Kurupt
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown (born November 23, 1972), better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American
rapper
and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records
. He is a member of the rap group Tha Dogg Pound
, and is mostly known for his work with Death Row Records
.
, Pennsylvania
where he lived for a while. He also lived in Sharon Hill, PA with his mother, sister and younger brother. A suburb of Philadelphia, Sharon Hill is where he sharpened his emcee skills. He later moved to Hawthorne, California
to live with his father Jomax Collins (Ah-Fook).
; his first album, Kuruption!
, was a double-disc that featured both east and west coast CDs. He is the cousin of rapper Redrum781, known from the Bloods & Crips
Bangin' on Wax albums, and Damu Ridas. He was a member of the Rollin 60's Neighborhood Crips.
Kurupt was signed to Death Row Records
in the early '90's, making up a core roster that consisted of himself, Daz Dillinger
, Lady of Rage
, Snoop Dogg
and RBX
, led musically by Dr. Dre
. These artists gained maximum exposure by appearing on Dre's breakthrough album, The Chronic
, during which Kurupt and Daz developed a close working relationship. After forming two-man crew Tha Dogg Pound
, they were heavily featured on Snoop's debut Doggystyle, even given their own song alongside Rage, "For All My Niggaz & Bitchez."
After the signing of Tupac Shakur
to Death Row in September 1995, a rivalry
was sparked between Death Row and the east coast's Bad Boy Entertainment. Death Row became a divided label, with Suge Knight
and 2Pac demanding every rapper on the label diss an assortment of east coast artists hailing from or affiliated with Bad Boy. Having already thrown in on the Ruthless Records/Death Row conflict, Kurupt and Daz joined in the feud with their single "New York, New York
," featuring Snoop Dogg; the song was interpreted as a diss against NYC and although it did not diss anyone specifically, it incited the response "L.A., L.A." The duo's album, Dogg Food
, became highly successful, despite being the first Death Row release not produced (it was, however, mixed) by Dr. Dre.
The time after Dogg Foods release was a hectic one for Death Row. Artists discouraged by the rising conflict included RBX, who left the label; Lady of Rage, whose project was continually postponed; and Dr. Dre himself, who began to resent Suge's controversial strong-arm tactics and thirst for the spotlight. When Andre jumped ship for Aftermath Entertainment
, Daz became the main producer for Death Row, handling much of 2Pac's All Eyez on Me
and Snoop Dogg's Tha Doggfather
, on which Kurupt was featured relatively sparingly, in contrast to his former high profile on label projects.
; he initially signed with A&M
, on which he founded an imprint, Antra Records. It was through this deal Brown released his debut solo album Kuruption! in 1998, with appearances by Dr. Dre, Buckshot
, and former foe N.O.R.E.
The video for the single, "Ask Yourself a Question" was directed by writer-journalist-filmmaker Barry Michael Cooper (who wrote the screenplays for "New Jack City", "Sugar Hill", and "Above The Rim"); it featured Dr. Dre, producer of the song. The video was filmed in Philadelphia, Pa., in November, 1998.
Though the double-disc effort featured only a bit of Daz production, he and his former groupmate were still on good terms; when Dillinger followed in his tracks and left Death Row in 1999, he produced several tracks for his groupmate's second album Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha
, marking the end of Kurupt's tenure at Antra. The record featured a widespread diss track called "Calling Out Names," on which Kurupt called out various rappers, including DMX
, accusing the east coaster of stealing his contract deal with Ja Rule. During this time, he linked up with fellow Californian Ras Kass
, Wu-Tang Clan
-affiliate Killah Priest
and former Universal Records
wonder Canibus
to form a group called The HRSMN
; despite repeated promises of an album, the group's only release has been an unfinished white label.
