PIMP C                                                                                                                  

 Date of birth:December 29,1973                                                        Place of birth:Port Arthur,Texas,U.S.                                                 Date deceased:December 4,2007 (aged 33)                                          Place of death:Los Angeles,California                                                Cause of death:Cough-Medicine overdose





About Pimp C:

To me,one of the most influential southside rappers ever.Not only that he was a member of world famous rap group,''UGK'',but he was also an intelligent person.The reason I'm saying that,is because Pimp C has shown something that you rearly see in the rap music,and that thing is unity.In his song,''Knockin' Doorz Down'',which is by the way,my favourite Pimp C song,he rapped about feuds in southside rap scene coummunity (which have escalated during his 4 year prison sentence,which he served because of violation of his probation).As he mentioned in the song,he tried to squash the beef between T.I. and Lil' Flip,Slim Thug and Z-Ro,and Paul Wall and Chamillionaire,saying that those feuds are stupid and that more money could be made by uniting the southside rappers than dissing each other,(even though he had some diss tracks too,earlier in his life).He was probably right,and I loved to se there are still some rappers out there,talking about unity in hip-hop,instead of dissing some fellow rapper.That's why I respect Pimp C,because he realized,after having some feuds himself,(like beef with Lil Troy or Mater P),that this kind of thinking would stop many hip-hop related murders.Of course there is nothing wrong with a little rivalry in hip-hop ,'cause,that too,makes rap music interesting,as long as it stays on spoken words,not fired bullets.

Generally about Pimp C:
Pimp C (real name Chad Lamont Butler) was born on December 29,1973,in Port Arthur,Texas,U.S.He started his career very early,in 1987,when he and his best friend,Bernard Freeman,later known as ''Bun B'',formed the group called UGK (short for Underground Kingz).After 2 EP's,they signed to ''Jive Records'',and released their debut album,''Too Hard to Swallow'' on November 10,1992.The album has produced the hit song ''Pocket Full of Stones,which was also included on the soundtrack of popular,1993  movie,''Meance II Society''.In 1994,their second album,''Super Tight'',came out.This album was also critically acclaimed.But the group's best album was yet to come.On July 30,1996,the ''Ridin' Dirty'' album was released.The album has reached nr. 2 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart,and to this day,it has sold almost 900,000 copies.There are two interesting facts about this album.First one is that,even though this was their best selling album,there was no singles or music videos released for the album.Second one is that, 2006 song,Ridin',by Chamillionaire,their fellow southside rapper,and later friend,was inspired by this album.The song even had almost the same name as the UGK album.Most people even think that the song tittle is actually Ridin' Dirty,but is actually just ''Ridin'''.Chamillionaire also stated that,for his rap career in general,he was inspired by local rap artist,which alongside with UGK,included The Geto Boys,8 Ball & MJG,as well as the west coast and the east coast groups,N.W.A. and Public Enemy.However,after major succsess of the Ridin' Dirty album,UGK have disappeard from rap scene,for almost 4 years.But,at the year of 2000,UGK had a big comeback,as they had guest appearances on the major hit singles,''Sippin' on Some Syrup'' by Three 6 Mafia,and Jay-Z's,''Big Pimpin'''.Those appearances led to release of UGK comeback album,''Dirty Money'' in 2001.The album had a solid success,but troubles for Pimp C have started.In January 2002,Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violation his probation (he ignored his sentence to community service),which he got because of earlier aggravated assault charge.During his time in prison,Bun B promoted UGK name with various guest appearances on songs by other artists.He also started the ''Free Pimp C'' campaign.At March 2,2005,while still in prison,Pimp C's debut album,''Sweet James Jones Stories'' was released.Fortunately for him,he was released from prison,on December 30,2005,and was placed on parole until December 2007.More good news came,as he released his second solo album ''Pimpalation'' on July 11,2006.The album produced hit singles,''I'm Free'',''Knockin' Doorz Down'',and ''Pourin' Up''.On March 8,2007,the album was certified Gold.UGK's Billboard nr 1 album,''Underground Kingz'',also came out in the same year.It seemed like,Pimp C's life,was finally on right direction,but sudden death,has stopped it all.

Pimp C's Death:
On December 4,2007,Pimp C was found dead in hotel room of Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood,California (Los Angeles County).Official cause of death was Promethazine/Codeine syrup overdose combined with sleep apnea.He died just 3 days after performing with Too Short at the House of Blues (interestingly,the same place,where 2pac had his most famous concert,just 2 months before his death).But,to this day,there are many rumors about Pimp C actually being killed.The most common rumor is that someone in the record label business,or even the group of powerful people in business have killed him,because he often rapped against them,especially after releasing from jail.The second most common rumor is that,Master P got him killed,because of their earlier altercation,when Mater P allegedly pistol whipped him,because of money dispute.Interestingly,this is the second murder in rap business (after Soulja Slim's murder),in which Master P was mentioned as posibble murder client.Of course,those are all just rumors,and unfortunatelly it's almost inpossible to find out the real truth.However,southside rap scene lost,one of the best rappers,and the second part of the UGK,whose last album UGK 4 Life was released in 2009.

