Robert L. Green, Jr., better known by his stage name Spice 1, is an American rapper born in Corsicana, Texas.^[1] He has consistently been releasing solo and group albums since 1992. Spice 1 was ranked number 56 in The Source magazine's Top 115 Hip-Hop Artists from 1988–2003. His self-titled debut was also listed in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

Jive Records (1991-1999)[link]

His rap name is a acronym for "Sex, Pistols, Indo, Cash, and Entertainment".^[2] He was first discovered by rapper Too Short. His first release, Let It Be Known EP, was not well known or widely released, and included seven old-school style tracks. His self-titled debut album Spice 1 was a very vivid and fatalistic gangsta rap album, and his angry, edgy, and pessimistic rapping style and tone only added to the despair emanating from the disc. He followed it with an even more bitter and nihilistic release, 187 He Wrote in 1993, complete with simulated gunfire. Spice 1 managed to release six albums under Jive records along with one greatest hits album. It was reported by Jive that he has an album called "Full Metal Jacket", which was supposed to release under Jive. However, Spice 1 stated in many interviews that this information was false. It was something Jive wanted to push him into releasing, but he never agreed to do so. Therefore, the album was never released and it is uncertain whether or not songs for this album were used for future albums or if any songs were even recorded for this project.

In 1996, Spice 1 appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, Organized Konfusion, and Fat Joe, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.

While Spice 1 was signed to Jive, three of his albums reached Gold status. According to the RIAA, these albums were Spice 1, 187 He Wrote and AmeriKKKa's Nightmare. He continued to have success on later albums as well, though he never managed receive further certificates for selling over 500,000. Despite this he never changed his image, continuing to retain a gangster image throughout his career on Jive Records. The biggest song in his career was "Trigga Gots No Heart" from the Menace II Society soundtrack. However, at the same time he released "Trigga Gots No Heart", which also served as a first single for his album, fellow rap artist MC Eiht also had a hit single from the soundtrack which took the number one spot called "Streiht Up Menace". After 8 years, Spice 1 released his last album with the label, Immortalized. Though it received good reviews, it was not well promoted and didn't sell as expected. According to Spice 1, he left Jive Records because they wanted him to clean up his image.

Life after Jive (2000 - 2007)[link]

Spice's creative output has ballooned since his release from Jive. He has released more than 10 group and solo albums since.^[3]

Spice 1 recently defended Ice-T in his feud with Soulja Boy Tell 'Em.^[4]

Personal life[link]

He attended Mt. Eden High School in Hayward.^[5]

Spice 1 was shot in the chest on the morning of December 3, 2007, while sitting in his Cadillac Escalade outside his parents' home in Hayward. The shooting is believed to be motivated by robbery, rather than any sort of rivalry. He suffered a collapsed lung.^[6] He talked about the shooting 6 days after it occurred from his hospital bed.^[7]

Discography[link]

• Let It Be Known (1991)
• Spice 1 (1992)
• 187 He Wrote (1993)
• AmeriKKKa's Nightmare (1994)
• 1990-Sick (1995)
• The Black Bossalini (1997)
• Immortalized (1999)
• The Last Dance (2000)
• Spiceberg Slim (2002)
• The Ridah (2004)
• Dyin' 2 Ball (2005)
• The Truth (2005)
• Hallowpoint (2010)
• Home Street Home (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Spice 1 on Myspace

Marcellus McCarver, better know by his stage name Celly Cel, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He released his first single, Lifestyle of a Mack, on his independent record label Realside Records in 1992. He released his debut studio album, Heat 4 Yo Azz, in 1994, and released a second album, Killa Kali, a year later.

In 1996, he appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Fat Joe, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.

His next appearance wasn't until 1998, with his third album: G-Filez. Deep Conversation followed in mid-2000.

Celly has collaborated with fellow Bay Area rappers E-40 & B-Legit on several occasions.^[1]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Compilations[link]

• 1999: The Best of Celly Cel
• 2000: Live From the Ghetto
• 2002: Song'z U Can't Find
• 2006: The Wild West
• 2006: Brings the Gumbo Pot
• 2007: Cali Luv
• 2007: Best of Celly Cel 2: Tha Sick Wid It Dayz

Collaborations[link]

• 2001: Criminal Activity (with Criminalz)
• 2006: Bad Influence (with The Hillside Stranglaz)

External links[link]

• Celly Cel on Myspace

References[link]

This biographical article related to hip hop music in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2008)

Mac Mall, (born Jamal Rocker in Vallejo, California) is a West Coast rapper who became known in the mid/late 1990s as one of the local artists putting the Bay Area on the hip hop map. Mac Mall was signed to Young Black Brotha Records.^[1]

One of Mac Mall's first singles was a song called "Ghetto Theme", of which had a music video directed by Tupac Shakur in 1994. He was also longtime friends with Mac Dre, who was his mentor early on in his career. The two repaired their friendship a couple of years before Dre's death.^{[clarification needed]} He is also cousins to E-40 and B-Legit.