While Suge owned rights to Tha Dogg Pound name, Kurupt and Daz formed the core of an extended family called DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz)/DPGC (Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique), the latter of which also prominently featured Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly
, and others intermittently. Daz and Kurupt went on to release Dillinger & Young Gotti
under the name DPG, which garnered lukewarm reviews. Kurupt's following solo album for Artemis Records, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey
, fared better, with production from Daz and up-and-coming producer Fredwreck
; his then-fiancee, Natina Reed
, provided the hook for the single "It's Over."
, Crooked I
, and Eastwood; he also began work on his next album, Against tha Grain
, and formed a new group: The Riflemen, consisting of Kurupt, Mobb Deep
, Jayo Felony
, 40 Glocc, and The Alchemist
, though the possibility of a record from this ensemble has seemingly faded over time.
More hurt by the conflict than he let on, Kurupt continued to work disses into his solo album; a bootleg version of the project, Originals
, was released in 2004 after repeated delays of its official release, as well as those of Crooked I and other Death Row artists. In 2005, Snoop Dogg began acting as a diplomat between the two parties, and Tha Dogg Pound reunited under its original moniker in April of that year at a west coast unity event hosted by Snoop. Against tha Grain was released, but by that time Kurupt had already left the label a second time, and publicly denounced the disses inherent in the record; an EP called Against tha Grain E.P.
has also surfaced, containing said disses to his cohorts. Since their reunion, Kurupt has claimed both members got over their previous problems with no issue.
in 2007; while he originally touted Dogg Chit as the heir to Dogg Foods legacy, he has since stated that none of the group's intermittent releases are to be considered actual albums—more like mixtapes, and that the upcoming 100 Wayz (originally titled Westcoast Aftershocc) is to be considered the second actual Dogg Pound release. '06 also saw the release of Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
, on which Kurupt appeared. After putting out Digital Smoke
with J. Wells
, Brown also released an album with his younger brother Roscoe
entitled The Frank and Jess Story
. Kurupt appeared on Snoop Dogg's 2008 album Ego Trippin'
.
Before 100 Wayz, Tha Dogg Pound's Gangsta Grillz mixtape was released, hosted by DJ Drama
;, followed by an album called BlaQKout
with DJ Quik
due out on April 28, 2009--the single for which, "Fuck Y'all," is a diss to former Quik partners AMG, Hi-C and 2nd II None.
Kurupt has been featured on many tracks with other independent artists over the last few years and released his first solo album in four years, Streetlights, on April 20, 2010. Kurupt is currently recording with MC Eiht
, King T, Jayo Felony
, Tha Chill, and Sir Jinx
for a hip hop
group project called "1st Generation". Kurupt also plans to release the long anticipated HRSMN album in 2011 as well as a compilation album with collaborations between various artists titled 'The Academy' on Penagon Records.
but has not yet won an award as of 2010.
Loaded (2008 film)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
. He is a member of the rap group Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound is a rap group made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success. The group made their 1992 rap debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, on various songs. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg's debut album...
, and is mostly known for his work with Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
.
Early life
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown was born in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
where he lived for a while. He also lived in Sharon Hill, PA with his mother, sister and younger brother. A suburb of Philadelphia, Sharon Hill is where he sharpened his emcee skills. He later moved to Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city at the 2010 census had a population of 84,293, up from 84,112 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
to live with his father Jomax Collins (Ah-Fook).
First Term on Death Row
As a result, he has associated himself somewhat with Philadelphia and its rap scene, including Philly rappers such as Beanie SigelBeanie Sigel
Dwight Grant , also known as Beanie Sigel, is a American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,most recently he was in talks with 50 Cent to sign with G-Unit Records and is a former member/artist of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fella Records where he had formed a close association with rappers...
; his first album, Kuruption!
Kuruption!
Kuruption! is the debut studio album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on Antra Records, a label formed after Kurupt left Death Row Records. It was released as a double album. Disc one is labeled as "West Coast" and disc two is labeled as "East Coast". It peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on...
