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8Ball & MJG is an American rap duo from Memphis, Tennessee. The two rappers Premro "8Ball" Smith (born 1972) and Marlon James "MJG" Goodman (born 1971) met at Ridgeway Middle School in 1980.

Career[link]

8Ball & MJG first appeared on the rap scene with their 1992 underground album Listen To The Lyrics. In 1993, they released Comin' Out Hard on Suave House Records, the album was successful commercially as well as critically and established the group as a prominent act in the then emerging Southern Rap scene. Their subsequent albums in the 1990s including 1994's On the Outside Looking In and 1995's On Top of the World further established their status among the South's rappers. On Top of the World was particularly successful, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 200 and being certified Gold. It includes the song "Space Age Pimpin'", 8Ball & MJG's first single to chart, reaching #58 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks chart and #22 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

Subsequently, 8Ball & MJG released solo albums: MJG's No More Glory in 1997 and 8Ball's Lost in 1998. They reunited in 1999 to release their fourth album as a group, In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1. One year later they released their fifth group album, Space Age 4 Eva.

In 1996, they 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 the early 2000s, the duo signed with Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records. They already had some experience with the label, being featured on the song "The Player Way" from Bad Boy rapper Mase's 1997 album Harlem World. Their first album for Bad Boy, Living Legends, was released in 2004 and certified Gold. Their second Bad Boy album Ridin High was released in March 2007.

Commercially one of the high points of 8Ball & MJG's career was their being featured on Three 6 Mafia's hit song "Stay Fly" in 2005 which peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is Three 6 Mafia's biggest hit. The song was a collaboration between two of Tennessee's most successful rap groups.

8Ball and MJG also head their own record labels. 8Ball heads 8 Ways Entertainment (distributed by Koch Entertainment). MJG heads MJG Muzik which features another Memphis duo, Da Volunteers, known for their 2006 single, "What's Yo Favorite Color?", which glorifies their neighborhood of Orange Mound.

In September 2007, 8Ball & MJG signed deals in Sacramento, California with Real Talk Entertainment. On April 1, 2008, 8Ball released Doin' It Big with E.D.I. of the Outlawz. MJG released a solo album, Pimp Tight, on April 29, 2008.

In June 2008, the duo announced that they officially signed onto T.I.'s record label Grand Hustle. Their eighth album as a group and their first on Grand Hustle, Ten Toes Down, was released in May 2010.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Compilation albums[link]

Singles[link]

8Ball albums[link]

• Lost
  • Released: May 19, 1998
  • Chart positions: 5 U.S.
  • RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum^[3]
  • Singles: "Pure Uncut"

• Almost Famous
  • Released: November 20, 2001
  • Chart positions: 47 U.S.
  • Singles: "Stop Playin' Games"

• Lay It Down
  • Released: August 13, 2002

• Light Up The Bomb
  • Released: October 10, 2006
  • Chart positions: –
  • U.S. sales: 164,000^[4]
  • RIAA certification: –
  • Singles: "Time2hitdaclub"

• The Vet & The Rookie (with Devius)
  • Released: October 9, 2007
  • Chart positions: –
  • U.S. sales: 144,200
  • RIAA certification: –
  • Singles: "Ery' Body Kno Me"

• Doin' It Big (with E.D.I. Of The Outlawz)
  • Released:April 1, 2008
  • Chart Position: -
  • U.S. Sales: 130,700^{[citation needed]}
  • RIAA certification

• 8Ball & Memphis All-Stars: Cars, Clubs & Strip Clubs^[5]
  • Release Date: February 24, 2009
  • Chart positions: N/A
  • U.S. sales: –
  • RIAA certification: –
  • Singles: "Gettin' It In", "Gangsta Luv"

MJG albums[link]

• No More Glory
  • Released: November 18, 1997
  • Chart positions: 20 U.S.
  • U.S. sales: 490,000
  • RIAA certification: Gold^{[citation needed]}
  • Singles: "That Girl"

• Pimp Tight
  • Release Date: April 29, 2008
  • Chart positions: N/A
  • U.S. sales: 25,000
  • RIAA certification: –
  • Singles: "Small Town Girl"

• This Might Be The Day
  • Release Date: July 15, 2008
  • Chart positions: N/A
  • U.S. sales: 16,000
  • RIAA certification: –
  • Singles: "Shades", "Big Time (feat. Slim)"

• All I DO EP
  • Release Date: 2009
  • Chart positions: N/A

Compilations[link]

• Suave House: The Album of the Year
  • Released: 29 July 1997
  • Singles: "Just Like Candy"

• Off da Chain, Vol. 1
  • Released: June 20, 2000

Mixtapes[link]

• The Legends Series, Vol. 2 (Hosted By DJ Drama)
  • Released: 2005
• "8ightball- Premro"(2012) (hosted by Drumma Boy)

Guest appearances[link]

listed alphabetically
112

• "Watcha Gonna Do"

5th Ward Boyz

• "FUCK Strugglin"

A+

• "Whatcha Weigh Me

David Banner

• "Air Force Ones" (remix)
• "Gangster Walk"

Big Gipp

• "All Over Your Body"

Big K.R.I.T.