Pimp C discography:

1992: The southern way EP (for UGK)
1992: Banned EP (for UGK)
1992: To Hard to Swallow (for UGK)
1994: Super Tight (for UGK)
1996: Riddin' Dirty (for UGK)
2001: Dirty Money (for UGK)
2005: Sweet James Jones Stories
2006: Pimpalation
2007: Underground Kingz (for UGK)

Posthumous albums:

2008: Greatest Hits
2009: UGK 4 Life (UGK album)
2010: The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones
2011: Still Pimping

                                                 

                                               

                                      SOULJA SLIM

Date of birth:September 9,1977
Place of birth:New Orleans,Louisiana
Date deceased:November 26,2003 (aged 26)
Place of death:Gentilly,New Orleans
Cause of death:Murder




About Soulja Slim:
If you looking for some real gangsta rapper,the one who could really call himself like that,whose violent lyrics were real,then Soulja Slim is your type of rapper.Raised in Magnolia Projects,one of the most dangerous projects,not only in New Orleans,but in the whole USA.Fellow rappers VL Mike,and Magnolia Shorty were also killed there,which also proves how dangerous was to live there,even for the rap stars.That's why Soulja Slim was for me,really like a soldier on the streets of New Orleans,a real dangerous guy (of course for his opponents on the streets),whose lyrics were like a live reports from the projects.There are many stories about him,and his possible involvement in many crimes,for two of which he was convicted (armed robbery,illegal possession of weapon),and also I read somewhere,that after his death,he was accused for several murders.But let's leave that stories for now,cause they might be or might not be true,and concentrate on his rap career.

I first heard about him on C-Murder's track,''I'm Not Just'',and in my opinon,he completely outshined C-Murder on this song.Since then,I started to listening Soulja Slim songs,and to this day,''I'm not just'',is my favourite song with Soulja Slim,even though,he was a guest on this song,and even though,he had many other great songs like ''From What I was told'',or ''Slow motion''(which was really a masterpiece).Soulja Slim's death was just another proof,how dangerous life on the streets can be,and how many rappers,unfortunately,end up with violent deaths,just like there lyrics were.




Generally about Soulja Slim:
Soulja Slim (real name James Adarryl Tapp, Jr.) was born on September 9,1977 in New Orleans,Louisiana.He grow up in Magnolia Projects,one of most notorious projects in New Orleans.After dropping out from highschool,he released his debut album ''Soulja Fa lyfe'' in 1994.That album was released under the name of ''Magnolia Slim'',which was the name,Soulja Slim used at the beginning of his career in reference to already mentioned ''Magnolia Projects'',in which he was raised.In 1995,he released the e.p. called, ''The Dark Side''.That e.p. was sort of introduction to his ''No Limit Records'' career,as his song ''You Got It'',appeared on No Limit Records,double disc compalation,Down South Hustlers:Bouncin' and Swingin'.That led him to signing for No Limit Records,and now under the name Soulja Slim (which he will be known as,until the rest of his career),he released the album,''Give It 2 'Em Raw'',in 1998.That album produced the hit single and music video ''From What I was Told''.But instead of rising his career to a higher level,he was convicted for armed robbery.Now,I can't confirm that information 100%,but some sources say that,he did that to support his addictions to drugs.He was also shot in one dispute,and again incarcerated for illegal possession of weapon.After release from prison,he released ''The Streets Made Me'' album,in 2001.That was his last album under the ''No Limit Records'',as he started his own record label ''Cut Throat Committee Records''.He released only one album (titled Years Later),under the Cut Throat Committee label,before his death.His last album titled,''Years Later...A Few Months After'',was released just 3 months before his death,on August 26,2003,under the Koch Records.Shortly before his death,Soulja Slim collaborated with Juvenile on the song ''Slow Motion'',which was released on Juvenile's album,''Juve the Great''.The song reached Nr. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100,and was first and only,nr. 1 spot of the list,for both of them.Also Soulja Slim became only the sixth artist with posthumous No. 1 song.