, was a double-disc that featured both east and west coast CDs. He is the cousin of rapper Redrum781, known from the Bloods & Crips
Bloods & Crips
Bloods & Crips was a musical collaboration between members of the Bloods & Crips gangs formed by Tweedy Bird Loc, Redrum 781 and Ronnie Phillips in 1993.-History:...
Bangin' on Wax albums, and Damu Ridas. He was a member of the Rollin 60's Neighborhood Crips.
Kurupt was signed to Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
in the early '90's, making up a core roster that consisted of himself, Daz Dillinger
Daz Dillinger
Delmar Drew Arnaud , better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records.-The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound and Dogg Food:Daz began his career on Death Row...
, Lady of Rage
Lady of Rage
Robin Yvette Allen , better known by her stage name The Lady of Rage, is an American rapper and actress best known for collaborations with several Death Row Records artists, including Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg on the seminal albums The Chronic and Doggystyle...
, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
and RBX
RBX
Eric Dwayne Collins, better known by his stage name RBX , is a former rapper and R&B singer from Long Beach, California...
, led musically by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. These artists gained maximum exposure by appearing on Dre's breakthrough album, The Chronic
The Chronic
The Chronic is the solo debut album of American hip hop artist Dr. Dre, released December 15, 1992, on his own record label Death Row Records, and distributed by Priority Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in June 1992 at Death Row Studios in Los Angeles and at Bernie Grundman...
, during which Kurupt and Daz developed a close working relationship. After forming two-man crew Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound
Tha Dogg Pound is a rap group made up of Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success. The group made their 1992 rap debut on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, on various songs. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg's debut album...
, they were heavily featured on Snoop's debut Doggystyle, even given their own song alongside Rage, "For All My Niggaz & Bitchez."
After the signing of Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
to Death Row in September 1995, a rivalry
East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
The East Coast–West Coast Hip Hop Rivalry was a feud in the 1990s between artists and fans of the Eastcoast and Westcoast hip-hop scenes. Seeming focal points of the feud were East Coast-based rapper The Notorious B.I.G...
was sparked between Death Row and the east coast's Bad Boy Entertainment. Death Row became a divided label, with Suge Knight
Suge Knight
Marion "Suge" Knight, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Black Kapital Records and co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Death Row Records rose to dominate the rap charts after Dr. Dre's breakthrough album The Chronic in 1992. After several years of chart successes for artists including...
and 2Pac demanding every rapper on the label diss an assortment of east coast artists hailing from or affiliated with Bad Boy. Having already thrown in on the Ruthless Records/Death Row conflict, Kurupt and Daz joined in the feud with their single "New York, New York
New York, New York (Tha Dogg Pound song)
"New York, New York" is a single from West Coast hip hop duo Tha Dogg Pound's first album, Dogg Food. It features Kurupt rapping the verses, with Daz Dillinger with a few quick verses in the video and Snoop Dogg in the chorus...
," featuring Snoop Dogg; the song was interpreted as a diss against NYC and although it did not diss anyone specifically, it incited the response "L.A., L.A." The duo's album, Dogg Food
Dogg Food
Dogg Food is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Tha Dogg Pound. Its controversial lyrics were the subject of shareholder protest...
, became highly successful, despite being the first Death Row release not produced (it was, however, mixed) by Dr. Dre.
The time after Dogg Foods release was a hectic one for Death Row. Artists discouraged by the rising conflict included RBX, who left the label; Lady of Rage, whose project was continually postponed; and Dr. Dre himself, who began to resent Suge's controversial strong-arm tactics and thirst for the spotlight. When Andre jumped ship for Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
, Daz became the main producer for Death Row, handling much of 2Pac's All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me
All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac, released February 13, 1996 on Death Row Records and Interscope Records....
and Snoop Dogg's Tha Doggfather
Tha Doggfather
Tha Doggfather is the second studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg; released by Death Row/Interscope Records on November 12, 1996. The album was re-released July 11, 2005. Snoop spent much of 1995 preparing for the case, which finally went to trial in late 1995. In February 1996, he was...
