YGD Tha Top Dogg

Last updated
Top Dogg
Birth nameDerrick Wade
Also known asYGD, YGD Tha Top Dogg
Born (1979-02-17) February 17, 1979 (age 45)
Grenada, Mississippi [1]
Origin Compton, California, U.S. [1]
Genres
Years active1997–present [1]
LabelsDarkside Music (Current)
Death Row, Priority (1998-2001) [1]

Derrick Wade (born February 17, 1979, in Grenada, Mississippi) better known by his stage name Top Dogg and YGD Tha Top Dogg is an American rapper. Raised in Compton, California, Top Dogg was signed to Suge Knight's Death Row Records. [2] [ full citation needed ] He was rumored to be dead after being shot in April 2003 by Los Angeles Police after a heated argument broke out resulting in a shoot out.[ not verified in body ] He has been criticized for having a similar vocal style as former Death Row Records artist, Snoop Dogg. [3] [ full citation needed ]

Contents

Career

In 1998, Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight planned to launch many new rappers to come for the second generation of Death Row Records. Although he was incarcerated,[ ambiguous ] he pushed rapper Top Dogg (also known as YGD) as his first new face making his television debut appearance in the video "All About U" on the 2Pac "Greatest Hits" album replacing Snoop Dogg. Top Dogg had generated a buzz from a hidden track on the "Gang Related" titled "Goin Back To Cali" aimed toward Biggie Smalls & Puff Daddy. [4] [ full citation needed ] The video, "All About U," received heavy play and Suge followed in 1999 with Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000 album to introduce a brand new roster headed by Top Dogg, Tha Realest, and Soopafly, with Daz Dillinger as the veteran lead-producer.

In 2000, the music video for Top Dogg's "Cindafella" [5] [ full citation needed ] track received minor airplay with an innovative concept produced by TC as many earlier videos and directed by K.C. Amos, and his album "Every Dog Has His Day" [6] [ full citation needed ] was shelved as his contract expired and he was not renewed.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Mixtapes

Compilation albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suge Knight</span> American music executive (born 1965)

Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. is an American record executive, former NFL player, and convicted felon, who is the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Knight was a central figure in gangsta rap's commercial success in the 1990s. This feat is attributed to the record label's first two album releases: Dr. Dre's The Chronic in 1992 and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle in 1993. Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence in prison for a fatal hit-and-run in 2015.

<i>Doggystyle</i> 1993 studio album by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Row Records</span> American record label

Death Row Records is an American record label that was founded in 1991 by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Dick Griffey. The label became a sensation by releasing multi-platinum hip-hop albums by West Coast-based artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle) and 2Pac during the 1990s. At its peak, Death Row was making over US $150 million a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daz Dillinger</span> American rapper and producer (born 1973)

Delmar Drew Arnaud, known professionally as Daz Dillinger or simply Daz, is an American rapper and record producer. As a member of Death Row Records in the early 1990s, he is credited with the label in pioneering West Coast hip hop and gangsta rap for mainstream audiences. Alongside Kurupt, he formed the hip hop duo tha Dogg Pound in 1992, with whom he has released eight albums.

<i>Dogg Food</i> 1995 studio album by Tha Dogg Pound

Dogg Food is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Tha Dogg Pound, released on October 31, 1995, by Death Row Records, Interscope Records and Priority Records. The album features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Michel'le, The Lady of Rage, Tray Deee, and Mr. Malik. Two singles were released from the album: "Let's Play House" and "New York, New York".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tha Dogg Pound</span> American hip hop duo

Tha Dogg Pound is an American hip hop duo composed of West Coast rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. They were among the first acts to sign to Death Row Records in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Quik</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1968)

David Marvin Blake, better known by his stage names DJ Quik or Da Quiksta, is an American rapper and record producer from Compton, California, known for his production in the G-funk style of West Coast hip-hop. Blake has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tupac, Chingy, R. Kelly and Shaquille O'Neal, among others. As a recording artist himself, he is perhaps best known for his 1991 single "Tonite", which within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Blake's stage name refers to his ability of producing songs in a short period of time.

<i>Nu-Mixx Klazzics</i> 2003 remix album by 2Pac

Nu-Mixx Klazzics is a remix album by American rapper 2Pac, released in 2003 under Death Row Records and Koch Records. The album includes several songs from All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, with remixed instrumentals and new guest vocals from artists such as Crooked I, Aaron Hall, K-Ci & JoJo, and Danny Boy. Nu-Mixx Klazzics was generally disliked by critics upon its release. The remixes were criticized for being another Death Row 'cash in' featuring low quality versions of the original tracks.

