Lost Boyz (original) (raw)

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American hip hop group

Lost Boyz are an American hip hop group from Queens, New York, consisting of MC Mr. Cheeks, DJ Spigg Nice, Pretty Lou and Freaky Kah,[1][2][3][4][5] with the latter replacing his father Freaky Tah who was murdered in 1999. The original line-up released two albums: Legal Drug Money (1995) and Love, Peace & Nappiness (1997). The third album, LB IV Life (1999), was finished by the three remaining group members. In the following years, Mr. Cheeks focused on his solo career, reuniting with the rest of the group for their fourth album, Grand Scheme 12:26 (2020).[6]

In 1995, the group released their debut single "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless", charting on the Billboard Hot 100. The release landed them a record deal with Uptown Records. They contributed a single to the Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood soundtrack, titled "Renee". The song became a major hit, breaking into the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart. The single also reached Gold status in 1996. On June 4, 1996, the group released their debut album Legal Drug Money. The work was highly acclaimed,[_citation needed_] and featured five Hot 100 hits, including their past singles "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless", "Renee", "Music Makes Me High", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz", and "Get Up". The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in late 1996.

Their second album, Love, Peace & Nappiness, was released on June 17, 1997, through Uptown/Universal Records. It featured another Hot 100 single, "Me & My Crazy World". One of the most famous songs on the album was the posse cut "Beasts from the East", featuring A+, Redman, and Canibus. The album was not as acclaimed as their debut, but fared well commercially, reaching Gold status in late 1997.

In 1996, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD America Is Dying Slowly, alongside Wu-Tang Clan, Coolio, and Fat Joe, among others. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African-American men, was heralded as a "masterpiece" by The Source magazine.[7]

Freaky Tah was murdered in Queens on March 28, 1999.[8] The three remaining group members finished their third album, LB IV Life, released in September 1999, but the album was not a commercial or artistic success, and Mr. Cheeks left to begin a solo career.[_citation needed_] On January 16, 2004, Spigg Nice was tried and convicted of multiple bank robberies in New Jersey and was sentenced to 37 years in prison.[9] He was released in 2021, the same year group appeared on Nick Cannons Wild 'N Out show on VH1.[_citation needed_]

• Mr. Cheeks
• Freaky Tah
• Pretty Lou
• DJ Spigg Nice
• Freaky Kah
• Legal Drug Money (1996)
• Love, Peace & Nappiness (1997)
• LB IV Life (1999)
• Grand Scheme 12:26 (2020)
• Lost Boyz Legacy (Deluxe Edition) (2023)[10]

1. ^ Staff Writer (April 5, 2019). "The Lost Boyz Are Back With New Music". Hot 97. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
2. ^ Lost Boyz at Allmusic
3. ^ Lost Boyz discography at Hip Hop Weekly
4. ^ Reeves, Marcus. "The Lost Boyz: Finders, Keepers", Vibe, August 1996, p. 106
5. ^ Ex, Christian. "Lost & Found", Vibe, October 1997, p. 111
6. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (May 20, 2023). "Lost Boyz recount friendship with The Notorious B.I.G.: "He was good peoples"". Revolt. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
7. ^ Morales, Rigoberto (July 1996). "Record Report – Compilations, Alternatives & Soundtracks: Various Artists – America Is Dying Slowly". The Source. No. 82. New York. p. 94.
8. ^ "Member of Lost Boyz Hip-Hop Group Slain". The New York Times. March 29, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
9. ^ Strong, Nolan (January 26, 2004). "Lost Boyz Member "Spigg Nice" Sentenced To 37 Years In Prison". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on March 21, 2006.
10. ^ Datwon Thomas (March 14, 2023). "New Music: Mr. Cheeks of Lost Boyz Defines 'Legacy' Ushering In More LB Fam". Vibe. Retrieved June 20, 2024.

• Lost Boyz at AllMusic