Soulja Slim's Death:
On November 26,2003,Soulja Slim went to his performance for Thanksgiving.He stopped at his mother's house in Gentilly neighborhood at approximately 6:00 pm,to pick up a fresh-filmed video for the song ''Love Me Or Love Me Not'',to show a friend.Just as he got out of his car,unknown man shoot him 4 times:3 times in the face,and once in the chest.Soulja slim was buried with his Cut Throat Comitty chain,and his camouflage outfit,he wore on his No Limit debut.On December 31,2003,Garelle Smith was arrested for Soulja Slim's murder.Police even found the Smith's gun,whose bullets matched the one,that was found in Slim's body.However Smith was released from prison,because no witnesses would testify against him.After that,Garelle Smith was arrested several times for other murders,and each case was dropped,due to lack of evidence or witnesses.But some will say that,justice did get to him,beacuse he was murdered in August,2011.Interesting,he was also found with gunshot wounds to the face and the chest,just like Soulja Slim was.There are few rumors about the motives for killing Soulja Slim.One of them is that,it was because Soulja Slim allegedly killed his rival rapper ''Robert Lee Paige Jr.'',who was killed just two months before Slim.Police conected that murder with Soulja Slim,when they were investigating his murder.However,nothing was ever proved.Second one is,that it was the retaliation from some guy who was at the Soulja Slim's performance in a west bank club,and was insulting Magnolia projects.That guy was beaten up,after that insults,and was seen in New Orleans,days after that.He was wearing bullet-proof vest and was seeking for people connected with Soulja Slim.Last rumor was the most controversial.Rumor says that famous rapper,Master P,owner of Soulja Slim's former record label,No Limit Records,and brother of Slim's friend C-Murder,ordered his death.Alleged motive was Soulja Slim's song,''Bootin' Up'',in which he was dissing No Limit's artists.http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/the-40-most-ratchet-music-rumors/master-p-killed-soulja-slim
But to be honest,that rumor is the most unlikely.Especially knowing that,Mater P,wouldn't risk it all,because of one diss.However,to conclude the story about Soulja Slim's murder,Ican only say that New Orleans is the most dangerous place for rappers.Even more dangerous than Hunters Point,Detroit,or L.A.




Soulja Slim discography:
1994: Soulja Fa Lyfe
1995: Dark Side
1998: Give It 2 'Em Raw
1999: Hype Enough Records: Limited Edition
2001: The Streets Made Me
2002: Years Later
2003: Years Later...A Few Months After


Posthumous albums:
2004: Cutthroat Mixtape Vol. 1
2004: Cutthroat Mixtape Vol. 2
2005: Greatest Hitz
2008: Thug Brothers (Mixtape)

                                    

                                            PROOF                                

Date of birth:October 2,1973
Place of birth:Detroit,Michigan,U.S.
Date deceased:April 11,2006 (aged 32)
Place of death:Detroit,Michigan,U.S.
Cause of death:Murder

About Proof:

After Bugz,we're gonna talk about,another D-12 member,who died too early,Proof.My first memories about him were as ''that guy from D-12 who always follows Eminem at the concerts''.I first saw him in 2001 music video,''Purple Hills'' by D-12.I liked his rapping,and he was probably my favourite D-12 member,especially at the beginning.One other thing I got to say,is that he always seemed so perky and cheerful.He also had that sense of humor,just like his much better known fellow D-12 rapper & friend,Eminem.It wasn't hard to see that Eminem & Proof were really good friends,and that Proof's death really hurt him.It shocked me too,as D-12 fan,especially after finding out the details of his death.He seemed like peaceful funny guy,who rarely gets in trouble.Eminem's mother once said that,when Eminem & Proof were teenagers,Proof was coming to their house,and he was always kind to her,and every time he was there,he asked her if she needs some help with anything.That's why I belive there was something else about his death,and I don't belive he was aggressive guy.But maybe that night,something got him upset more than usual,maybe he did make a mistake by overreacting.Whatever reason it is,we will never know for sure.Unfortunately,one thing is for sure,destiny took 2 very talented rappers from the same group.But,like all the other rappers that passed away,they still live through their music.

Generally about PROOF:

Proof (real name De Shaun Dupree Holton) was born on October 2,1973, in Detroit,Michigan.He started to rapping with his childhood friend Marshall Mathers,now known as worldwide famous Eminem.He was one of the founders of the D-12 in 1996.That fact including 1998,Blaze Battle,which he almost won,made him famous.He also participated in the ''Up In Smoke Tour'',as a hype man for Eminem,and year after that,D-12's album,''Devil's Night'' was released.Proof also appeared in the ''8 Mile'' movie (starring Eminem),playing the role of battle rapper,Lil' Tic.Also the character based on him,Future,was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer.Proof also had a cameo role with the other members of D-12 (except Eminem),in 2005 movie ''The Longest Yard''.During his life he released 2 solo albums in 2004 and 2005,both on his own ''Iron Fist Records'' label.Prior to his death,Proof had a beef with Ja Rule and the Murder Inc.,along with Eminem,50 Cent,Dr. Dre and other affiliates.Even though officially,his death wasn't related to this beef,there are still some rumors,that it actually was.Especially knowing that,just 3 months before Proof's death,Obie Trice was shoot in the head,but he survived.Unfortunately,Proof wasn't that lucky.





Proof's Death:
On April 11,2006,Proof and his friends went to the CCC  Club on 8 Mile Road in Detroit,Michigan at about 3:30 am.Proof got drunk and shortly after that,an argument escaleted between Proof and Keith Bender,over a pool game.Now,official version is that they strated to fight,and the bouncer Mario Etheridge,who was also the cousin of Keith Bender,fired a warning shot into the air,and then Proof  allegedly shot Bender in the head.Etheridge said that he then,shot Proof in response,4 times.Twice in the head,twice in the back.But,Proof's friend Reginald ''Mudd'' Moore,who was with him that night,and was the witness of the shooting told a different story.He said that,after the fight have started,Etheridge fired 2 shots in the air,but nobody reacted to that.Insted of that,Bender pushed away intoxicated Proof,reached for his gun,and fired once in the air.Then he stood behind Proof and was trying to get the weapon out of his hand.Etheridge then came over,and started shooting at their direction,which resulted,killing both of them.





