Lordz of Brooklyn

Last updated
Lordz of Brooklyn
Lordz of Brooklyn circa 1995.png
Promotional shoot circa 1995.
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genres
Years active1992–present
Labels
MembersADM
Mr. Kaves
Scotty Edge
Dino Bottz
Paulie Nugent
LORDDREW
Website lordzofbrooklyn.com

Lordz of Brooklyn is an American hip hop group from New York. The group was started by brothers Michael McLeer (Kaves) and Adam McLeer (ADMoney) as the Verrazano Boys but eventually changed to Lordz of Brooklyn where they were joined by Dino Cerillo (Bottz), Paul Nugent (Paulie Two Times), and Scotty Westerman (Scotty Edge). In 1995, their debut album All in the Family , received favorable reviews and established them as a well known underground group.

Contents

Through the rest of the 90s, they would often collaborate with Everlast and in 2000 with Bumpy Knuckles they released the EP The Lordz of Brooklyn Meet Bumpy Knuckles. In 2003 they released the album Graffiti Roc which included collaborations by Busta Rhymes, Korn, Rampage, etc.

Rebranded as The Lordz, they released the album The Brooklyn Way (2006) and had a reality show by the same name a year later. While the group continued touring they eventually returned to their original name and released the album Family Reunion in 2020.

Biography

1980s-1995

In the 1980s and early 1990s, fellow New Yorker Mike McLeer (Kaves) was an esteemed graffiti artist, while his brother Adam McLeer (ADMoney) was a Dj. [1] The McLeer brothers are of mixed Italian, Russian, Irish, English, and Scottish descent. [2] The pair got into breakdancing and would go on to meet rapper Chuck D, for whom Kaves worked on promotion, who suggested that they make demo tapes. Hence they founded the group the Verrazano Boys and eventually changed to Lordz of Brooklyn with a group of friends. [1]

The group was initially formed in 1989, and joining the McLeer brothers was Scotty Westerman (Scotty Edge). In 1992, Dino Cerillo (Bottz), and Paul Nugent (Paulie Two Times) joined. [3] [ additional citation(s) needed ]

On June 7, 1994, Donna and Michele Blanchard, the mother and sister of ADM and Kaves aged 43 and 4 respectively, died from a hit-and-run in Brooklyn. It remains unsolved to this day. [4] Kaves described his mother as a hippie who encouraged him and his brother to pursue their interest in hip hop. [5]

In 1995, they released their debut All in the Family, [1] signed to American Recordings/Ventrue. They group had to work hard to convince a label to welcome an Italian white group with gangland imagery. Kaves explained that the objective of the album is to take to on a train ride thought Brooklyn, and make an album that give his mother full credit on the support she gave him. Their first single "Saturday Night Fever" is a tribute to Kaves's favourite film by the same name. [3] It became an underground success, especially among graffiti writers who identified with the content. [6] It generally received favorable reviews. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Paola Banchero of The Wichita Eagle , said there is "more musical twist than most hip-hop", described it as "gritty", and "good to listen while hanging out with the crew". [14]

1996 -2005

In 1997 for soundtrack of the film Gravesend, they provided some exclusive songs. [15]

In 2000, they released the vinyl EP The Lordz of Brooklyn Meet Bumpy Knuckles. [16]

2000 also saw the release of the Lordz of Brooklyn cover version of Run-DMC's hip hop classic "Sucker M.C.'s" on the tribute album Take A Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap. Their version featured Stoned Soul and Everlast. [17]

In 2003 they released, Graffiti Roc. [18] By this time the group consisted of the McLeer brothers as a duo. Their style leaned towards a crossover sound of both hip hop and rock influences. [19] It featured Busta Rhymes, Korn, Rampage, Everlast, O.C., Freddie Foxxx, and Lord Finesse. [20]

Live musicians were added, on guitar (Patrick Saccenti), bass and drums to tour festivals such as Vans Warped Tour in 2003, 2004 and 2005.[ citation needed ]

2006–present

In 2006, the group shortened their name to "The Lordz" for the release of the third album The Brooklyn Way. Featured artists are Everlast, Bedouin Soundclash, and Tim Armstrong. [1] Of this album Kaves said "the Lordz' music is positioned at the intersection of punk and hip-hop, and truly reflects its roots". [21] Kaves said that the rebranding of the group's name was to avoid interference with their previous catalog. [6]

After the release of the album, Kaves explained that Westerman rejoined the group for tours. [6]

In April 2008, The Lordz had their own reality TV show on Fuse entitled The Brooklyn Way. [22] The show featured footage Kaves shot over the years focusing on their daily lives. [21] Also that year it was announced they would do their fifth stint with the Vans Warped Tour. [22]

Since 2018, they have returned to their Hip-Hop origins, started to use the full name "Lordz Of Brooklyn".[ citation needed ]

In 2020, they released a new album Family Reunion, with the participation of Westerman and Nugent. [23]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Pain</span> American hip hop group