• "Money On the Floor"
• "We Buy Gold"

Big Scoob

• "Only Know Hard" (feat. Krizz Kaliko & 8Ball & MJG)

Foxy Brown

• "Ride (Down South)"

Bun B

• "You're Everything"
• "I Don't Give A Fuck"

Crime Boss

• "Chemical Imbalance"

Devin the Dude

• "Tha Funk"

Diddy

• "Roll With Me"

Rock Dillon

• "V-Squad"

Drumma Boy

• "Hustla" (featuring Eastside Jody & 8Ball) off The Birth Of D-Boy Fresh
• "Int’l Player" (featuring Bun B & MJG) off The Birth Of D-Boy Fresh

Jermaine Dupri

• "Jazzy Hoes"

E-40

• "Ya Blind"

Goodie Mob

• "Soul Food (Remix)"

Haystak

• "Can't Tell Me Nothin"

Heavy D

• "On Point"

Jayo Felony

• "How Angry"

J. Holiday

• "City Boy"

Jadakiss

• "What You Ride For?"

Killer Mike

• "Gorilla Pimpin'"
• "Super Clean, Super Hard"

Kingpin Skinny Pimp

• "TV's (24's & Wang)"

Krayzie Bone

• "Pimpz, Thugz, Hustlaz & Gangstaz"

Lil' Flip

• "Cant U Tell" Feat. Sqad Up & MJG

Lil Jon

• "Diamonds"
• "Rep Yo City"
• "White Meat"

Lil' Keke

• "Southside" (remix), Southside, Pt. 2
• "Bottom 2 Da Top"

Limp Bizkit

• "Take A Look Around" (remix)

Lloyd Banks

• "Iceman" (8Ball only, but both 8Ball and MJG appear on the remix)

Ludacris

• "Hard Times"

Luniz

• "In My Nature"

Mase

• "The Player Way"

Master P

• "Meal Ticket"

MC Ren

• "Who In The Fuck"

Mobb Deep

• "Where Ya From"

Mr. 3-2

• "Hit The Highway"

Mr. Mike

• "Stop Lying"

The Notorious B.I.G.

• "Spit your Game" (remix)

Pastor Troy

• "Boys to Men"
• "Don't Undastand"

Pimp C

• "Bobby & Whitney"

Project Playaz

• "Dirty Down South"

Rappin' 4-Tay

• "360 Degrees"

Rich Boy

• "D-Dude"

Rick Ross

• "9 Piece" (remix)

Kia Shine

• "Bluff City Classic"

Spice 1

• "Chocolate Philly"

T.I.

• "Bezzle"

Tela

• "Sho Nuff"

Three 6 Mafia

• "Stay Fly"
• "First 48"

Too Short

• "Don't Stop Rappin"

T-Pain

• "I'm In Love Wit A Stripper" (remix) (MJG only)

UGK

• "Gold Grill"

Yo Gotti

• "Gangsta Party"

Young Buck

• "Dope Deals (Robbery)"
• "Say It To My Face
• "Without Me" off Only God Can Judge Me
• "Betta Tell Em" (featuring 8Ball) off Back On My Buck Shit Vol. 2: Change Of Plans
• "U Know What It Is" (featuring MJG & Tity Boi) off Back On My Buck Shit Vol. 2: Change Of Plans

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• 8Ball & MJG on Myspace
• 8 Ball on Myspace
• MJG on Myspace
• The DJ Booth: 8Ball & MJG Interview (Mar '07)
• Eightball & MJG at Allmusic

Slim Thug
Slim Thug at the KDHT studio in 2005.
Background information
Birth name	Stayve Jerome Thomas
Born	(1980-09-08) September 8, 1980 (age 31) Houston, Texas
Genres	Hip hop Gangsta rap
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Swishahouse, Boss Hogg Outlawz, Interscope, E1
Associated acts	Boss Hogg Outlawz, Bun B, Chalie Boy, Chamillionaire, Z-Ro, Mike Jones, T.I.
Website	www.bosshoggoutlawz.com

Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980),^[1] better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'".