Proof discography:
1997: The Undergound EP (with D-12)
2001: Devil's Night (with D-12)
2004: D12 World (with D-12)
2004: I Miss the Hip Hop Shop
2005: Searching for Jerry Garcia





Proof filmography:
2002: 8 Mile
2005: The Longest Yard

                                          

                                                                                                              

                                      BUGZ                                    

Date of birth:January 5,1978
Place of birth:Detroit,Michigan,U.S.                                                             Date deceased:May 21,1999 (aged 21)
Place of death:Detroit,Michigan,U.S.                                                           Cause of death:Murder

About Bugz:

I don't know much about him,only that he was a D-12 member,during their first years.But I did hear some of his songs,and I think he was very talented,and without any doubt,he would make a great career.His career was at the very beginning,when he died,and unlike many other rappers,that have died at the early age (like Big L,Mr. Cee,Dolla),Bugz didn't get to record too many songs,or albums,and even though he was a great rapper,he wouldn't be remembered too much,if it wasn't so many tributes to him,made by his group D-12 (including Eminem).There is even a video of 99' shooting in which Bugz have lost his life.The link is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H620lJfcFQI.

Generally about Bugz:

Bugz (real name Karnail Pitts) was born on January 5,1978,in Detroit,Michigan.At the beginning he was freestyling and battling on the streets of Detroit.On one occasion,he battled Bizarre (later a member of D-12).After that,the two became friends,and Bizarre introduced him to Eminem,who at the time was creating a 6 member rap group.He was impressed by Bugz's rap skills,and since he was a one man short to create a rap group,he automatically assigned Bugz to a group,that will later be known as ''D-12''.Just two days after Eminem signed the group to his newly formed record label ''Shady Records'',Bugz was killed.In the meantime,Bugz recorded his solo EP,called ''These Streets EP'',and he finished his first and only solo album ''Mr. Obnoxious'',that was released a year after his death.He also made some guest appearances with other rappers like DJ Carl,5150,M.O.B,and also made an underground EP with his group D-12,along with many other released and unreleased unfinished songs.It's sad that his life had to end so early,especially knowing that he had a hard life,especially his childhood,because his father left him and his family,while he was still a child.

Bugz's Death:

On the afternoon of May 21,1999,two days after signing to Shady Records along with his group D-12,the group was scheduled to perform in Grand Rapids,Michigan not far away from their hometown Detroit.Since the show was in the evening,Bugz and his friends went to the Belle Isle,lil island placed inside of Detroit River,right next to the USA-Canada border to relax.One of Bugz's friends got involved in some kind of argument over water gun.Since the argument turned to a fistfight,Bugz got involved to help his friend.One of the men they were fighting went to his SUV and retrived a gun,from which he fired at Bugz,

cowardly behind his back

,hitting him 3 or 4 times (some sources say 3 some 4).He was hit in the chest and neck.After he tried to escape while heavily wounded,the man in SUV hit him with his car,and escaped.Bugz was transported to the hospital  by paramedics,but died shortly after arriving.To this day,I can't belive how the police couldn't catch the murderer,even though there is a tape of Bugz's murder.Nobody ever took the responsibility for murder.Some people even believe that another D-12's member Proof murder was connected to this murder.But that was never proved.One of the last Bugz's wishes was that his friend Swift join the D-12.Since there were already 6 members,there was no place for Swift,but since Bugz was killed,there was no problem for Swift to join the group.D-12 members were happy to fulfill Bugz last wish.Every member of D-12 have a tattoo ''Bugz'' on their wrist (including Eminem and deceased Proof).

Bugz discography:

1996: The Underground EP (with D-12)

1999: The Streets EP
1999: Quiet As Kept Entertainment Presents...Detroit's Best Kept Secret (various artists)
2000: Mr. Obnoxious LP

Posthumous albums:

2004: DJ Butter Presents: Bugz, One Man Mob

                                 

                  THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.                  



Date of birth:May 21,1972

Place of birth:New York City,New York,U.S.
Date deceased:March 9,1997 (aged 24)
Place of death:Los Angeles,California,U.S.
Cause of death:Murder