House of Pain was an American hip hop trio that released three albums in the 1990s. The group consisted of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast. They are best known for their 1992 hit single "Jump Around", which reached number 3 in their native United States of America, number 6 in Ireland and number 8 in the United Kingdom. The group broke up in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Lethal</span> Latvian-American disc jockey

Leor Dimant, better known as DJ Lethal, is a Latvian-American turntablist and producer and is best known as a member of the groups House of Pain and Limp Bizkit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big L</span> American rapper (1974–1999)

Lamont Coleman, known professionally as Big L, was an American rapper. Emerging from Harlem in New York City in 1992, Big L became known among underground hip-hop fans for his freestyling ability. He was eventually signed to Columbia Records, where, in 1995, he released his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous. On February 15, 1999, he was fatally shot nine times in a drive-by shooting in Harlem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everlast</span> American rapper, singer, and songwriter (born 1969)

Erik Francis Schrody, known by his stage names Everlast and Whitey Ford, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who was the frontman for hip hop group House of Pain. His breakthrough as a solo artist came in 1998 with his album Whitey Ford Sings the Blues, which blended rock and hip-hop and garnered him his first Grammy Award nomination for the song "What It's Like". The album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200 album chart, while the single peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. As of 2023, they remain his highest mainstream chart positions for an album and single respectively.

The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, commonly known as D.I.T.C., is an American hip hop collective formed in 1992 in New York City. The collective's name derives from the act of seeking out records to sample for production. The collective is composed of Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Big L, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Showbiz and A.G. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, having often collaborated with undiscovered talents and underground hip hop artists alongside mainstream rappers.

Robert "Bob" Khaleel, better known by his stage name Bronx Style Bob, is an American rapper from the Bronx, New York City.

Donald Lamont, professionally known by his stage name Donald-D, is an American rapper and record producer from the Bronx, New York. He is a member of the Universal Zulu Nation, a member of the B-Boys, and is best known as a member of Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Foxxx</span> American rapper

James Campbell, is an American rapper and record producer, better known by his stage names Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles.

<i>Industry Shakedown</i> 2000 studio album by Bumpy Knuckles

Industry Shakedown is the second studio album by American East Coast hip hop artist Freddie Foxxx, and his first release under his 'Bumpy Knuckles' alias. It was released on June 27, 2000, via KJAC Music and Landspeed Records, and was produced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Diamond D, The Alchemist and Foxxx himself. It also featured guest appearances from Afrika Bambaataa, M.O.P., Terisa Griffin, and DJ Rukas. The album peaked at number 179 on the Billboard 200. The first single was the DJ Premier-produced "Part Of My Life".

Omar Gerryl Credle, better known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper and member of the group D.I.T.C. He has been involved with several underground hip hop groups, namely Crooklyn Dodgers '95, Luv NY, and Perestroika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get By</span> 2003 single by Talib Kweli

"Get By" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli. It was released on March 11, 2003, as the third single from his debut studio album Quality (2002). Produced by Kanye West, the hip hop track samples "Sinnerman" as performed by Nina Simone and features background vocals from Abby Dobson, Chinua Hawk, Kendra Ross, Vernetta Bobien, and William "Na2" Taylor. The song peaked at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Kweli's most successful solo hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapsody</span> American rapper from North Carolina

Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper. After signing with music producer 9th Wonder's music label It's a Wonderful World Music Group, she released a series of mixtapes and collaborated with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. Soon afterwards Rapsody released her debut album The Idea of Beautiful (2012). She would attain further prominence when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, on the track "Complexion ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sucker M.C.'s</span> 1983 single by Run-D.M.C.

"Sucker M.C.'s" is a song by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C. It was first released in 1983 as B-side to "It's Like That". The two-sided release marked the start of Run-D.M.C.'s career as their first single, and it is widely regarded as ushering in a new school of hip hop artists with a street image and an abrasive, minimalist sound that marked them out from their predecessors. Both tracks were collected on the trio's self-titled debut album in 1984. WBAU was the first station to play the two songs.

<i>Kolexxxion</i> 2012 studio album by DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles

Kolexxxion, is a collaborative studio album by DJ/producer DJ Premier and rapper Bumpy Knuckles. Most of the beats on the album are beats that were rejected by other artists, such as "B.A.P. ", and "wEaRe aT WaR" and "EyEnEvErPuTmY4cUsAwAy". Some of the songs are previously released collaborations between the two. There are only two guest stars on the album, which are Flavor Flav and Nas. The album was released on March 27.

Flipmode Squad is an American hip hop collective formed and fronted by Busta Rhymes.

<i>Masters of the Dark Arts</i> 2012 studio album by La Coka Nostra

Masters of the Dark Arts is the second studio album by American hip hop supergroup La Coka Nostra. It was released on July 31, 2012 via Fat Beats Records. Production was handled by members DJ Lethal and Ill Bill, as well as C-Lance, Sicknature, Beat Butcha, DJ Premier, Jack Of All Trades, Scott "Supe" Stallone and Statik Selektah. It features guest appearances from Vinnie Paz, Sean Price, Sick Jacken, Thirstin Howl III and Big Left.

