West Coast hip-hop is a regional genre of hip-hop music that encompasses any artists or music that originated in the West Coast of the United States. West Coast hip-hop began to dominate from a radio play and sales standpoint during the early to-mid 1990s with the birth of G-funk and the emergence of record labels such as Suge Knight and Dr. Dre's Death Row Records, Ice Cube's Lench Mob Records, the continued success of Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and others.
Dilated Peoples is an American Los Angeles-based hip hop trio, composed of rapper and record producer Evidence, rapper Rakaa, and Beat Junkies deejay and record producer DJ Babu. The group is better known in the UK, where they reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, "This Way" and "Worst Comes to Worst". Their songs were featured in the 2003 video games Need for Speed: Underground and NBA Street Vol. 2, as well as MLB 06: The Show.
Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper and unofficial member The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."
Roger McBride, better known by his stage name King T, is an American West Coast hip hop rapper from Compton, California. Emerging as one of Compton's earliest hip hop artists, he was signed to Capitol Records, where he released his debut album Act a Fool in 1988 with the hit singles "Act a Fool," "Payback's A Mutha," "The Coolest," and "Bass” [Remix], all of which were considered hip-hop classics. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he worked primarily with producer DJ Pooh, and was responsible for the rise of Tha Alkaholiks, whom he helped guide into the rap game. King T is also the CEO of his own record label, King T Inc.
Loud Records, LLC. is a record label founded by Steve Rifkind and Rich Isaacson in 1991. Rifkind served as the chief executive officer while Isaacson served as the president of the label.
Da Lench Mob was an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers Shorty, T-Bone, J-Dee, Del, Woody, Yo Yo, Sir Jinx, K-Dee, Kam, Maulkie, and Ice Cube. Their Islamic religious and social politically inspired-lyrics garnered much attention.
40 Dayz & 40 Nightz is the second studio album by American rapper Xzibit. It was released on August 25, 1998, through Loud Records and RCA Records. Recording sessions took place at Sound Castle and at Area51 in Los Angeles, at N-House Studioz and at Record One in Studio City, at Track Record, Inc. in North Hollywood, and at The Enterprise in Burbank. Production was handled by Sir Jinx, Bud'da, A Kid Called Roots, DJ Pen One, E-Swift, Jesse West, Mel-Man, Montage One, Soopafly, The Glove and Xzibit himself. It features guest appearances from fellow Likwit Crew teammates Montage One, Defari, King Tee and Tha Alkaholiks, and the Golden State Project members Ras Kass and Saafir, as well as West Coast rapper Jayo Felony and Staten Island rapper Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album debuted at number 58 on the Billboard 200 and number 14 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States, and at number 32 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart.
21 & Over is the debut studio album by American hip hop trio tha Alkaholiks. It was released on August 24, 1993, via Loud/RCA Records. The recording sessions took place at Yo Mama's House, in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Lootpack, King Tee, Derrick "D. Pimp" Williams, and tha Alkaholiks, who also served as executive producers with Fabian Duvernay. It features guest appearances from King Tee, Field Trip, Lootpack, and Threat. The album peaked at number 124 on the Billboard 200 and number 23 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
Coast II Coast is the second studio album by American hip hop trio Tha Alkaholiks. It was released on February 28, 1995 via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Yo Mama's House in Los Angeles. Production was handled by Diamond D, Madlib, and Tha Liks themselves. It features guest appearances from King Tee, Declaime, Diamond D, Lootpack, Q-Tip, The Baby Bubbas and Xzibit. The album reached number 50 on the Billboard 200 and number 12 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States. Its lead single "Daaam!" peaked at No. 85 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and No. 20 on the Hot Rap Singles, while the second single off of the album, "Next Level", landed at No. 43 on the Hot Rap Singles.
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he formed Tha Dogg Pound in 1992 along with Daz Dillinger; the rap duo has released eight albums. He also formed the hip hop group The Hrsmn in 1996, with whom he has released two albums. His debut solo album, Kuruption! (1998) was released by A&M Records and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.
