by his stage name B-Real, is an American rapper. Since 1991, he has been one of two lead rappers in the hip hop group Cypress Hill, along with Sen Dog. He has also been a part of the rap metal band Kush (2000–2002), the hip hop supergroup Serial Killers (2013–present) and the rap rock supergroup Prophets of Rage (2016–2019). He has released a variety of solo mixtapes, as well as two solo albums: Smoke n Mirrors (2009) and Tell You Something (2020).
Grandmasters is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles–based record producer DJ Muggs and New York–based rapper GZA. It was released on October 6, 2005 via Angeles Records, serving as Muggs' first in his "DJ Muggs vs." series and GZA's fifth album. Produced entirely by Muggs, it features fellow Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates Raekwon, RZA, Masta Killa and Prodigal Sunn, as well as Cypress Hill's Sen Dog. The project has a theme of chess as can be seen by the track names. Introductions featuring chess strategy, including instruction for a chess opening using algebraic notation, are within the album. The album was also released in 'Instrumentals' and 'Remix' versions. The latter containing a bonus DVD featuring world tour and studio footage.
La Coka Nostra is an American hip hop supergroup currently composed that of Danny Boy, Slaine, DJ Lethal, and Ill Bill. In 2004, its creation started when Danny Boy brought two young artists, Slaine and Big Left, to meet Dj Lethal his DJ from his former group House of Pain. They decided to make a group, whose name came about when O'Connor teased other members with that nickname after they had a night out. They started releasing music on MySpace.
Muggs Presents... The Soul Assassins, Chapter I is the first studio album by American hip hop collective Soul Assassins. It was released on March 4, 1997, via Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at Larrabee Sound Studios and at Ameraycan Studios in Los Angeles, at The Hit Factory, at D&D Studios and at Chung King Studios in New York, and at The Hill. Produced entirely by DJ Muggs, it features contributions from B-Real, Dr. Dre, Goodie Mob, RZA, GZA, La the Darkman, MC Eiht, KRS-One, Mobb Deep, Infamous Mobb, Call O' Da Wild and Wyclef Jean. The album peaked at number 20 in the United States, at number 28 in France, at number 80 in the Netherlands, and at number 86 in the UK. Its sequel, Soul Assassins II, was released on October 3, 2000.
Estevan Oriol is a photographer and director from Los Angeles, of Mexican-Italian descent. Best known for his distinct, gritty 35mm black and white work, documenting chicano, cholo culture, as well as celebrities within film and hip-hop, and lingerie work, his images have been featured in magazines, on album covers and in exhibitions across the world. Oriol is also known for directing several music videos for the likes of Blink 182, D12, Cypress Hill and more, as well as for his partnerships with life-long friend and collaborator, Mister Cartoon for Joker Brand Clothing and Soul Assassins Studios, the latter of which the two opened together by way of Cypress Hill's producer, DJ Muggs.
Muggs Presents Soul Assassins II is the second studio album by American hip-hop collective Soul Assassins. It was released on October 3, 2000, via RuffLife Records. Recording sessions took place at The Cutting Room, at Battery Studios, at Greenstreet Studios and at D&D Studios in New York, at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, at Soul Assassins Studios in Los Angeles, and at CMO Greens Studios. Production was primarily handled by DJ Muggs, with three tracks produced by The Alchemist and one by DJ Khalil. The album includes features with Kool G Rap, Infamous Mobb's Godfather Pt. III, Xzibit, King T, GZA, Goodie Mob, Kurupt, Screwball's Hostyle, Self Scientific, Krondon, Phenam a.k.a. Don Krisis, Ras Kass, Dilated Peoples, Roscoe, Cypress Hill and Everlast.
Legend of the Mask and the Assassin is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles–based record producer DJ Muggs and Psycho Realm's rapper Sick Jacken featuring fellow Sick Symphonies' member Cynic of Street Platoon. It was released on September 11, 2007, via Rebel Music Group/Universal Music Latino, serving as Muggs' second album in his "DJ Muggs vs." series. Recording sessions took place at MGS Sound Lab in Burbank, California. Production was handled entirely by Muggs, who also served as executive producer with Jacken.