, on which Kurupt was featured relatively sparingly, in contrast to his former high profile on label projects.
Life After Death Row
2Pac's 1996 murder began a mass exodus of artists from Death Row Records. Kurupt was one of the first to leave, preceded only by Nate DoggNate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
; he initially signed with A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
, on which he founded an imprint, Antra Records. It was through this deal Brown released his debut solo album Kuruption! in 1998, with appearances by Dr. Dre, Buckshot
Buckshot (rapper)
Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
, and former foe N.O.R.E.
N.O.R.E.
Victor Santiago, Jr., best known by his stage name N.O.R.E. or Noreaga , is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent...
The video for the single, "Ask Yourself a Question" was directed by writer-journalist-filmmaker Barry Michael Cooper (who wrote the screenplays for "New Jack City", "Sugar Hill", and "Above The Rim"); it featured Dr. Dre, producer of the song. The video was filmed in Philadelphia, Pa., in November, 1998.
Though the double-disc effort featured only a bit of Daz production, he and his former groupmate were still on good terms; when Dillinger followed in his tracks and left Death Row in 1999, he produced several tracks for his groupmate's second album Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha
Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha
Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha is the second studio album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on November 16, 1999 through Antra Records. It features the single "Who Ride Wit Us". The track "Callin' Out Names" is a diss track towards rappers Ja Rule and DMX. It has been certified Gold by the RIAA with sales...
, marking the end of Kurupt's tenure at Antra. The record featured a widespread diss track called "Calling Out Names," on which Kurupt called out various rappers, including DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
, accusing the east coaster of stealing his contract deal with Ja Rule. During this time, he linked up with fellow Californian Ras Kass
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
, Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
-affiliate Killah Priest
Killah Priest
Walter Reed, better known as Killah Priest, Iron Sheik from the Middle East, or Masada, is an American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant & Brownsville neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. He is known for intensely spiritual lyrics loaded with metaphors and religious...
and former Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
wonder Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
to form a group called The HRSMN
The HRSMN
The HRSMN is an American hip hop group that has released one album entitled The Horsemen Project. The group consists of the platinum and gold selling artists, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in...
; despite repeated promises of an album, the group's only release has been an unfinished white label.
While Suge owned rights to Tha Dogg Pound name, Kurupt and Daz formed the core of an extended family called DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz)/DPGC (Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique), the latter of which also prominently featured Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly
Soopafly
Priest Joseph Brooks, better known by his stage name Soopafly, is a hip hop producer and rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the DPGC.- Early life:The oldest of three children, Brooks grew up in Long Beach...
, and others intermittently. Daz and Kurupt went on to release Dillinger & Young Gotti
Dillinger & Young Gotti
Dillinger & Young Gotti is the second studio album by rap group Tha Dogg Pound. It was released independently on Daz's Gangsta Advisory Records. It debuted at #124 on the billboard charts. Another Dogg Pound album was released that year...
under the name DPG, which garnered lukewarm reviews. Kurupt's following solo album for Artemis Records, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey
Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey
Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey is the third studio album by rapper Kurupt, it is also his final album to be released through Antra Records. It is also his first solo album not to feature a Dr. Dre produced track...
, fared better, with production from Daz and up-and-coming producer Fredwreck
Fredwreck
Farid Karam Nassar, better known as Fredwreck is a record producer from Los Angeles, California. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded Aftermath Records label, and went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on...
; his then-fiancee, Natina Reed
Natina Reed
Natina Tiawanna Reed is an American actress, rapper, singer, teen idol and songwriter in the R&B trio Blaque. On most of Blaque's songs, Reed is featured as a rapper, except on "Mind of a King" where she sings the song entirely on her own...
, provided the hook for the single "It's Over."