Early life[link]

Slim Thug grew up in Houston's Northside neighborhood of Homestead/Scenic Woods. Slim says that his rap name come from the fact that as a teenager, he was very tall and skinny before he filled out.^{[citation needed]} He stands 6'6" tall. The Thug part comes from people's assumptions of him due to his fresh braids and sunglasses.^{[citation needed]} At age 17, he performed freestyle raps at local high school parties. He began his rap career with Swishahouse in the late 1990s. After realizing how much money he could make distributing his own mixtapes, he parted ways with Swishahouse on good terms and formed his own independent label, Boss Hogg Outlawz.^[2] Thomas bought two record stores and worked in real estate.^[1]

Music career[link]

Already Platinum (2005–2008)[link]

Slim Thug's debut album with Star Trak Entertainment & Interscope Records, Already Platinum, was released in July 2005 after many delays.^[1] It premiered on #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and sold 130,000 copies in its first week.^[3] Singles included "3 Kings" (featuring T.I. and Bun B), and "I Ain't Heard of That" (featuring Pharrell and Bun B). Slim Thug appeared on Still Tippin' with Mike Jones and Paul Wall, Beyoncé Knowles's #1 single "Check on It" and Gwen Stefani's "Luxurious". With the Boss Hogg Outlawz, Slim Thug released three albums, Boyz N Blue (2004), Serve & Collect (2007) and Back by Blockular Demand: Serve & Collect II (2008). He left Star Trak & Interscope Records in 2008.^[4]

Boss of All Bosses (2009)[link]

Slim Thug's second solo album Boss of All Bosses was released in 2009. Although not as successful as his debut album Boss of All Bosses debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200 with 32,000 copies sold in the first week released. It included the single "I Run".

Tha Thug Show (2010–present)[link]

Slim Thug's third studio album Tha Thug Show. His first single was "Gangsta" which featured Z-Ro. His second single featured rapper/singer B.o.B entitled "So High". It was released November 30, 2010.

Other Ventures[link]

Acting career[link]

In October 2009 he appeared on The Daily Show, in a parody discussing the effects of the recession upon wealthy rappers such as himself.^[5] The skit was filmed in part at The Lion's Den Recordings in Houston, Texas.

Personal life[link]

Slim Thug dated singer LeToya Luckett until 2006.^[6][7] He claimed the two broke up as a result of his cheating and having a child with another woman.^[8]

According to MTV News, Lupe Fiasco's video for "Hip Hop Saved My Life" was based on Slim Thug's life story. "It is based on Slim Thug," Fiasco revealed.^[9] On June 7, 2010, Vibe released controversial statements Slim Thug had made regarding treatment of black men by black and white women saying "it’s hard to find [a successful black man] so Black women have to bow down and let it be known that they gotta start working hard; they gotta start cooking and being down for they man more. ...White women treat they man like a king."^[10]

The article stirred many varied reactions from bloggers and online commentators.^[7][11][12] Cultural critic and Columbia University professor Marc Lamont Hill,^[13] singers Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods,^[14] and Talib Kweli^[15] have all responded publicly to his comments.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• 2005: Already Platinum
• 2009: Boss of All Bosses
• 2010: Tha Thug Show
• 2012: Hogg Life

Awards and Nominations[link]

MTV Video Music Awards

References[link]

External links[link]

• Slim Thug on Myspace
• Slim Thug at the Internet Movie Database
• Slim Thug on Twitter

Patrick Houston, better known as Project Pat is an American rapper originating from Memphis, Tennessee. He is the older brother of Juicy J, co-founder of the Three 6 Mafia.^[1]

Discography[link]

• 1999: Ghetty Green
• 2000: Murderers & Robbers (collection of earlier recordings)
• 2001: Mista Don't Play: Everythangs Workin'
• 2002: Layin' da Smack Down
• 2006: Crook by da Book: The Fed Story
• 2007: Walkin' Bank Roll
• 2009: Real Recognize Real
• 2011: Loud Pack
• 2012: Mista Don't Play 2

References[link]

External links[link]

• Project Pat at IMDB
• Project Pat website

Bun B
Performing live in August 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Bernard Freeman
Born	(1973-03-19) March 19, 1973 (age 39)
Origin	Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Hip Hop, Southern Rap, Trill
Occupations	Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, CEO
Years active	1987–Present
Labels	Rap-a-Lot
Associated acts	UGK, Slim Thug, Outkast, Scarface, Sean Kingston, Z-Ro, Beyoncé Knowles, Trey Songz, Kirko Bangz, Chamillionaire, Juvenile, Rick Ross, Drake, Usher, Wu-Tang Clan, T.I., Lil Wayne

