Warren Griffin III is an American rapper, DJ, and producer known for his role in West Coast rap's 1990s ascent. A pioneer of G-funk, he attained mainstream success with the 1994 single "Regulate", a duet with Nate Dogg. He significantly helped Snoop Dogg's career during the latter's beginnings, also introducing him to Dr. Dre, who later signed Snoop Dogg.
G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre was heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often using samples or recreating the original tracks. It was represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).
Shawn Moltke better known by his stage name MC Shan, is an American hip hop and R&B recording artist.
2Pacalypse Now is the debut studio album by American rapper 2Pac. Released by Interscope Records and TNT Recordings on November 12, 1991, 2Pacalypse Now is Tupac's commentary on contemporary social issues facing American society, such as racism, police brutality, poverty, black on black crime, and teenage pregnancy. It featured three singles: "Brenda's Got a Baby", "Trapped", and "If My Homie Calls".
Earl Stevens, better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released 26 studio albums to date, appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, and has also done guest appearances on a host of other rap albums. Initially an underground artist, his 1995 solo album In a Major Way opened him up to a wider audience. Beginning in 1998, he began collaborating with mainstream rappers outside the San Francisco Bay Area. He rose to higher mainstream popularity in 2006 with his single "Tell Me When to Go", which was produced by Lil Jon.
Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss is the sixth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on November 26, 2002, by his Doggystyle label, alongside Priority and Capitol Records. Following his departure from the No Limit Records, he later signed a recording contract to Capitol through Priority Records. The album was supported by two singles, both featuring Pharrell: "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", the latter also featuring Charlie Wilson.
Brandt Jones, better known by his stage name B-Legit, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California.
Shon Adams, better known by his stage name E-A-Ski, is an American rapper and producer from Oakland, California. He served as both a rapper and producer for No Limit Records, producing on Master P's early records and also releasing some of his own material.
Turf Talk, is a Bay Area rapper involved with the hyphy movement. He is a cousin of Bay Area rapper E-40, and is signed to his record label Sick Wid It Records.
The Playa Rich Project is a compilation presented by American rapper Spice 1. It was released November 14, 2000 on Mobb Status Entertainment. The album features performances by Spice 1, Yukmouth, RBL Posse, C-Bo, Outlawz, Jayo Felony, Tray Dee, Three 6 Mafia, B-Legit, Hot Boyz and Yukmouth.
In a Major Way is the second solo studio album by American rapper E-40. It was released March 14, 1995, through Sick Wid' It/Jive Records. Production was handled by Studio Ton, Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic, Funk Daddy, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, and E-40 himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Levitti, 2Pac, Celly Cel, Mac Mall, Mac Shawn and Spice 1, as well as fellow The Click groupmates B-Legit and Suga-T, and his son Droop-E.
Heat 4 Yo Azz is the debut album by Vallejo, California rapper, Celly Cel. The album was released in 1994 for Sick Wid It Records and was produced by Celly Cel, Sam Bostic and Studio Ton. The album was mildly successful, making it to #34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop album chart. Guests include B-Legit, E-40 and Funk Mobb. The album was re-released on Jive Records the same year without the track "Zig Zags & Body Bags."
It Ain't 4 Play is the only studio album released by American hip hop group Funk Mobb. It was released July 15, 1996 via Sick Wid It/Jive Records. Production was handled by K-Lou, Studio Ton, LeVitti, Kevin Gardner, Redwine, Stevie Dee, and Funk Mobb, with E-40 and B-Legit serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from B-Legit, Little Bruce, Smitty, Levitti, Double OJK, Gangsta P, and Poo-Miller. The album peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 28 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. The song "It's Time to Mobb" originally appeared on the Sick Wid' It Records 1995 compilation The Hogg in Me. The album was supported with the single "I Wanna See Ya".
The Appearances of Keak da Sneak is a compilation album released by rapper, Keak da Sneak featuring songs from various previously released albums in which he had a guest appearance. It was released on October 23, 2001 for Moe Doe Records and was produced by Ant Banks, One Drop Scott and Tone Capone. Many guests appeared on the album, including Luniz, Mac Dre and his group, 3X Krazy. It sold 5,000 copies in its first week on shelves.
Lil Italy is an American rapper who began his career as G-Note of California rap group Funk Mobb, who were signed to E-40's label Sick Wid It Records from 1994 to 1998, when the group disbanded.
Little Bruce, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California, best known for this 1994 debut album released on Sick Wid It, now known as Heavy on the Grind Entertainment, and Jive Records, XXXtra Manish.
Ant Banks Presents T.W.D.Y.: Derty Werk is the debut studio album by American hip hop supergroup T.W.D.Y.. It was released on April 20, 1999 via Thump Street Records. Production was handled entirely by member Ant Banks, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Otis & Shug, Gripsta, Playa Metro, Too $hort, Agerman, B-Legit, CJ Mac, Dolla Will, J-Dubb, Keak da Sneak, Mac Mall, Mac Shawn, MC Ant, Pooh-Man and Spice 1.
The Hogg in Me is compilation presented by American rap label Sick Wid It Records. It was released November 21, 1995, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records. The album was produced by Celly Cel, Damian Law, Dre "Young Dog" Riggins, Filthy Rich, Kevin Gardner, K-Lou, Levitti, Redwine, Stevie Wright and Studio Ton. It peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album features performances by B-Legit, Celly Cel, Levitti, Funk Mobb, The Mossie, Playaz Tryna Strive, A-1 and Reservoir Hoggz.
XXXtra Manish is the debut album by American rapper Little Bruce, released October 11, 1994, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records. The album was produced by Mike Mosley, Sam Bostic and Studio Ton, and executive produced by B-Legit and E-40. The album peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It features guest performances by Kaveo, Levitti, P-Dub and Funk Mobb.
Danell LaShawn Stevens Sr., better known as D-Shot, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. D-Shot got his start as a member of the rap group the Click, which also included his siblings E-40 and Suga-T, as well as his cousin B-Legit. After E-40 formed his record label Sick Wid It Records, the Click released their debut album, Down and Dirty, after which each member released solo projects. D-Shot's debut album, The Shot Calla, was released in 1993 through Sick Wid It Records. In 1995, D-Shot formed his own label, Shot Records, where he released his second album, Six Figures, in 1997.