Second Term on Death Row
After an unofficial remix/compilation Dogg Pound album called 2002 in early 2002, questions began to arise as to the status of Tha Dogg Pound vs. Death Row. While the duo officially said they weren't sure, Kurupt signed back to Death Row in exchange for the role of Vice President . This apparently shocked his groupmates, especially Daz, who'd had a much more volatile falling-out with Knight; a verbal war erupted wherein Kurupt and Daz repeatedly dissed each other viciously, on records and in interviews. While this was going on, Kurupt was mentoring a new roster of Death Row artists, including Spider LocSpider Loc
Curtis Norvell Williams, more commonly known as Spider Loc is an American rapper signed to G-Unit Records.Loc is also the CEO of G-Unit West.-Biography:...
, Crooked I
Crooked I
Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the hip hop group, Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9. Slaughterhouse is currently signed to Shady Records / Interscope Records....
, and Eastwood; he also began work on his next album, Against tha Grain
Against Tha Grain
Against tha Grain is the fourth studio album by rapper Kurupt and his first on Death Row Records as a solo artist. Kurupt signed back on to Death Row Records, except as a solo artist in 2002. The album was supposed to be released in 2004, but was delayed. It was finally released in August 2005. It...
, and formed a new group: The Riflemen, consisting of Kurupt, Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
, Jayo Felony
Jayo Felony
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...
, 40 Glocc, and The Alchemist
The Alchemist (producer)
Alan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California...
, though the possibility of a record from this ensemble has seemingly faded over time.
More hurt by the conflict than he let on, Kurupt continued to work disses into his solo album; a bootleg version of the project, Originals
Originals
Originals is the first compilation album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on March 15, 2005 through 101 Distribution.-Track listing:#"1969"#"Original"#"Final Testament"#"We Bang"#"Never Give Up"#"Break Yo Back" feat. Suga Free#"Major Money"...
, was released in 2004 after repeated delays of its official release, as well as those of Crooked I and other Death Row artists. In 2005, Snoop Dogg began acting as a diplomat between the two parties, and Tha Dogg Pound reunited under its original moniker in April of that year at a west coast unity event hosted by Snoop. Against tha Grain was released, but by that time Kurupt had already left the label a second time, and publicly denounced the disses inherent in the record; an EP called Against tha Grain E.P.
Against tha Grain E.P.
Against tha Grain – The E.P. is an EP/bootleg compilation that consists of the songs that Kurupt and Koch Records removed from the original Against tha Grain album, as well as other filler tracks that had nothing to do with the original release...
has also surfaced, containing said disses to his cohorts. Since their reunion, Kurupt has claimed both members got over their previous problems with no issue.
Dogg Pound reunited
Kurupt and Daz released Dillinger & Young Gotti II: The Saga Continuez in 2005, Cali iz Active (as DPG with Snoop Dogg) in 2006, and Dogg ChitDogg Chit
Dogg Chit is the fifth studio album by rap group Tha Dogg Pound. Guests include Too Short, Snoop Dogg, RBX, The Game, and Their former rivals B.G. Knocc Out and Dresta...
in 2007; while he originally touted Dogg Chit as the heir to Dogg Foods legacy, he has since stated that none of the group's intermittent releases are to be considered actual albums—more like mixtapes, and that the upcoming 100 Wayz (originally titled Westcoast Aftershocc) is to be considered the second actual Dogg Pound release. '06 also saw the release of Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Tha Blue Carpet Treatment is the eighth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg; released by Geffen Records on November 21, 2006. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard charts.- Album information :...
, on which Kurupt appeared. After putting out Digital Smoke
Digital Smoke
Digital Smoke is an collaboration album by West Coast rapper Kurupt and West Coast rapper/producer J. Wells. The album was released June 5, 2007. It features many other rappers such as Tha Alkaholiks, Roscoe, Goodie Mob, Knoc-turn'al, and Kokane...
with J. Wells
J. Wells
J. Wells is a record producer, businessman, and occasional rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew.- Biography :...