About The Notorious B.I.G:
Finally,after posting about 2pac,and some more or less famous rappers,it's time to talk about Biggie.He is one of the greatest.It's common belief that he is the best rapper,right after 2pac.Or by many people,the greatest rapper ever,along with 2pac.I have to say that,to me personally,2pac was better,and the greatest of all time.But of course,there are many Biggie fans (my best friend is one of them),who think he is the best.Therefore,I won't go into those stupid,discussion,who is the best generally.One thing is for sure,like 2pac,The Notorious B.I.G.,was unbelievably good rapper.When I wrote my first post,about 2pac,I said that,excluding his songs that I heard on TV, when I was too young to understand them,I first heard about him on documentary in 2001.The same thing is with Biggie,except that I never heard his songs on TV before that.At least not that I remember.So,in that same documentary,I found out that 2pac & Biggie were first friends,then after 1994 shooting,that 2pac survived,they became enemies.Even though,I supported 2pac more than Biggie,I always wanted to belive that he wasn't fault for 1994 shooting,and especially not for 1996 shooting,which 2pac unfortunately didn't survive.That 1996 shooting,probably costed Biggie,his life,and even though I still have my doubts about 1994 shooting,I truly believe that Biggie wasn't fault for 1996 shooting.No disrespect to Biggie's fans,but I just had to say sincerely,what's on my mind.But when I listen to the songs of both of them,I like to remember them from the time,they were friends.Just imagine how many more epic songs they could have make together,if they have stayed friends,and most importantly,alive.Now,when you talk about Biggie's music style,you known that he rapped in a deep tone voice.To me,he also had a great lyrics,and my favourite Biggie song is ''Whatchu Want'',

featuring Jay-Z,from the Biggie's posthumous album ''Duets: The Final Chapter''.I know,Biggie made a great songs during his life,and I know this song is from his posthumous album,but I like this song so much,I don't know why.Maybe,because of his powerful lyrics.One thing,Biggie was also great in,is freestyling.That is the part of rapping,in which he was,I admit it,way better than 2pac.But sadly,we lost both of them,and the rap music is not the same,since they gone.



Generally about The Notorious B.I.G.:
The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie (real name Christopher Wallace) was born on May 21,1972,in New York City,New York.He grew up in the Brooklyn borough of NYC.At the beginning he was freestyling on the streets,and it's interesting to mention that,at that time he went to same school as future rappers Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes.After he dropped out of school,he started to sell drugs.And because of that,soon he was arrested and convicted to 9 months in jail.After being released from jail,in 1992,he made the demo tape,named ''Biggie Smalls''.After,then record producer of Uptown Records,Sean ''Diddy'' Combs heard the demo tape,he signed him to Uptown Records.Soon after that,Sean Combs was fired from Uptown Records,and started his own record label ''Bad Boy Records''.Biggie was automatically signed to Bad Boy Records.In 1993,Biggie's daughter T'yanna was born,so he started again to sell drugs,to support her financially.When Combs discovered that,he forced him to quit.In 1994.Biggie married R&B singer Faith Evans.At the time,she was too signed to Bad Boy Records.Later that year,on September 13,1994 (interesting,exactly 2 years before 2pac's death),his debut album called ''Ready to Die'' was released.The album eventually became four times Platinum,and the single ''Big Poppa'',reached no. 1,on the U.S. rap chart.Since the album was released in the time,when the West Coast rap scene ''ruled'' in rap music,the album was considered as a big East Coast rap scene comeback.On November 30,1994 in the lobby of Quad Recording Studios in which Biggie was recording,2pac was robbed and shot 5 times,for which he accused Biggie and Diddy.That later turned in big Eeast Coast-West Coast feud,about which I said we are gonna talk more detailed in my later posts.At the same year,Biggie's group ''Junior M.A.F.I.A.'' was formed.Except Biggie,the group members were:Lil' Ceasar,Bugsy,Capone,Chico,Nino Brown,Larceny,Trife,MC Klepto and Lil' Kim.Most of them were Biggie's childhood friends,and they all were teenager at the time,which explains the name of the group.Junior M.AF.I.A. released their debut album on August 29,1995.The album was called ''Conspiracy'',which featured the successful singles ''Player's Anthem'' and ''Get Money''.Then he started to recording his second album,but in the meanwhile,problems for Biggie started again.On March 23,1996,he was charged for beating a two fans,outside of Manhattan club,because they wanted an autograph.He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.Allegedly,he was arrested again few months after that,because of drug and weapons possesion.After 2pac's death on September 13,1996,there were many accusations towards Biggie.The media accused him that he gave a gun to a Crip member Orlando Anderson,who was one of the suspects for 2pac's murder,but was never charged.Of course,Biggie denied the accusations.On October 29,1996,Faith Evans gave birth to Biggie's son,Christopher ''C.J.'' Wallace,Jr.In the beginning of 1997,Biggie suffered a car accident,which temporarily placed him in wheelchair.Once he got out of the wheelchair he was forced to use a cane because of his leg injuries.Just two months before his death,he was ordered to pay 41,000 dollars in damages,because of beating a club promoter.After that,he said that,he just want to live a peaceful life with his family.But his tragic death,disabled that.


