N2Deep | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Vallejo, California, U.S. |
Genres | West Coast hip hop, rap rock, gangsta rap, Chicano rap |
Years active | 1989–present |
Labels | 40 Ounce Records, Swerve Records, Bust It, Profile Records |
Members | James "Jay Tee" Trujillo Timothy "TL" Lyon |
Past members | Lofty (Joe Battle) |
Website | The Band's MySpace Page |
N2Deep is an American Chicano rap duo formed in Vallejo, California in 1989. Consisting of James "Jay Tee" Trujillo and Timothy "TL" Lyon, they are best known for the 1992 hit single "Back to the Hotel", the title track of their debut album. Early third member John "Johnny Z" Zunino officially left the group as a performing member in its first year to focus exclusively on production and related behind-the-scenes responsibilities.
The group was formed in 1989 in Vallejo, California by Johnny Z (John Zunino), Jay Tee (James Trujillo) and TL (Timothy Lyon). While attending college in Sacramento, Johnny Z began producing hip hop music and after graduating and moving back to Vallejo, TL referred Johnny to an aspiring rapper, Jay Tee. The three began writing and recording hip hop demos and performing live shows originally as 3DEEP. Before long, Johnny Z decided to work strictly behind the scenes and on the music and production end, while Jay Tee and TL performed the vocals and live shows.
In 1990, the group now known as N2DEEP released an up-tempo single on vinyl record and cassette titled "Work That Body" on Rated Z Recordz, a label and production company started by Johnny Z. The single saw some club play and opened the doors for more live shows throughout the Bay Area. By 1992, the group and Rated Z prepared to release an EP, titled Back At The Hotel. Just before the cassette tape and vinyl record were to be released, N2DEEP, Johnny, and then Rated Z consultant, Steve Bernstein decided to send the tape to Cory Robbins of Profile Records. Cory then contacted Steve and offered a production contract to Rated Z for the group. By May 1992, the first single, now titled "Back to the Hotel," was released on Profile Records and distributed by Landmark Distributors (owned by businessman Jeffrey Collins). "Back to the Hotel" quickly moved up the charts, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. An eponymous full-length album (N2Deep's debut studio album) was also released, both eventually received RIAA certified gold records for sales of over 500,000.
The group enjoyed much success from the single and album and toured the country performing numerous live shows, including KMEL’s Summer Jam on more than one occasion.
In 1993, N2DEEP signed with management company Bust It, and began recording their second album. But before anything from the album could get released, Profile Records was sold and the group was dropped from the label. Bust It quickly released the second album, 24-7-365 , but despite some initial radio success expectations quickly became pessimistic, and 24-7-365 ultimately failed to approach the sales and notoriety of Back to the Hotel.
After a roughly three-year hiatus, the group would go on to release The Golden State in 1997 on independent label Swerve Records. In 1998, N2Deep released The Rumble ; it was in fact predominantly a Jay Tee solo, with TL appearing on only a single song. In 2000, Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish would follow suit as another Jay Tee solo work under the N2Deep moniker, with TL this time entirely absent.
In 2001, Jay Tee dropped the N2Deep moniker and began releasing solo albums under his own name; the duo, however never officially broke up. In 2007, N2Deep released a DVD with music videos, interviews and behind the scenes footage, entitled N2Deep: More Than Money.
In 2008, Jay Tee and TL de facto reformed N2Deep and started performing with longtime friend and rapper Joe "Lofty" Battle, guitarist and producer Mike "Big Mike" Mekhalian, drummer Andrew Fox, and bassist Gregory Holben (later replaced by Ray B. Williams). The reformed group successfully started performing shows across the Bay Area to promote their upcoming new album The Movement. The album was released on November 18, 2008 on Jay Tee's own label, 40 Ounce Records.
For nearly two decades, N2Deep have remained an underground presence in Northern California and the Bay Area rap scene, releasing several group and solo albums on their respective independent labels.
On January 22, 2011, while visiting with friends and family, Joe "Lofty" Battle and his wife, Tamera, were killed in a motorcycle accident in Vacaville, California. [1]
UGK was an American hip hop duo from Port Arthur, Texas, formed in 1987, by Chad "Pimp C" Butler and Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. They released their first major-label album, Too Hard to Swallow, in 1992, followed by several other albums charting on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, including the self-titled Underground Kingz album, which contained their single "International Players Anthem " and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, in August 2007. The duo has also been featured on hit singles by several other artists, such as "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z and "Sippin' on Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. Pimp C founded UGK Records in late 2005. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C died in his West Hollywood, California hotel room.
