Young Gunz

Last updated
Young Gunz
Also known asChris and Neef
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rappers
Years active2001–present
Labels
MembersNeef Buck
Young Chris

Young Gunz is an American hip hop duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, composed of rappers Young Chris (born Chris Ries in 1983) and Neef Buck (born Hanif Muhammad in 1983). The group is part of Beanie Sigel's State Property collective and was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. Young Gunz' debut single, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", made the top 15 on the Billboard charts in 2003.

Contents

History

State Property

Ries and Muhammad had been friends since they were youths on the block(C-Ave). [1] On "Takeover", a track from his 2001 album The Blueprint , Jay-Z announced the duo as "Chris & Neef". [2]

In 2002, the duo performed on the State Property soundtrack album. [2] Chris and Neef starred in the titular movie. Also during this period of their career, Young Chris appeared throughout Dame Dash's Dream Team compilation, and Beanie Sigel's The Reason . The duo performed together on guest appearances for albums like Jay-Z's The Blueprint 2 , Freeway's Philadelphia Freeway , State Property's The Chain Gang Vol. 2 , and Memphis Bleek's M.A.D.E. ; all while recording their album.

The Young Gunz scored their first hit with "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", the lead-off single from the Chain Gang, Vol. 2 album. Its song and video received major airplay on hip-hop radio, MTV2, and BET [3] and reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

As a group

After the success of their single, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", the label jumped and was ready to release their debut album, Tough Luv. It included the remix to "Can't Stop, Won't Stop", which featured St. Louis rapper Chingy. Singles included "No Better Love" featuring former Roc-A-Fella Records crooner Rell and the Just Blaze-produced "Friday Night". Tough Luv debuted on the Billboard 200 at #3 after selling 128,000 copies in its first week. That week, the album at #2 was labelmate Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout , which was released just two weeks earlier. [4]

After a brief hiatus, the duo returned with Swizz Beatz produced "Set It Off" from their second album, Brothers from Another. This albums, which was released May, 24th 2005, sales were somewhat of a disappointment compared to the first, despite the decent exposure of the lead single, promotion from Jay-Z himself, TV, radio & magazine appearances. It was the second release from the "new" Roc-A-Fella Records, referencing when Jay-Z became president of Def Jam Records, the first being Memphis Bleek's 534. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at #15, and included guest features from Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Slim of 112 (Marvin Scandrick III) and John Legend. [5]

Disputes with other rap artists

The Young Gunz were part of a public beef and a war of words with West Coast rapper, The Game. The feud stems from The Game's beef with Memphis Bleek, which escalated into a beef with the entire Roc-A-Fella camp with the exception of Kanye West, Jay-Z and Just Blaze. The Game dissed Bleek and The Young Gunz on his 15-minute freestyle track "300 Bars and Runnin'". [6] The Young Gunz, along with Pooda Brown, responded with a freestyle of their own. Surprisingly, Chris & Neef started a beef with actor, comedian and rapper, Katt Williams. This beef stemmed from "Set It Off" by the Young Gunz, in which they called a character from a movie that Katt Williams played as, a "fake ass pimp." This beef was encouraged by The Game as he and Katt dissed the two on a Freestyle over their own "Set It Off" beat. [7]

Young Chris solo work

As early as March 2006, Young Chris thought about recording a solo album. He initially titled it Now or Never. [8] He stated to XXL magazine that he wanted to release a solo album by the end of 2008 and had been "95 percent done" by June 2008. In this article, Chris also states that he feels himself up there with Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana. [9] Since this time, Chris has taken to the internet to solidify himself as a top solo artist, with his YoungChris.com Social Network, hitting the remix circuit, and his much anticipated "The Network" Mixtape series, hosted by DJ Don Cannon. Later in 2010 signed with Division 1, a label started by Rico Love, under the Universal/Motown umbrella. Rico considers Young Chris his flagship artist, working closely with Chris on his debut album and pre-album/mixtape. The mixtape, called "The Re-Introduction", was released on November 20, 2010. The aptly titled mixtape gives the spotlight to a newly signed Young Chris, as a solo artist, and also, re-introduces the combination of DJ Drama and Don Cannon, the former "Affiliates" partners, hosting their first mixtape together, in several years. [10]

On January 28, a song called "Philly Shit (Mega Mix)" featuring Eve, Black Thought, Money Malc, Fat Joe, Fred the Godson, Diggy Simmons, Jermaine Dupri & Game was leaked. [11]

Discography

Solo albums

Collaboration albums

Filmography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cam'ron</span> American rapper