Biggie's Death:
On March 8,1997,Biggie was a presenter on the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards that was held in Los Angeles.He was booed by some of the audience.After the ceremony,Biggie and Sean ''Diddy'' Combs went to the after party that was held in Petersen Automotive Museum.Interesting fact is,that late R&B singer Aaliyah also attended the party,so as the Faith Evans.After the midnight on March 9,1997 at about 12:20 a.m.,Biggie and his entourage left the party in his SUV,wanting to return in their hotel.Biggie was in front passenger seat of the car,in which Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil' Cease was driving too.Right behind them,Sean ''Diddy'' Combs was driving in his car,with a three bodyguards.At approximately 12:45 a.m.,Biggie's SUV,stopped at the red light.Then a dark colored Chevrolet Impala,pulled right next to the Biggie's vehicle.A driver of the Impala,rolled down his window,and started to shoot at Biggie's SUV,hitting Biggie four times.He was rushed to the hospital,where the doctors performed emergency surgery,but he was pronunced dead at 1:15 a.m.Even though,there are many theories about Biggie's murder,most notably the one that,Suge Knight ordered his murder to revenge 2pac's death,none of them was confirmed,and the murder remains unsolved.Just 16 days later,on March 25,1997,his second album with ironical title ''Life After Death'' was released.With Biggie's murder,hip-hop have lost one more rap giant,after 2pac.



The Notorious B.I.G. discography:
1994: Ready to Die
1995: Conspiracy (with Junior M.A.F.I.A.)
1997: Life After Death


Posthumous albums:
1999: Born Again
2005: Duets: The Final Chapter

                               

                                         MAC DRE                              

Date of birth:July 5,1970
Place of birth:Oakland,California,U.S.
Date deceased:November 1,2004 (aged 34)
Place of death:Kansas City,Missouri,U.S.
Cause of death:Murder




About Mac Dre:
Mac Dre was one of the best Bay Area rappers,and inventor of the thizzle dance.One thing I personally liked the most about him,is his flow.To me,his pronouncing of words was very understandable,melodic and his songs are very catchy.That can easily be heard in my favourite Mac Dre song,called ''Fire'',which featured Big Lurch.I used to rap this song from word to word,while listening to it.I do rap amateurish,for fun,but I never could rap any song from the best rappers so well,like Mac Dre's songs,'cause as I said,they are so catchy.Also the song called ''Bi Polar'' or ''Andre N Andre'',from the collaboration album ''A Tale of Two Andres'',with Andre Nickatina,was the great metaphoric portraiture of bipolar person.Mac Dre is also known as one of the only few rappers who recorded their album in jail,over the phone.His death,once again showed,how dangerous life,rappers from Bay Area live,which was already mentioned in my earlier posts about RBL Posse members,Mr Cee and Hitman.After Mac Dre's death,it became obviously that Bay Area rappers really live their lyrics,about gangs & danger that surrounding them.Even though Mac Dre wasn't killed in his hometown.




Generally about Mac Dre:
Mac Dre (real name Andre Hicks) was born on July 5,1970 in Oakland,California,but later moved to nearby Vallejo.He started his career as an underground rapper in 1989,and at the time,he was known as MC Dre.But soon he realized that his stage name sounded too East Coast,so he changed it to Mac Dre.After recording his first four EP's,between 1989 and 1992,he was charged in 1992 for conspiracy to commit robbery,and was convicted to 5 years in jail.It's interesting that police offered him a minor punishment,or even release from prison,if he give them informations about other members of conspiracy.Since he followed the ''no snitching'' code of silence,he didn't accept the offer.Ironically,it was better for him,(even though he spent 5 years in prison),beacuse his life would probably be in danger for snitching.Even though I get the impression,he wouldn't cooperate with the police anyway.Later,one member of his Romper Room crew,stated that he had nothing to do with the robbery,and was convicted only beacuse he refused to give the informations to police.During the time in prison,he recorded his first album called ''Young Black Brotha: The Album'',which was released on November 29,1993,and was largely recorded over the prison phone.After releasing from prison in 1997,he was working on album ''Stupid Doo Doo Dumb'',which was released next year,on April 28,1998.After meeting the producer Tone Capone,they worked on the album ''Rapper Gone Bad'',which was released on September 28,1999.The album featured Warren G,Kokane,B-Legit,Big Lurch,and many others,and was Re-Issued in 2004 with one extra track.In the meantime,he started his own record label,called Thizz Entertainment.In 2001,Mac Dre moved to Sacramento,but started to using ecstasy,which came mainly because he started to living a party lifestyle when he came back from prison.That came from the fact,he wanted to make up for the time he lost in prison.Before his death,he worked with many Bay Area rappers,including one uncredited hook from 1996,on the track ''Gotta Survive'' from Young Lay,which featured 2pac.He released his last album ''The Game Is Thick, Vol. 2'' on October 19,2004,just 13 days before his death.