Career[link]

In 1993, Mac Mall released his debut album Illegal Business? on Young Black Brotha records. Entirely produced by Khayree Shaheed, the album featured Ray Luv, Mac Dre and The Mac. Illegal Business? moved over 200,000 units independently, a major feat for an independent artist and record label. He met Tupac Shakur shortly after the albums release, who after praising Mac's music offered to direct a video for the single "Ghetto Theme". In 1995 he contributed a verse to E-40's "Dusted and Disgusted" and Eightball & MJG's "Friend or Foe". In 1996 he signed a record deal with Relativity Records, which released his second, and most commercially successful album, Untouchable.^[1][2]

In 1996, he appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Fat Joe, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.

In 1999, he started his own Sessed Out label, the first release being the compilation Mac Mall Presents the Mallennium, followed by his first solo album on the label and third overall, Illegal Business? 2000 a year later. Though no longer on a major label, he still managed to achieve success on Illegal Business? 2000, which spawned what is perhaps his most well known single, "Wide Open".^[1][2] Immaculate followed in 2001, which would find him once again reuniting with longtime collaborator Khayree Shaheed. After 2002's Mackin Speaks Louder Than Words, he took a 4 year hiatus from solo albums, instead focusing on collaborative efforts with JT the Bigga Figga and Mac Dre. He began work on an album with Mac Dre, which would be called Da U.S. Open. Unfortunately, Dre passed before the album was released, and it ended up being some of Dre's final recordings. ^[3]

In 2006, Mac Mall returned with his first solo album on Thizz Entertainment, Thizziana Stoned and the Temple of Shrooms. "Perfect Poison", a song off of the album, was featured in the video game SKATE. He followed up Thizziana with Mac To The Future in 2009, becoming his second solo album with Thizz.

In 2011 Mac Mall announced that he will release an album in November called The Rebellion Against All There Is.^[4] It will be a joint release with his own label Thizzlamic Records, and Young Black Brotha Records. The Rebellion Against All There Is will include 17 tracks, with features from Ray Luv, Shima, Boss Hogg, Luiyo La Musico and Latriece Love.^[5] The first single from the album is "To Live In The Bay".^[6] Moreover, Mac reunites with producer Khayree, who is said to be producing the whole effort. Seventeen years ago, Khayree produced Mac's Young Black Brotha Records debut, Illegal Business?. It has been 12 years since the Bay Area pair worked together. ^[7] Though initially planned for Novermber 2011, The Rebellion Against All There Is is now scheduled for release on February 21, 2012. A music video for his next single, "The Rebellion Against All There Is", will be released shortly before the album hits stores.

Mac Mall also collaborated with fellow west coast rapper Daniel Jordan and Detroit rapper/Producer Esham on Jordan's 2011 album The Stranger, on the song "Sad Clown".

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 1993: Illegal Business?
• 1996: Untouchable
• 1999: Illegal Business? 2000
• 1999: Mallennium
• 2000: Beware of Those (with JT the Bigga Figga)
• 2001: Immaculate
• 2002: Mackin Speaks Louder Than Words
• 2004: Illegal Game (with JT the Bigga Figga)
• 2004: The Macuscripts, Vol. 1
• 2005: The Macuscripts, Vol. 2
• 2005: The Macuscripts, Vol. 3
• 2005: The Macuscripts, Vol. 4
• 2005: Da U.S. Open (with Mac Dre)
• 2006: Thizziana Stoned and the Temple of Shrooms
• 2009: Mac to the Future
• 2011: The Rebellion Against All There Is (November)^[4][7]

Singles & EPs[link]

• 1994: Sic Wit Tis
• 1994: Ghetto Theme
• 1996: Get Right
• 1999: Wide Open (CD/Cassette Single)

External links[link]

• Mac Mall at Allmusic
• Mac Mall on Twitter

References[link]

Aaron Tyler (born on May 22, 1967 in Compton, California), better known by his stage name MC Eiht, is an American rapper. His stage name was partly inspired by the numeral in KRS-One's name. He chose Eiht for its links to "hood culture", including 8Ball and .38 caliber firearms.^[1] He is a member of the rap group Compton's Most Wanted.

Music career[link]

Tyler grew to fame on the West Coast as one of two MCs in the four-man crew, Compton's Most Wanted. After enjoying increasing success with the group, which peaked with 1992's Music to Driveby, Eiht took a role in the hit movie Menace II Society as well as a high-profile spot on the soundtrack. The song, "Streiht Up Menace," which chronicles the unfortunate downturn of the film's protagonist within the pathological conditions of American inner city life, is considered by many critics to be Eiht's magnum opus.^[2] The movie spurred him into a solo career, although his next two albums We Come Strapped and Death Threatz would be accredited as MC Eiht featuring Compton's Most Wanted. He was also part of the Tragniew Park Compton Crips.