, Brown also released an album with his younger brother Roscoe
Roscoe (rapper)
David Williams , better known by his stage name Roscoe, is a rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California. His 2003 album, Young Roscoe Philaphornia, appeared on Billboard's Billboard 200 at #148....
entitled The Frank and Jess Story
The Frank and Jess Story
The Frank and Jess Story is the first collaboration album by rappers Kurupt and Roscoe. The album was released on November 11, 2008 through Koch Records...
. Kurupt appeared on Snoop Dogg's 2008 album Ego Trippin'
Ego Trippin'
Ego Trippin' is the ninth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg; released by Geffen Records on March 11, 2008 and featured production from QDT .- Background :...
.
Before 100 Wayz, Tha Dogg Pound's Gangsta Grillz mixtape was released, hosted by DJ Drama
DJ Drama
Tyree Cinque Simmons better known as DJ Drama is an American hip hop artist and the official DJ for Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.....
;, followed by an album called BlaQKout
BlaQKout
BlaQKout is a collaboration album by rapper/record producer DJ Quik and rapper Kurupt. It is completely produced by DJ Quik. The album debuted at #61 on the Billboard 200, selling 8,800 copies its first week....
with DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
due out on April 28, 2009--the single for which, "Fuck Y'all," is a diss to former Quik partners AMG, Hi-C and 2nd II None.
Kurupt has been featured on many tracks with other independent artists over the last few years and released his first solo album in four years, Streetlights, on April 20, 2010. Kurupt is currently recording with MC Eiht
MC Eiht
Aaron Tyler , 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...
, King T, Jayo Felony
Jayo Felony
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...
, Tha Chill, and Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
for a hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group project called "1st Generation". Kurupt also plans to release the long anticipated HRSMN album in 2011 as well as a compilation album with collaborations between various artists titled 'The Academy' on Penagon Records.
Studio albums
- 1998: Kuruption!Kuruption!Kuruption! is the debut studio album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on Antra Records, a label formed after Kurupt left Death Row Records. It was released as a double album. Disc one is labeled as "West Coast" and disc two is labeled as "East Coast". It peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 on...
- 1999: Tha Streetz Iz a MuthaTha Streetz Iz A MuthaTha Streetz Iz a Mutha is the second studio album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on November 16, 1999 through Antra Records. It features the single "Who Ride Wit Us". The track "Callin' Out Names" is a diss track towards rappers Ja Rule and DMX. It has been certified Gold by the RIAA with sales...
- 2001: Space Boogie: Smoke OddesseySpace Boogie: Smoke OddesseySpace Boogie: Smoke Oddessey is the third studio album by rapper Kurupt, it is also his final album to be released through Antra Records. It is also his first solo album not to feature a Dr. Dre produced track...
- 2004: Against tha GrainAgainst Tha GrainAgainst tha Grain is the fourth studio album by rapper Kurupt and his first on Death Row Records as a solo artist. Kurupt signed back on to Death Row Records, except as a solo artist in 2002. The album was supposed to be released in 2004, but was delayed. It was finally released in August 2005. It...
- 2006: Same Day, Different ShitSame Day, Different ShitSame Day, Different Shit is the fifth studio album by rapper Kurupt. It was released under the name Young Gotti, which was a nickname given to Kurupt by Tupac Shakur. Kurupt left Death Row Records due to poor sales and reviews of his previous album, Against Tha Grain. He joined Daz's D.P.G. Recordz...
- 2010: StreetlightsStreetlights (Kurupt album)- Track listing :-External links:* by Billboard...
Compilation albums
- 2005: OriginalsOriginalsOriginals is the first compilation album by rapper Kurupt. It was released on March 15, 2005 through 101 Distribution.-Track listing:#"1969"#"Original"#"Final Testament"#"We Bang"#"Never Give Up"#"Break Yo Back" feat. Suga Free#"Major Money"...