Mac Dre's Death:
In the early morning hours of November 1,2004,at about 3:30 a.m.,while driving on the highway in the van on passenger seat in Kansas City,Missouri,a stolen black Infiniti G35,came from the side,and unknown assailants began shooting at the van.Then,the driver of the van swerved from highway to steep embankment.The driver crawled from the wreckage and was able to get to a phone to call 911.Even though Mac Dre was thrown from the van,police concluded that he died from shooting.Even though,the case currently remains unsolved,there are many indications that Kansas City rapper Anthony ''Fat Tone'' Watkins had a motive to kill him.The story goes that Mac Dre refused to perform at the rap show that was organized by Fat Tone.Allegedly,there was a payment dispute with him.Shortly after Mac Dre's death,Fat Tone made a song in which he apparently brags about the killing.Police did examined Fat Tone,but couldn't gather enough evidence against him,so no charges were filed.But Mac Dre's friends,especially his fellow Thizz Entertainment rapper,Mac Minister brought their own justice.Since he was sure that Fat Tone killed Mac Dre,he made a plan to kill him.He brought him on a fraud to Las Vegas,allegedly pretending that he wants to reconcile,and offer him a record deal.In May,2005,Mac Minister and his friend Jason ''Corleone'' Mathis met Fat Tone and his friend Jermaine ''Cowboy'' Akins,at the construction site near Las Vegas.Mac Minister and Corleone,gunned down Fat Tone & Cowboy with the AK-47.The bodies were found with,more than 20 bullets in each of them.Some people say,that Corleone was the one who killed them with the AK-47,and Mac Minister then shot them in the head with 38 pistol.After that,Mac Minister was on the run for 10 months,and after he was finally caught on March 2,2006,he was convicted to life in prison without the possibillity of parole,on July 31,2008.Even though Mac Minister killed Fat Tone to retaliate Mac Dre's death,and all the things mentioned above indicates,that Fat Tone killed Mac Dre.We don't know that for sure,and we may never find out.



Mac Dre discography:
1989: Young Black Brotha EP
1991: California Livin EP
1992: What's really going on? EP
1992: Back N Da Hood EP
1993: Young Black Brotha: The Album
1998: Stupid Doo Doo Dumb
1999: Rapper Gone Bad
2000: Mind of a Gangsta,Mind of a Hustla,Tongue of a Pimp
2001: It's Not What You Say...It's How You Say It
2002: Thizzelle Washington
2003: Al Boo Boo
2004: Ronald Dregan: Dreganomics
2004: The Genie of the Lamp
2004: The Game is Thick, Vol. 2


Posthumous albums:
2007: Phil Clinton
2008: Dre Day: July 5th 1970


Colaboration albums:
1990: Supa Sig Tapes (with Little Bruce)
2001: Turf Buccaneers (with Cuttroat Cometee)
2005: Money iz Motive (with Cuttroat Cometee)
2005: Da U.S. Open (with Mac Mall)
2005: 15 Years Deep (with Da'unda'dogg)
2007: DreDiggs (with J-Diggs)
2007: Everybody Ain't Able (Jay Tee)
2008: A Tale of Two Andres (with Andre Nickatina)
2009: Maccin' & Doggin' (with Da'unda'dogg)

                                     

                                                HITMAN                                

Date of birth:?? 1979 (no relevant information about the birth date)
Place of birth:San Francisco,California,U.S.
Date deceased:February 3,2003 (aged 24)
Place of death:San Francisco,California,U.S.
Cause of death:Murder




About Hitman:
After writing about Mr. Cee,I will continue with fellow RBL Posse member,Hitman.Unlike Mr. Cee,he wasn't so talented at first,(even though some San Francisco hip-hop fans,don't think that way,and I respect that),but he created his unique style and kept the gangsta image of the group,along with lone survived member,Black C.I personally didn't knew too much about him,so therefore I won't go any further in analyzing his rap skills.I feel like it wouldn't be fair,since I don't know that much about him.But I will say that in my opinion his rap skills are very solid,but not as good as Mr. Cee's.I also,always felt like,he was really mad (Black C also was) at the Mr. Cee's killers,and you could see his desire for revenge (which can be heard in some songs).Unfortunately,along with general danger in Hunters Point,that cost him,his life.Hitman's stroy is another indicator how tragic,gang related feuds are.It's sad,that those feuds,took the 2 talented rappers,from the same group.That also shows,how dangerous life was in their neighbourhood,Hunters Point.Which they sincerely described in their songs.The song called ''Straight Outta Hunter's Point'' is one of them.




Generally about Hitman:
Hitman (real name Ricky Herd) was born in 1979,in San Francisco,California.Like his fellow RBL Posse member,rapper Mr. Cee,who died 7 years before him,he was also from the notorious San Francisco district,Hunters Point.He started as a occasional member of the RBL Posse group (since he was only 15,when he first appeared on their songs),and was co-producer of the group's second album ''Ruthless by Law'' in 1994.Next year,in 1995,he released his debut solo album,''Solo Creep''.Then,after Mr. Cee,was shot 9 times and killed on January 1,1996,he became a full member of the RBL Posse,replacing Mr. Cee.On September,30,1997,RBL Posse released the album,''An Eye for an Eye'',in which they rap about retaliation for Mr. Cee's murder.The album was very successful,and was even peaking 70,on the Billborad 200 list.Album had a single called,''How We Comin''',featuring Mystikal and Big Lurch.In 1999,Hitman's second and last solo album was released.The album was called,''H20 vol.1''.A year later on September 26,2000,RBL Posse released the album,''Bootlegs &Bay Shit:The resume''.That album wasn't as successful as the last one,but it featured many famous rappers like,Spice 1,MC Eiht,Master P,Rappin' 4-Tay...On May 2,2001,Hitman was wounded in the leg,in the gang related feud in Hunters Point.Just 6 days after that,RBL Posse released their album,''Hostile Takeover''.That album would prove to be the groups last album,since in 2003 hitman was killed,leaving Black C,only member of the group that survived.