He states that he did not wish to star in comedy films in order to maintain his public image. He later only appeared in the low-budget movies "Reasons," "Thicker Than Water" and "Who Made the Potato Salad?" as well as providing the voice for Lance 'Ryder' Wilson in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.^[3]

He put out Last Man Standing, the first album accredited only to MC Eiht, then broke from the label for Big Beat/Atlantic. Eiht never ended up putting out an album on the label, instead eventually signing to and releasing the album Section 8 on Priority in 1999.^[4] Eiht would hop between record labels and one-off releases in the next years, moving between independent labels Half-Ounce, D3 Entertainment, and Lookin' Up Entertainment from 2001 to 2003. He would put out records with Spice 1 and Brotha Lynch Hung in 2004 and 2006 on Real Talk Ent., releasing another solo album between them on West Inc./Native Records. His inability to settle at a label contributed to his joining The Warzone, a trio put together by Snoop Dogg and consisting of Goldie Loc, Kam and MC Eiht himself. In 2006, Eiht and the group appeared on the single "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)" on Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. MC Eiht also appeared with Young Maylay in Blaq Poet's new street single, Ain't Nuttin' Changed (Remix).

In June 2011, MC Eiht released his single "Fine By Me" accompanied by a music video directed by Director Hugo V. under his new label Year Round/Blue Stamp Records. Year Round Records is owned by New York based hip hop artist DJ Premier.

Discography[link]

Solo Albums[link]

• 1994: We Come Strapped (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1996: Death Threatz (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1997: Last Man Standing
• 1999: Section 8
• 2000: N' My Neighborhood
• 2001: Tha8t'z Gangsta
• 2002: Underground Hero
• 2003: Hood Arrest
• 2004: Smoke in tha City
• 2004: Veterans Day
• 2006: Affiliated
• 2006: Compton's O.G. (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)
• 2007: Representin'
• 2012: Which Way Iz West^[5]

Collaboration Albums[link]

• 1990: It's a Compton Thang (with Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1991: Straight Checkn 'Em (with Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1992: Music to Driveby (with Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1994: We Come Strapped (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)
• 1996: Death Threatz (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)
• 2000: Represent (with Compton's Most Wanted)
• 2004: The Pioneers (with Spice 1)
• 2006: The New Season (with Brotha Lynch Hung)
• 2006: Keep It Gangsta (with Spice 1)
• 2006: Music to Gang Bang (with Compton's Most Wanted)
• 2006: Compton's O.G. (featuring Compton's Most Wanted)

References[link]

External links[link]

• MC Eiht
• MC Eiht at Internet Movie Database
• MC Eiht on Myspace

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

James Savage, better known by his stage name, Jayo Felony is a rapper from southeast San Diego, California. He is known for being the first San Diego rapper to be signed to a major label.^{[citation needed]} Jayo Felony was a member of the Neighborhood Rollin 40's, a Crip gang stretching from the Chollas View to the Mount Hope neighborhoods of Southeast San Diego.

Career[link]

Late years[link]

In 1994 Jayo Felony was signed to the label owned by Jam Master Jay called Jam Master Jay Records. That year Jayo released his debut album, Take a Ride.^[1] In 1998, Jayo released his follow-up album, Whatcha Gonna Do? on Def Jam. It featured rappers like Method Man, DMX, Mack 10, WC, Redman, Kokane, Ice Cube, E-40 and 8 Ball & MJG.

In 1999, he released Underground. He was due to release his fourth album, Hotter Than Fish Grease, in 2000, but for legal reasons the album was never released.^{[citation needed]} Jayo Felony also is now working on his next album called "Don't Get MeatBalled" under his new label Loco Records.

Jayo is looking to sign with Priority Records / Doggystyle Records.

Tha Dogg Pound[link]

In 2001, Jayo Felony claimed that Snoop Dogg stole the song "Crip Hop" and started an altercation on the set of Baby Boy. Snoop and Tha Eastsidaz took shots at Jayo on the song "Fuck All That Yappin" in addition Jayo responded with "You's A Character" explaining the Baby Boy situation. In 2003, Jayo Felony later became involved in a rivalry with Daz Dillinger, for collaborating with Kurupt, and creating a group with him called "The Rifleman". Now they are all on good terms and Kurupt is back together with Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Take a Ride
  • Released: May 30, 1994
  • Chart Positions: #65 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
  • Last RIAA description:
  • U.S. sales :141,827
  • Singles: "Sherm Sticc", "Loc Is On His Own"

• Whatcha Gonna Do?
  • Released: Aug 25, 1998
  • Chart Position: #46 US
  • Last RIAA description:
  • U.S. sales : 146,308 copies
  • Singles: "Nitty Gritty", "Watcha Gonna Do?"

• Underground
  • Released: Nov 16, 1999
  • Chart Positions:US #46
  • Last RIAA description:
  • U.S. sales :143,946
  • Singles:"What Ya Need"

• Crip Hop
  • Released: Oct 23, 2001
  • Chart Positions: # 10 Top independent
  • Last RIAA description:
  • U.S. sales :143,946
  • Singles: "She Loves Me"

• Don't Get MeatBalled
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart Positions: TBA
  • U.S. Sales : TBA
  • Singles: "So Into You ft. Sleepy Brown", "Blocc Party", "How do you Want It ft. Snoop Dogg"

References[link]