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It'z Real Out Here is the sixth studio album by Vallejo, California rapper, Celly Cel. The album was released in 2005 for 33rd Street Records and was produced by Celly Cel and Sam Bostic. The album was not a commercial success and featured no charting singles. Guests include WC, E-40, Juvenile and Jay Tee of N2Deep.
Back to the Hotel is the debut album by American rap group N2Deep, released June 23, 1992, on Profile Records. The album was produced by N2Deep and Jonny Z. The only guests on the album were fellow Vallejo, California, artists B-Legit and E-40. Along with singles, music videos were released for three songs: "Back to the Hotel", "Toss Up" and "The Weekend". "The Weekend" was directed by Michael Luccro.
The Golden State is the third studio album by rap group N2Deep. The album was released in 1997 on Swerve Records and was produced by Johnny Z, Jay Tee, Funk Daddy, Ken Franklin and Dave G. Four singles were included on the album: "Day 2 Day Basis", "Threesome", "Parkin' Lot Pimpin'" and "Cali Lifestyles". Guests on the album include Baby Beesh, Mary Jane Girls, Mac Dre, Dru Down and PSD.
The Rumble is the fourth studio album and eighth album overall released by N2Deep. Although this album was released under the artist name N2Deep, The Rumble can actually be considered a Jay Tee solo album as TL only participates on one track, "1st We Drink Then We Smoke". The album was released in 1998 for Lightyear Entertainment and was produced by Johnny Z, Jay Tee, DJ Mark 7 and others. Three singles were released, "1st We Drink Then We Smoke", "We Get's Down Like That" and "All Night" and guests include Baby Beesh, The Mossie, Taydatay, Don Cisco, Mac Dre, Slow Pain and Roger Troutman.
The Best of N2Deep is the first greatest hits compilation and eighth album overall by rap group, N2Deep. The compilation was released in 1999 for Soul Town Records and was produced by N2Deep, Johnny Z and others. In 2002 the project was remastered and reissued with the same track listing on Jay Tee's own label 40 Ounce Records. The remastering was done by Larry Funk.
Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish is the fifth studio album and eighth album overall released by N2Deep. Although this album was released under the name N2Deep it is actually a Jay Tee solo album as TL does not participate on this project. The album was released in 2000 for Swerve Records and was produced by Jay Tee, Philly Blunt and Ken Franklin. Latino Velvet, PSD and Mac Dre all make guest appearances on this album.
Unreleased Game 1993: The Lost Album is an album of previously unreleased material by American rap group N2Deep. Although recorded in 1993, it wasn't released until October 22, 2002, subsequently on Jay Tee's own label, 40 Ounce Records. The album was produced by Johnny Z and Jay Tee, in 2002. It features an early performance by Baby Beesh and his group Potna Deuce.
Steve Davison, better known as PSD, PSD Tha Drivah or Stevie Dee, is a rapper and producer from Vallejo, California, who is closely associated with the late Mac Dre.
James Trujillo, better known by his stage name Jay Tee, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He has been a part of the city's scene since the early 1990s as the lead member of N2Deep and Latino Velvet along with Baby Beesh. Even though N2Deep's 2000 album Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish was a solo album, it was not until 2001 that Jay Tee released a solo album under his own name, So Cold.
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The Knocks 1992–2000 is a greatest hits compilation by American rapper Jay Tee. It was released February 13, 2001 on Jay Tee's own label, 40 Ounce Records. The songs are culled from the N2Deep and Latino Velvet music catalogs. Two of the songs, "California Hot Tubs" and "What You Do", were newly remixed for this compilation. The album features guest performances by E-40, Mac Dre, Baby Beesh, B-Legit, Levitti, Taydatay, Don Cisco and Frost. It features production by Johnny Z, Ken Franklin, Lev Berlak, Philly Blunt and Jay Tee.
How The Game Go is an album by Vallejo, California rapper Jay Tee, from N2Deep/Latino Velvet.
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The Mossie was an American rap group from Vallejo, California, with members: Kaveo, Mugzi and Tap Dat Ass. They first appeared together on E-40's 1993 EP, The Mail Man. Before dropping their 1997 debut album, Have Heart Have Money, on Sick Wid It and Jive Records, they appeared together on several other Sick Wid It releases, including: The Hogg in Me, The Hemp Museum and Southwest Riders.
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