Bernard Freeman (born March 19, 1973^[1][2]) better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK (UnderGround Kingz). He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas.^[3] He recently released his third official solo album Trill OG on August 3, 2010, which received a 5 Mic "Classic" rating in The Source Magazine - the first album in over five years to receive the honor.^[4] Bun B is married with two stepchildren.^[5]

Music career[link]

UGK[link]

In the late 1980s, Pimp C started the rap duo UGK. They then got signed to Jive Records where they released their major label debut album, Too Hard to Swallow, and their sophomore album, Super Tight.... Their third album, Ridin' Dirty reached the R&B Charts in 1996 peaking at number 2 and the Billboard 200 chart peaking at number 15. After releasing their fourth studio album, Dirty Money, Pimp C got sentenced to jail.^[6]

[edit] Trill and beginning of solo career

When Bun B's UGK partner, the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler entered a jail sentence on an aggravated gun assault charge in 2002, Bun B made guest appearances on numerous albums by other rappers and released a 2005 mixtape titled Legends.^[6] Singles featuring a Bun B guest appearance included "They Don't Know" by Paul Wall, "Gimme That" by Webbie and "I'm A G" by Yung Joc. Bun B also appeared in a documentary titled Screwed In Houston produced by VBS/Vice Magazine that details the history of the Houston rap scene.

In October 2005, Bun B's debut solo album Trill was released.^[7] Singles included "Draped Up",^[7] "Git It", and "Get Throwed".^[8] The album peaked at the sixth spot on the American Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.^[9]

[edit] II Trill

After Pimp C died in 2007, Bun B returned to a solo career. In 2008, he released his second album, II Trill^[6] The first single was "That's Gangsta" featuring Jamaican American artist Sean Kingston. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 copies.^[10] Other singles were "Damn I'm Cold" featuring Lil Wayne and "You're Everything" featuring Rick Ross, David Banner, DJ Corbett and 8Ball & MJG, the latter of which was dedicated to the late Pimp C.

[edit] Trill OG

Bun B's third album is Trill OG. In an interview with MTV Live, Bun B stated that 2Pac is set to feature on the album, claiming "It's a brand new verse."^[11] The album was released under Universal Music Group^[12] on August 3, 2010.^[13]

4th studio album[link]

On October 28 2011, a song titled "The Life" and produced by 14KT was leaked.

On March 3 2012, Bun B leaked a song featuring Royce Da 5'9 and Redman titled "Stop Playin'" after he reached 400,000 followers on Twitter. He has not announced the song's appearance on his upcoming album ^[14]

Other Ventures[link]

Acting[link]

Bun B recently acted in the Straight-to-DVD movie "Ghetto Stories: The Movie". It is unknown at this time though if he is still pursuing an acting career.

Teaching[link]

At the start of the Spring 2011 semester, Bun B joined the faculty of Rice University as a Distinguished Lecturer. He taught a course in the School of the Humanities on Hip-Hop and Religion.^[15]

Personal life[link]

Family[link]

Bun B is married to Angela Walls with two children.^[5] One of his sons is American rapper Young B, who is currently a member of the rap group Youngest N Charge. Youngest N Charge is currently Bun B's opening act.^[16]

Discography[link]

• 2005: Trill
• 2008: II Trill
• 2010: Trill OG
• 2012: Trill 4 Life

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

• Ghetto Stories (2010)

References[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Bun B

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bun B

• Bun B on Myspace
• Bun B at the Internet Movie Database
• Rap-A-Lot Records
• Discography at discogs.com
• Bun B RBMA lecture

William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross (often stylized as RICK RO$$), is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his studio albums Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don, Ross was also the first artist signed to Diddy's management company Ciroc Entertainment. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC In The Game.^[3]

Early life[link]

William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi.^[1] and raised in Carol City, Florida, near Miami.^[2] After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.^[4]

Music career[link]

After being signed to Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG, he eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide albums.^[2]

[edit] Port of Miami (2006)

His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week.^[5][6] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".^[7] The second single was "Push It", which samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song off the gangster film Scarface.^[8] The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.^[9] During that time, Ross made guest performances on two singles from DJ Khaled's debut Listennn... the Album: "Born-N-Raised" and "Holla at Me". Port of Miami received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on November 8, 2006.

[edit] Trilla (2008)

In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.^[10] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm.^[11] MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.^[12] The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was released in July.