Pain Language is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles–based record producer DJ Muggs and rapper Planet Asia. It was released on September 16, 2008 via Gold Dust Media. Recording sessions took place at the Soul Assassins Compound. Production was handled entirely by Muggs, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from B-Real, Chace Infinite, Cynic, GZA, Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn, Scratch, Sick Jacken, Tri State and Turbin. Its first single will be "9mm" b/w "That's What It Is", which was made available for free download through SoulAssassins.com.
Rob Hill is a music producer and engineer as well as a songwriter and musician, based in Los Angeles California.
Rob's production credits include: Everlast (musician), Korn, Soul Assassins, Xzibit, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Queen, Jackson Browne, the Cars, R.E.M., Zayra Alvarez, Northern State, Fuel (band), "Skinhead " Rob Aston, Psycho Realm, Tim Armstrong, Molotov (band), Depswa, Tourettes (band), Transplants (band), and many more...
Rise Up is the eighth studio album by Cypress Hill, which was released on April 20, 2010. It is their first album of new material in six years, following 2004's Till Death Do Us Part, and their first to be released on EMI's Priority Records, their first venture away from Columbia, who handled all of their previous releases.
Demerick Ferm, better known by his stage name Demrick, formerly known as Young De, is a rapper from Spokane, Washington, now living in Los Angeles. He has collaborated with Xzibit, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, B-Real and Cypress Hill. He is a protege of B-Real of Cypress Hill and Xzibit with whom he formed Serial Killers.
DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill: Kill Devil Hills is a collaborative studio album by American Los Angeles-based record producer DJ Muggs and New York-based rapper Ill Bill. It was released on August 31, 2010, via Fat Beats, serving as Muggs' third album in his "DJ Muggs vs." series. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, except for two track produced by G. Rocka and DJ Khalil. It features guest appearances from B-Real, Sick Jacken, Chace Infinite, Everlast, O.C., Q-Unique, Raekwon, Slaine, Sean Price, Vinnie Paz and Uncle Howie. The album is dedicated to Ill Bill's uncle, Howard Tenebaum, who died five months before the record release. Kill Devil Hills peaked at number 86 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 21 on the Top Rap Albums and number 17 on Heatseekers Albums charts in the United States, and also named one of 'Top 25 Albums of 2010' by HipHopDX.
DJ Muggs Presents: Soul Assassins – Intermission is the third studio album by American hip hop collective Soul Assassins. It was released on June 23, 2009, via Gold Dust Media. Recording sessions took place at the Soul Assassins Compound. Production was handled by DJ Muggs, G. Rocka, Cynic, The Alchemist, DJ Khalil and DJ Solo. It features contributions from Bun B, M-1, Sick Jacken, Evidence, Self Scientific, La Coka Nostra, Necro, Reef the Lost Cauze, OuterSpace, RZA, Reverend William Burke, Planet Asia, B-Real, Prodigy, Twin Gambino, Fashawn, Cynic, Krondon, Dust, Young De, Xzibit and Mykestro.
Bass for Your Face is the second studio album by American hip hop producer and recording artist DJ Muggs. The album was released by Ultra Records on January 15, 2013, in the United States.
Meyhem Lauren is an American rapper from Queens, New York. He is a founding member of the Smart Crew collective. He has collaborated with the likes of DJ Muggs, Alchemist, and Harry Fraud. He stars in Fuck, That's Delicious with Action Bronson, Alchemist, and Big Body Bes.
Elephants on Acid is the ninth studio album by American hip hop group Cypress Hill, and is the group's first studio album in eight years following Rise Up making it the group's longest gap between albums. The album was released on September 28, 2018. The album includes 21 tracks. Unlike Rise Up, the group's last album, which was produced by a number of people, this album is fully produced by DJ Muggs.
Tuez-Les Tous is the first collaborative full-length album by American hip hop producer DJ Muggs and Haitian rapper Mach-Hommy. It was released on March 29, 2019 via Soul Assassins Records. Produced entirely by Muggs, it features guest appearances from Tha God Fahim, Big Cheeko, Kungg Fuu, Meyhem Lauren and Your Old Droog. The title translates to “Kill Them All” in English.