Cameron Ezike Giles, better known by his stage name Cam'ron, is an American rapper. Beginning his career in the mid-1990s as Killa Cam, Giles signed to Lance "Un" Rivera's Untertainment, an imprint of Epic Records and released his first two studio albums Confessions of Fire (1998) and S.D.E. (2000), the former earned gold certification by the RIAA. After leaving Epic, Giles signed to Roc-A-Fella Records in 2001 to release his third studio album Come Home with Me the following year. It received platinum certification by the RIAA and contained his highest-charting singles to date: "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma", which peaked at No. 4 and No. 3 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. His fourth studio album, Purple Haze was released in 2004 to continued success, earning gold certification by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freeway (rapper)</span> American rapper from Pennsylvania

Leslie Edward Pridgen, better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first gained recognition after appearing on Jay-Z's fifth album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia in 2000. The following year, he became a member of the Philadelphia-based hip hop collective State Property, which were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. Prior to releasing his debut studio album, Philadelphia Freeway (2003), Pridgen would sign to Roc-A-Fella as a solo artist. Upon release, the album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical response. He would release a follow-up, Free at Last (2007) to moderate reception before him and fellow State Property cohorts were dropped from the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc-A-Fella Records</span> American hip hop record label

Roc-A-Fella Records was an American hip hop record label and music management company founded by record executives and entrepreneurs Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke in 1994. The former issued his debut album, Reasonable Doubt (1996) as the label's first release, in a joint venture with Priority Records. The label has since signed and released albums for acts including Kanye West, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Juelz Santana, Freeway, Jadakiss, Teairra Marí, State Property, and Dipset before its dissolution in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Bleek</span> American rapper and hype man

Malik Deshawn Cox, known by his stage name Memphis Bleek, is an American rapper and songwriter. He first became known for his affiliation with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z, with Cox often being described as his hype man and protégé. Cox signed to his Roc-A-Fella Records label imprint in the late 1990s and released four major label studio albums: Coming of Age (1999), The Understanding (2000), M.A.D.E. (2003), and 534 (2005). He has since founded his own labels: Get Low Records in 1998, and Warehouse Music Group in 2016, with the latter signing rapper Casanova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beanie Sigel</span> American rapper (born 1974)

Dwight Equan Grant, better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first became known for his association with Jay-Z, as he became a flagship artist for his now-defunct label imprint, Roc-A-Fella Records. Through the label, Grant released his debut studio album The Truth in February 2000 to critical and commercial success.

State Property is a rap group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, led by rapper Beanie Sigel with Philadelphia rappers Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Oschino Vasquez, and Omillio Sparks, and the duo Young Gunz. State Property was signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, but their future as a group is in dispute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amil</span> American rapper and singer (born 1973)

Amil Kahala Whitehead is an American former rapper and singer. Based in New York City, she signed to prominent hometown native Jay-Z through his Roc-A-Fella Records label imprint in 1997. The following year, she co-performed on his single "Can I Get A..." alongside Ja Rule for the Rush Hour film soundtrack.

<i>Unfinished Business</i> (Jay-Z and R. Kelly album) Album by R. Kelly and Jay-Z

Unfinished Business is the second and final collaboration album between American rapper Jay-Z and American singer R. Kelly. The album was released worldwide on October 26, 2004. It was distributed in the United States and Canada by Jive Records and Island Def Jam Music Group, by the Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) and its subsidiary Jive Records, except in Canada and the United States of America where Island Def Jam Music Group and its labels Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records replaced BMG. The album was composed of unreleased tracks from the recording sessions of 2002's The Best of Both Worlds, although slight additions were made.

Roosevelt Harrell III professionally known as Bink is an American hip hop producer from Norfolk, Virginia, who is noted for his work with Roc-A-Fella Records artists. His most high-profile work has been Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint, for which he produced three tracks, including the first and last tracks on the album. He is sometimes credited as Bink! or Bink Dog. In 2011, Bink and American-reggae artist Atiba finished a collaborative album titled Foreigner. A release date for the project has yet to be announced.

<i>534</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Memphis Bleek

534 is the fourth studio album by rapper Memphis Bleek. It was released by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings on May 17, 2005. The album was executive produced Bleek's mentor and childhood friend Jay-Z, who also recorded the song "Dear Summer" for the album. Other guests include Young Gunz, M.O.P., and Rihanna, whose appearance on the song "The One" was the major label debut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4 da Fam</span> 1999 single by Amil

"4 da Fam" is a song by American rapper Amil, featuring verses from American rappers Jay-Z, Memphis Bleek, and Beanie Sigel. Ty Fyffe produced the song. It was released on Roc-A-Fella as the second single from her debut album All Money Is Legal. In the song's lyrics, Amil boasts about being the best female rapper, and Jay-Z discusses his fears of becoming a father, which his verse suggests he believed was about to occur at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Chris</span> American rapper from Pennsylvania