Omar Rogelio Tull, better known by his stage name PackFM, is an American Underground hip hop artist and producer from Brooklyn, New York City. As a teenager in the mid-1990s, PackFM began his battle career, winning numerous prestigious freestyle titles. These wins include the 88HipHop MC Battle Champion, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame after four undefeated months, Braggin Rites tournament in 1999, Everlast Harlem Lyricist Championship in 2003, and three undefeated months in the 24 Hour MC Battle sponsored by TDK.

Dante Ross is an American music industry executive, artists and repertoire representative, and record producer. He was named one of the top-25 greatest A&R representatives in hip-hop by Complex magazine. Ross has been in his career an office messenger, a tour manager, an A&R person, a record producer, a notable songwriter, and artist manager.

<i>All in the Family</i> (Lordz of Brooklyn album) 1995 studio album by Lordz of Brooklyn

All in the Family is the debut studio album from Lordz of Brooklyn. It was released on April 18, 1995, by American Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaves</span> American visual artist and rapper

Michael McLeer, better known as Kaves, is an American fine art painter, graffiti artist, illustrator, director, actor, author, rapper, and entrepreneur. From Brooklyn, New York, Kaves started doing graffitis in the 1980s. Part of the early 1980s train car movement, his talent got noticed, and appeared in Henry Chalfant's book Spraycan Art (1987). Shortly after, with his brother, they created the hip-hop group Lordz of Brooklyn. They had four releases All in the Family (1995), Graffiti Roc (2003),The Brooklyn Way (2006), and Family Reunion (2020).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Marisa. "Lordz biography". allmusic. Rovi. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  2. ↑ Eddy, Chuck (August 15, 2006). "Spaghetti Eastern". Village Voice. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Moton, Tony (September 24, 1995). "Hip-hop groups take musical exit to Brooklyn". Sunday World-Herald: Entertainment: 12.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Michael (June 18, 2011). "17 Years Later, Still Searching for the Driver of a White Box Truck". The New York Times. pp. A15.
  5. ↑ Hamill, Denis (June 1, 2003). "Hunting For Killer Of Mom & Sister". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Lawrence, John (2013-01-24). "Interview: Lordz of Brooklyn". The Pop Break. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  7. ↑ Monk, Katherine (September 21, 1995). "Medium-hot Chilis; pop candy Medecine; lively junkies". The Vancouver Sun: C8.
  8. ↑ Nardone Jr., Joe (August 31, 1995). "Released and other such sound". The Weekender. 2: 43.
  9. ↑ Dickerson, James (August 22, 1995). "Top Spin". The Columbian: 16/CoverStory.
  10. ↑ Ashon, Will (November 1995). "Lords of Brooklyn: All In The Family". Muzik . No. 6. p. 90.
  11. ↑ Miley, Scott L. (September 15, 1995). "Record Reviews". The Indianapolis Star: E8.
  12. ↑ Quintavell, Faith (August 20, 1995). "New recordings". The Philadelphia Inquirer: F10.
  13. ↑ Harrington, Jim (November 19, 1995). "Lordz' CD puts the smart in hip-hop". The San Bernardino County Sun: E6.
  14. ↑ Banchero, Paola (September 5, 1995). "Brooklyn guys are loud, gritty". The Wichita Eagle: 2c.
  15. ↑ Music From The Original Motion Picture - Gravesend (CD). Island Records. 1997. 314-524 432-2.
  16. ↑ McLeer, Michael "Kaves"; McLeer, Adam "ADM"; Campbell, James "Bumpy Knuckles" (2000). The Lordz Of Brooklyn Meet Bumpy Knuckles (Vinyl). Landspeed. KCR1001.
  17. ↑ Take A Bite Outta Rhyme - A Rock Tribute To Rap (CD). Canada: Republic Records. 2000. 012 158 301-2.
  18. ↑ "New releases". The Tampa Tribune: Friday extra: 22. July 11, 2003.
  19. ↑ Williams, Damon C. (December 4, 2003). "Hip-hop pioneers keep flame glowing". Philadelphia Daily News: 37 continued on 43.
  20. ↑ McLeer, Michael "Kaves"; McLeer, Adam "ADM" (2003). Graffiti Roc (CD). High Times Records. HTR112.
  21. 1 2 Leibrock, Rachel (October 24, 2008). "Oh, Lordz". The Sacramento Bee: Tickets: 35–36.
  22. 1 2 "Two tier grads have band gig Saturday". Press and Sun-Bulletin: 2D. March 6, 2008.
  23. ↑ Abrams, Howie (11 May 2020). "Lordz of Brooklyn to Return with a New Album, 'Family Reunion' | Features". www.noecho.net. Archived from the original on 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.