<i>Tha Doggfather</i> 1996 studio album by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 12, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records. After the success of his debut album Doggystyle (1993), Snoop was arrested and charged with murder and in 1995, spent time preparing for the case that went to trial. On February 20, 1996, he was cleared of all charges and began working on his second album without Dr. Dre providing work as a record producer. This was Snoop's final album on Death Row until 2022, when he acquired the rights to the Death Row trademarks from MNRK Music Group, releasing BODR the same year. This would also be his last album under the moniker Snoop Doggy Dogg before it was shortened to Snoop Dogg. Recording sessions took place from February 1996 to October 1996, with Suge Knight as the executive producer on the album, alongside the additional production from several record producers such as DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly and L.T. Hutton; as well as guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Kurupt, Tray Dee and Warren G, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Boy (singer)</span> American singer (born 1977)

Daniel Steward, better known as Danny Boy, is an American R&B/soul singer.

<i>Live at the House of Blues</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 2005 live album by 2Pac

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues is a live album and the final concert by American rapper 2Pac. The performance was recorded at the House of Blues, Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California, on July 4, 1996 and released on both CD and DVD on September 5, 2005.

Jevon Jones is an American rapper better known by his stage name Tha Realest, and formerly Tenkamenin The Vigilante. His debut album, Witness Tha Realest, was released on July 14, 2009, following numerous delays. Tha Realest is also known, often in a negative light, for his strikingly similar voice to deceased rapper and former label-mate, Tupac Shakur. Tha Realest is also a member of The Regime.

<i>Against the Grain</i> (Kurupt album) 2005 studio album by Kurupt

Against the Grain is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper Kurupt. It was released on August 23, 2005, through Death Row Records, making it his first and, to date, only solo album for the label. The album was produced by Mark Sparks, Doug Mayhem, Sir Jinx, Baby-C-Style, Blaqthoven, Diverse, Joshua Andrews, Ric Rude, Screwface, and tha Row Hitters, with Suge Knight serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Eastwood, Tri Star, Young Tone, 2Pac, Dave Hollister, Domination, M.O.P., Potion, Roscoe, Spider Loc, the Dayton Family, and Val C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry</span> 1990s dispute between hip hop artists and fans in the US

The East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry is a dispute between artists and fans of the East Coast hip hop and West Coast hip hop scenes in the United States, especially from the mid-1990s. A focal point of the rivalry was the feud between East Coast–based rapper the Notorious B.I.G. signed by Puff Daddy and their New York City–based label, Bad Boy Records, and West Coast–based rapper Tupac Shakur signed by Suge Knight and their Los Angeles–based label, Death Row Records. Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. were murdered in drive-by shootings within six months of each other, after which the feud entered a truce with a "peace" summit in 1997 at the behest of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1972)

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.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth and final studio album by American rapper 2Pac to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, just 7 months before his death by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.

Danny Elliott Means II, better known by his stage name Butch Cassidy, is an American singer from Long Beach, California. He has worked with numerous West Coast hip hop musicians, including Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube, Xzibit, Warren G, Mack-10, Tray Deee, E-40, WC, DJ Quik, DJ Battlecat, Tha Eastsidaz and more.

<i>Death Row Greatest Hits</i> 1996 greatest hits album by various artists

Death Row Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album and second double album released by Death Row Records. Released on November 26, 1996, the thirty-three song compilation contains hits by former and then-current Death Row artists as well as previously unreleased tracks and remixes. The album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum on August 12, 1999.

<i>Death Row: The Singles Collection</i> 2007 compilation album by Death Row Records

Death Row: The Singles Collection is a compilation album released in 2007 by CEO of Death Row Recordings, Suge Knight, it contains hard to find remixes and b sides by artists such as Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, 2Pac, Dr. Dre plus more. This has been removed from Apple Music

"Pimp Slapp'd" is a diss song by American West Coast hip hop recording artist Snoop Dogg, taken from his sixth studio album, Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ (2002).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jake Paine (2011-09-05). "YGD Top Dogg Recalls Controversies While At Death Row Records, New Album" . Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  2. YGD Top Dogg HipHop DX. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  3. YGD Top Dogg Interview DubCNN. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  4. YGD Top Dogg Interview HipHop Vibe. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  5. Cindafella Music Video Youtube Video. Retrieved 2016-06-23
  6. Every Dogg Has His Day Review 30Rap.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  7. All About U remix AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  8. We Don't Love Em' AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  9. Top Dogg Cindafella Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-06-23.