Hitman's Death:
On February 3,2003,while driving his car in Bayview district in Hunters Point,he was shot in the head at about 5 p.m.When arrived on the scene,San Francisco police first thought he died from a car accident.But when paramedics arrived,they discovered that he died from a gunshot wound to his head.The death was probably related to gang feuds in 2001,an was also probably connected to Hitman's fellow RBL Posse member,Mr. Cee's murder in 1996.After Hitman's death,RBL Posse has stopped to exist,but Black C continued his solo rap career & releasing RBL Posse related material.With Hitman's death,hip-hop lost the talented rapper,with his own unique stop-and-go style of rap,and other part of RBL Posse,for who I said it wasn't as talented as Mr. Cee,only because he was irreplaceable.




Hitman discography:
1995: Solo Creep
1997: An Eye for an Eye (with RBL Posse)
1999: H2O vol.1
2000: Bootlegs & Bay Shit: The Resume (with RBL Posse)
2001: Hostile Takeover (with RBL Posse)

                                       

                               MR. CEE                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Date of birth:?? 1973 (no relevant information about the birth date)         Place of birth:San Francisco,California,U.S.
Date deceased:January 1,1996 (aged 22)
Place of death:San Francisco,California,U.S.                                          Cause of death:Murder                                                                    




About Mr. Cee:
Well,now it's the time to talk a lil' bit about,less famous rappers.Even though Mr. Cee was one of them (except in the Bay Area),that doesn't mean he was a bad rapper.It was just the opposite,he was a great rapper who died way to young (22 years old),to make a bigger career,and was coming from a town,which at the time wasn't so related to hip-hop.Nevertheless,real hip-hop fans will know him as a member of the rap group,''RBL Posse'',(RBL is short for Ruthless by Law),along with the Black C.They made hits like,''Bammer Weed'',and ''Bounce to This''.From the group's 5 albums,Mr. Cee participated in the first two,before he was murdered.He was from the San Francisco district called,Hunters Point.And how dangerous it was,you can conclude by the fact that,along with Mr. Cee,his successor in the group,Hitman was also killed in 2003 in the same hood.Knowing that,the only member of the RBL Posse that survived,Black C,was to wounded in Hunters Point,or to be more precise,he lost an eye,in a conflict.That can easily be seen in the RBL Posse music videos.In most of them he wears a blindfold over his right eye.That danger,that surrounded them,made me feel compassionated to them,and that was so interesting.To me,that was the real gangsta rap.They weren't lying,or making up the stuff in the songs about the dangerous things that was happening to them.They really were happening to them.First song I heard from RBL Posse,was ''Bounce to This'',and since then I am a big fan of the RBL Posse.It made me really sad,when I found out that Mr. Cee was murdered,so at least I can make this tribute to him.



Generally about Mr. Cee:
Mr. Cee (real name Hubert Kyle Church) was born in 1973,in  San Francisco,Californa.He was from the notorious district,south part of the San Francisco,Hunters Point.In 1991,Mr. Cee met fellow Hunters Point rapper Black C through a mutual friend.At the time,Black C was mainly a beat maker,and he was searching for a talented rapper to form a group with.When he met Mr. Cee,in his studio,he was impressed with his rapping skills,and he knew that now he had a great rapper to form that group.So they formed the group ''RBL Posse'' in the same year.RBL Posse was the pioneering group rap group in San Francisco.On November 16,1992,the group's debut album came out.It was called,''A Lesson to Be Learned''.The album was sold in about 200,000 copies,and producing the hit single,''Don't Give Me No Bammer Weed''.On October 25,1994,their second album,''Ruthless by Law'' was released.That album was even more successful than the first album,and even peaked 197th on the Billborad 200.The most notable song,from this album was,''Bounce to This''.The album was produced by Mr Cee,Black C,The Enhancer,TC,Cellski,and the occasional member of the group,Hitman,who became full member of the group in 1995,shortly before Mr. Cee's death.The album caught the eye of the ''Atlantic Records'' producers,and just before signing up, (allegedly a million dollar contract),Mr. Cee was killed.



Mr. Cee's Death:
On New Year's Day,January 1,1996,Mr Cee was murdered in drive-by shooting near to his home in Hunters Point.He was shot nine times.

After his murder,many people in Hunters Point were killed in retaliation to his murder.Next year,remaining members of the group,Black C and Hitman made the album,''An Eye for an Eye'',in which they paid a tribute to Mr. Cee,but also called for retaliation to his murder.That resulted with death of Hitman too,on February 3,2003,also in Hunters Point.



Mr. Cee discography:
1992: A Lesson to Be Learned (with RBL Posse)
1994: Ruthless by Law (with RBL Posse)

                                         

                                               

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