- 2010: Down and Dirty
- 2011: Penagon Rydaz
Collaboration albums
- 2003: The Horsemen ProjectThe Horsemen ProjectThe Horsemen Project is the first full-length album released by the hip hop supergroup The HRSMN through Think Differently Music/Proverbs Music Inc...
(with The HRSMNThe HRSMNThe HRSMN is an American hip hop group that has released one album entitled The Horsemen Project. The group consists of the platinum and gold selling artists, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in...
) - 2007: Digital SmokeDigital SmokeDigital Smoke is an collaboration album by West Coast rapper Kurupt and West Coast rapper/producer J. Wells. The album was released June 5, 2007. It features many other rappers such as Tha Alkaholiks, Roscoe, Goodie Mob, Knoc-turn'al, and Kokane...
(with J. WellsJ. WellsJ. Wells is a record producer, businessman, and occasional rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew.- Biography :...
) - 2008: The Frank and Jess StoryThe Frank and Jess StoryThe Frank and Jess Story is the first collaboration album by rappers Kurupt and Roscoe. The album was released on November 11, 2008 through Koch Records...
(with RoscoeRoscoe (rapper)David Williams , better known by his stage name Roscoe, is a rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, California. His 2003 album, Young Roscoe Philaphornia, appeared on Billboard's Billboard 200 at #148....
) - 2009: BlaQKoutBlaQKoutBlaQKout is a collaboration album by rapper/record producer DJ Quik and rapper Kurupt. It is completely produced by DJ Quik. The album debuted at #61 on the Billboard 200, selling 8,800 copies its first week....
(with DJ QuikDJ QuikDavid Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
) - 2009: Tha Tekneek Files (with Roscoe)
- 2011: The Academy (with VA)
- TBA: The End is NearThe End Is NearThe End is Near is the fifth and purported final studio album by Five Iron Frenzy, self-released on June 18, 2003. The album was later widely re-released as a part of double album titled The End is Here by Five Minute Walk Records on April 20, 2004...
(with The HRSMNThe HRSMNThe HRSMN is an American hip hop group that has released one album entitled The Horsemen Project. The group consists of the platinum and gold selling artists, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in...
) - TBA: Stay of ExecutionStay of executionA stay of execution is a court order to temporarily suspend the execution of a court judgment or other court order. The word "execution" does not necessarily mean the death penalty; it refers to the imposition of whatever judgment is being stayed....
(with The N'Matez)
Filmography
- 1995 Murder Was the CaseMurder Was the CaseMurder Was the Case is a 1994 short film and soundtrack album starring Snoop Doggy Dogg. The 18 minute film was directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy and chronicles the fictional death of Snoop Dogg and his resurrection after making a deal with the Devil...
- 1998 Straight from the StreetsStraight from the StreetsStraight from the Streets is the debut album by Sean T. It was released in 1993 for Murder One Records and was produced by Sean T and G-Man Stan...
(Video) - 1999 Charlie Hustle: Blueprint of Self-Made Millionaire (Video)
- 1999 3 the Hard Way3 The Hard Way3 The Hard Way is a New Zealand hiphop group formed in 1994.-History:3 The Hard Ways first release was Hip Hop Holiday, which was released in 1994. The song spent five weeks at the top of the New Zealand charts, selling in excess of thirty thousand copies, and became a Kiwi anthem...
(Video) - 2000 The Up In Smoke Tour (Video)
- 2001 Keepin' It Real (as Raw-D)
- 2001 The WashThe WashThe Wash is the square-mouthed bay and estuary on the northwest margin of East Anglia on the east coast of England, where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire. It is among the largest estuaries in the United Kingdom...