Likwidation is the third studio album by American hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks. It was released on August 26, 1997, via Loud Records. Recording sessions took place at Enterprise Studio in Burbank, California, at Yo Mama's House and at Sound Castle Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Production was primarily handled by member E-Swift, as well as Madlib, Easy Mo Bee, T-Smoov, and Marley Marl. It features guest appearances from Xzibit, Keith Murray, King Tee, Lootpack, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Phil da Agony, The WhoRidas, with cameos from DeBarge, LL Cool J and Nas. The album peaked at number 57 on the Billboard 200 and number 15 on Top R&B Albums chart. Its lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies", became the group's biggest hit in 1997, peaking at No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Firewater is the fifth and final studio album by American hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks. It was released on January 24, 2006, via Waxploitation/Koch Records. Recording sessions took place at Street Soul Studios in Los Angeles. Production was handled by members E-Swift and J-Ro, The Rural, Breakmecanix, Danger Mouse, Evidence and Keezo Kane. It features guest appearances from Bishop Lamont, King T and Styliztik Jones.
The Likwit Crew is an American hip hop collective from California, founded by Compton-based rapper King Tee. Considered to have been originated in 1992 when King Tee introduced Tha Alkaholiks trio, composed of members E-Swift, J-Ro and Tash, on the lead single "Got It Bad Y'all" from his third studio album Tha Triflin' Album.
Tha Triflin' Album is the third studio album by West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It was released on January 26, 1993, via Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place in 1992 in California. Production was handled by nine record producers, including DJ Pooh, DJ Aladdin, Bobcat, Marley Marl, Tha Alkaholiks, Broadway, SLJ, Mr. Woody, and King T himself. It also features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Deadly Threat, Nefretitti, Mad Kap, and Tha Alkaholiks. The album spawned two singles: "Got It Bad Y'all" and "Black Togetha Again". Both singles were later included on King Tee's greatest hits compilation Ruff Rhymes: Greatest Hits Collection. The album peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The success of this album is quite significant as it allowed King Tee's protégés, Tha Alkaholiks, to gain a following. It also provided a foundation for King Tee's Likwit Crew.
Rico Smith, better known by his stage name Tash, is an American rapper. He is most known for his work as a member of the West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks alongside J-Ro and E-Swift. Tash has released two solo albums, Rap Life (1999) and Control Freek (2009), and worked on five albums with Tha Alkaholiks.
Rap Life is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Tash. It was released on November 2, 1999, via Loud Records. The recording sessions took place at Skip Saylor Recording, Enterprise Studios, Troposphere Studios, Mirror Image Studios, and Soundcastle. The production was handled by E-Swift, Fredwreck, Minnesota, Rockwilder, DJ Battlecat, Knobody, Younglord and Sir Jinx. It features guest appearances from Tha Alkaholiks, Phil Da Agony, B-Real, Carl Thomas, Kurupt, L.V., Outkast, Philip Johnson, Raekwon, Xzibit and Ice-T. The album reached number 148 on the Billboard 200, number 28 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and topped the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States. Its singles—"Rap Life" and "Bermuda Triangle"—were minor success landing on the Hot Rap Songs at No. 45 and 39, respectively.
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner, better known by his stage name Xzibit, is an American rapper, actor, television presenter, and radio personality. He began his musical career in 1992, and signed with Loud Records, an imprint of RCA Records to release his debut studio album, At the Speed of Life (1996). The album saw positive critical reception, modestly entered the Billboard 200, and spawned the single "Paparazzi," which peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. His second album, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz (1998) was met with similar reception and spawned the single "What U See Is What U Get."
Shae Fiol is a Cuban-American singer-songwriter who currently lives in New York City. The name Shae was given to her after the Cuban revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Her mother is American born and her father is of Cuban descent. Shae's sound is described as acoustic soul, with Latin and jazz influence. She has been compared to artists Nelly Furtado, Esthero, and Sade.
Morgan Rodriguez, professionally known by his stage name MC Breeze, is an American rapper from Los Angeles. He released his only studio album, T.Y.S.O.N. , in 1989 via Atlantic Records. The album, which was produced by the L.A. Posse, made it to number 60 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The record spawned two singles: "Great Big Freak" and "L.A. Posse". The latter peaked at No. 79 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, No. 8 on the US Hot Rap Songs, and later was ranked at No. 64 by Complex's list of The 100 Best L.A. Rap Songs.
