VICE: How To Grow Up In Long Beach
“I met Snoop through church when we was like 13 or 14. You know, they had them little church picnics and basketball games, and that’s where I got to know him. I remember him as being a real cool dude who was always trying to out-freestyle everybody. I just did what I did: I started writing raps but I sung them instead because I was in the choir.”
An article from the archives; Nate Dogg speaks to Vice about the hotspots in Long Beach and growing up in the city with Snoop and Warren G.
Jay Dee, born James D. Yancey, was one of the few artists whose records were bought on sight, played until digested and then discussed among fans and critics (usually on Okayplayer), where an entire legion of Dilla devotees lurks). He kept hip-hop relevant long after many of its greatest heroes had left it for dead, at least creatively. There are many talented beat-makers and producers, but there will only be one Jay Dee.
Great article from the archives on Dilla.
Camu Tao (1977-2008) (Pictured above with Aesop Rock)
Born: Tero Smith
Repped: Columbus, OH
Cause of death: Lung cancer
Albums: Table Scraps (with MHz - 2001), Nighthawks (with The Nighthawks - 2002), Smashy Trashy (with SA Smash - 2003), Blair Cosby’s Cape Cod (Going For De Gold) (2004), Blair Cosby II: The Wali Era (2004), Blair Cosby’s Cereal Carpens ‘97 Season (2006), Forever Frozen In Television Time (with Central Services - 2010), King Of Hearts (2010)
Most known for: Working with Cage, El-P & The Weathmen.
“Camu was, in one way or another, one of the most important creative forces and inspirations to almost everyone associated with him. He was a wild soul. He was a genius who never got the chance to see his dreams come to fruition. Camu’s passing is a constant reminder to me to follow the path I need to in my life and to try my best to let go of some of the petty stresses and conflicts that at one time seemed relevant but now feel like child’s play.” - El-P
Buff Love, The Human Beatbox (1967-1995)
Born: Darren Robinson
Repped: Brooklyn, NY
Cause of death: Heart attack
Albums with The Fat Boys: Fat Boys (1984), The Fat Boys Are Back (1985), Big & Beautiful (1986), Crushin’ (1987), Coming Back Hard Again (1988), On And On (1989), Mack Daddy (1991)
Best known for: “Human Beat Box” (1984)
“He would come to my door and be like “Mark you hold this stack, don’t worry about it, things are going to be better.” “ Yo Mark, you got nothing to eat, I’m on the way to your house right now. I got two buckets of KFC and I’m bringing you some money.” “Yo Mark, if you need anything come check me out.” Buff was the guy that was there for me always. He had the biggest heart in the world, he was a sweet guy and I miss him to death. That’s my brother.” - Prince Markie Dee, fellow member of the Fat Boys
Big L (1974-1999)
Born: Lamont Coleman
Repped: Harlem, NY
Cause of death: Shot
Albums: Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous (1995), The Big Picture (2000)
Best known for: “Ebonics” (1998)
“What impressed me is that L went for broke, right there and then. He came up to me and said, Look, I just want to rhyme for you, you like me, you help me get on.You dont like meyou dont even have to fuck with me no more, I wont bother you again. What better deal is there than that? So I said, Okay, go ahead, spit. When he finished spittin, I was asking for his number!” - Lord Finesse
Ol’ Dirty Bastard (1968-2004)
Born: Russell Jones
Repped: Brooklyn, NY
Cause of death: Accidental overdose of a mixture of cocaine and Tramadol.
Albums: Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995), Nigga Please (1999), Trials & Tribulations Of Russell Jones (2003, released by label without ODB’s consent), A Son Unique (Unreleased officially)
Best known for: “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” (1995), “I Got Your Money” ft. Kelis (1999)
“He was such a unique brother. I still miss him, and it never goes away.” - Method Man
“Dirty had given us the energy booster that we need to believe that we are the best. I still think about him… I think as I’m getting a little older, I’m getting a little more sensitive in certain places when it comes to my brother being gone.” - Raewon
“Ason Jones” Tribute track by Raekwon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUZHfs1Tw6g
Seagram (1969-1996)
Born: Seagram Miller
Repped: Oakland, CA
Cause of death: Shot
Albums: The Dark Roads (1993), Reality Check (1995), Souls On Ice (1997)
Best known for: “The Ville” (1993)
“Seagram was a good dude. Quiet and reserved but a good dude and a good rapper who loved Oakland California to death.” - Willie D of Geto Boys.
The Notorious B.I.G. (1972-1997)
Born: Christopher Wallace
Repped: New York City, NY
Cause of death: Shot
Albums: Ready To Die (1994), Life After Death (1997), Born Again (1999), Duets: The Final Chapter (2005)
Best known for: Questionable, but most likely “Big Poppa”
“Christopher was a man with a conscience and he was raised as a Christian. I think the one thing I am most proud of about Christopher was his heart condition. He was a giver to anyone who asked. He was a man of his word. And he was loyal. All of these things are conditions of the heart that I know I helped to develop and instill in him.” - Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.’s mother.
Scientifik (?-1996)
Born: D. Behmann
Repped: Boston, MA
Cause of death: Police theorize that Scientifik shot his girlfriend to death and then turned his gun on himself, but the case is still officially unsolved due to incomplete evidence.
Albums: Criminal (1994), The Most Blunted (2006, Unreleased from 1992)
Best known for: “As Long As You Know” ft. Ed OG & Prince Rakeem)
Tribute track : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frrnd71vgW0 (Reks, Termanology & Krumbsnatcha - Big Dreamers Remix)