(as Maniac) - 2002 Kurupt: G-TV (Video)
- 2002 Half Past DeadHalf Past DeadHalf Past Dead is a 2002 action movie in which a criminal infiltrates a prison to interrogate a prisoner about the location of a fortune in gold while an undercover FBI agent has to stop him. The film stars Steven Seagal, Morris Chestnut, Ja Rule, Nia Peeples, Kurupt, and Claudia Christian...
(as Twitch) - 2002 Dark Blue (as Darryl Orchard)
- 2003 FastlaneFastlane (TV series)Fastlane is an American action/crime drama series that was broadcast on Fox from 2002 to 2003. On August 14, 2005 G4 began rebroadcasting the complete series. After finishing its initial run on the network, Fastlane stopped airing on G4...
(TV episode called "Dosed" (as Fallon) - 2003 Hollywood HomicideHollywood HomicideHollywood Homicide is a 2003 American action comedy film starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.The film also features Lena Olin, Lolita Davidovich, Martin Landau, Bruce Greenwood, Isaiah Washington, Keith David, Dwight Yoakam and Master P in supporting roles, with Eric Idle making a cameo...
(as K-Ro) - 2003 "Hardware: Uncensored Music Videos - Hip Hop Volume 1"(Video) (segment "The Next Episode")
- 2003 Tupac: ResurrectionTupac: ResurrectionTupac: Resurrection is a 2003 documentary about the life and death of rapper Tupac Shakur. The film, directed by Lauren Lazin and released by Paramount Pictures, is narrated by Tupac Shakur himself. The film was in theaters from November 16, 2003 to December 21, 2003...
- 2003 "Vegas Vamps"
- 2004 "I Accidentally Domed Your Son" (as Krego)
- 2004 Johnson Family VacationJohnson Family VacationJohnson Family Vacation is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Christopher Erskin. It stars Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Bow Wow, Gabby Soleil, Shannon Elizabeth, Solange Knowles, and Steve Harvey...
(as himself) - 2005 "A Talent for Trouble" (as himself)
- 2005 Brothers in Arms (as Kansas)
- 2006 "Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops"
- 2006 Stand By Your ManStand By Your Man"Stand by Your Man" is a song co-written by Tammy Wynette and Billy Sherrill and originally recorded by Tammy Wynette, released as a single in September 1968 in the USA...
(as Joker) - 2007 Half Past Dead 2Half Past Dead 2Half Past Dead 2 is a straight to DVD 2007 action film and is a sequel to the 2002 Steven Seagal and Morris Chestnut action movie, Half Past Dead. Among the main cast of the original movie, only Kurupt returns to reprise his role of Twitch.-Plot:...
(as Twitch) - 2008 ViceViceVice is a practice or a behavior or habit considered immoral, depraved, or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a defect, an infirmity, or merely a bad habit. Synonyms for vice include fault, depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness, and corruption...
(as TJ Greene) - 2008 Days of WrathDays of WrathDays of Wrath is a 2008 drama film starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Laurence Fishburne and Wilmer Valderrama. The film is directed by Celia Fox, and written by Mitchell Kapner and Michael Markee.-Plot:...
(as Bobby) - 2008 Loaded (as Dyson)
Grammy Award nominations
Kurupt has been nominated for one Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
but has not yet won an award as of 2010.
| Category | Genre | Song | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group (with Daz) | Soundtrack | "What Would You Do What Would You Do (Tha Dogg Pound song) "What Would You Do" is the debut single from Death Row Records duo Tha Dogg Pound, released in 1994 as the B-side to the Dr. Dre and Sam Sneed single "U Better Recognize", along with DJ Quik's "Dollaz + Sense." It had appeared on the soundtrack to Murder Was the Case the year before, alongside... " |
1996 | Nominated |
Loaded (2008 film)
External links
- Kurupt Interview at Metal Lungies.com
- Kurupt & DJ Quik Interview with soundhustle.com
- Kurupt Interview at HipHopDX
- Kurupt on the set of "In Gotti We Trust" by Streetgangs.com, March 28, 2010