Christopher Francis Ries, known professionally as Young Chris, is an American rapper. He rose to fame as one-half of the Philadelphia-based hip hop duo Young Gunz alongside rapper Neef Buck, which themselves were also apart of Philadelphia hip hop group State Property; both acts that were signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...</span> 2007 single by Jay-Z

"Roc Boys ..." is the second single from Jay-Z's tenth studio album, American Gangster. The song is produced by Skyz Muzik, Diddy and two of his producers known as LV and Sean C from his production team, The Hitmen. It features additional vocals by Beyoncé, Kanye West and Cassie. The song samples "Make the Road by Walking" by The Menahan Street Band. On December 11, 2007, Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2007.

<i>The Chain Gang Vol. 2</i> 2003 studio album by State Property

The Chain Gang Vol. 2 is the second studio album by rap group State Property. It was released in August 2003 to positive reviews. Young Gunz' "Can't Stop Won't Stop" was later nominated for the 2003 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Grammy Award. The album sold 296,000 units. The album sold 69,000 in its first week

<i>Tough Luv</i> 2004 studio album by Young Gunz

Tough Luv is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Young Gunz. It was released on February 24, 2004 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions took place at Sony Music Studios, Baseline Studios and Quad Recording in New York, and at The Studio and Homebase Studios in Philadelphia. Production was handled by Chad Hamilton, Just Blaze, Bink!, Boola, Darrell "Digga" Branch, Ez Elpee, Ruggedness and Scott Storch, with Jay-Z, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Denim, Beanie Sigel, Cam'ron, Chingy, Freeway, Jay-Z, Juelz Santana, Omillio Sparks and Rell.

<i>Brothers from Another</i> 2005 studio album by Young Gunz

Brothers from Another is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Young Gunz. It was released on May 24, 2005 via Roc-A-Fella Records. Production was handled by Chad Hamilton, Swizz Beatz, Boola, Bangladesh and Kanye West, with Jay-Z serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Pooda Brown, 112, Daz Dillinger, John Legend, Kanye West and Memphis Bleek.

<i>Rapid Fire</i> (mixtape) 2008 mixtape by Young Gunz

Rapid Fire is a mixtape by Philadelphia rap-duo Young Gunz. It was recorded in 2005, but was not released until January 29, 2008. Unlike the previous two albums by Young Chris and Neef Buck, the album was not a Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam release, but a release on their own record label, named Young Gunz Media. Most of these tracks had appeared on several mixtapes, and Rapid Fire is therefore different from Tough Luv and Brothers from Another. There are three appearances by Pooda Brown, one from Rell and one from Deemi.

<i>State Property</i> (film) 2002 film directed by Abdul Malik Abbott

State Property is a 2002 American crime film starring Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, Damon Dash and Jay-Z. It was produced by Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella and distributed by Lions Gate Films. Abdul Malik Abbott directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay with Ernest "Tron" Anderson. The film was loosely based on Aaron Jones and the JBM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's drug trade from the late 1980s to early 1990s. It was followed by a sequel, State Property 2 which was released in 2005.

"Flipside" is a song by American rapper Freeway and the third single from his debut studio album Philadelphia Freeway (2003). It features American rapper Peedi Crakk and was produced by Just Blaze.

References

  1. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2003-08-12). "Young Gunz Becoming The Big Shots Of State Property". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. 1 2 Birchmeier, Jason (2005). "Young Gunz Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  3. ↑ Kellman, Andy (2004-02-24). "Tough Luv > Overview". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  4. ↑ Martens, Todd (2004-03-03). "Norah Makes Comfy 'Home' At No. 1". Billboard.
  5. ↑ Audioslave Opens at #1 | Billboard
  6. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2005-06-22). "Game Calls Attacks On 50, G-Unit Self-Defense: 'I Felt Like It's Five Against One'". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  7. ↑ Katt Williams & Game "Set it Off" on YouTube
  8. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2006-03-20). "N.O.R.E. Makes Diddy Speak Spanish; Young Gunz Reload". Mixtape Monday. MTV News. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  9. ↑ Thomas, Anthony (2008-06-26). "Young Chris, "I'm up there with Wayne and Juelz"". XXL.
  10. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (2010-11-22). "Young Chris Gets His Re-Introduction Courtesy Of Usher Pal Rico Love". Mixtape Daily. MTV News. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  11. ↑ "Young Chris f. Eve, Black Thought, Money Malc, Fat Joe, Fred The Godson, Diggy Simmons, Jermaine Dupri & Game "Philly Shit Mega-Mix"". HipHopDX.com. 2011-01-29. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
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.