N2Deep
Encyclopedia
N2Deep is a rap group from Vallejo, California
best known for their 1992 hit single "Back to the Hotel."
In 1990, the group now known as N2DEEP released an up-tempo single on vinyl record and cassette titled “Work That Body” on Rated Z Recordz, a label and production company started by Johnny Z. The single saw some club play and opened the doors for more live shows throughout the Bay Area. By 1992 the group and Rated Z prepared to release an EP, titled “Back At The Hotel.” Just before the cassette tape and vinyl record were to be released, N2DEEP, Johnny, and then Rated Z consultant, Steve Bernstein decided to send the tape to Cory Robbins of Profile Records. Cory then contacted Steve and offered a production contract to Rated Z for the group. By May 1992 the first single, now titled “Back To The Hotel,” was released on Profile Records and moved up the charts peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The full length album with the same title was also released, both to eventually receive RIAA certified gold records for sales of over 500,000.
The group enjoyed much success from the single and album and toured the country performing numerous live shows, including KMEL’s Summer Jam on more than one occasion.
In 1993 N2DEEP signed with management company Bust It, and began recording their second album. But before anything from the album could get released, Profile Records was sold and the group was dropped from the label. Bust It quickly released the second album, 24-7-365, with some radio success but never reaching the sales of the previous album.
After roughly a 3 year hiatus, the group would go on to release The Golden State in 1997 on independent label Swerve Records. In 1998, N2Deep released The Rumble, which was predominately a Jay Tee solo, on which TL only appeared on one song. In 2000, Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish would follow suit as another Jay Tee solo under the N2Deep moniker, this time with no participation from TL. Starting in 2001, Jay Tee dropped the N2Deep moniker and began releasing solo albums under his own name.
In 2008 Jay Tee and TL reformed N2Deep and started performing with long time friend Lofty (Joe Battle) followed by local Vallejo artists Mike Mekhalian (Big Mike) - guitarist/ music composer, Andrew Fox - drums, and Gregory Holben - bass (Later to be replaced by Ray B. Williams on bass). The group successfully started performing shows across the Bay Area to promote their upcoming new album titled "The Movement". The album was released on November 18, 2008 on Jay Tee's own label 40 Ounce Records.
For almost two decades Johnny Z aka JDeville, Jay Tee, and N2Deep have remained an underground presence in Northern California and The Bay Area rap scene, releasing several group and solo albums on their respective independent labels.
On Saturday, January 22, 2011 while visiting with friends and family, Lofty (Joe Battle) and his wife, Tamera, were killed in a motorcycle accident in Vacaville, Ca.
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
best known for their 1992 hit single "Back to the Hotel."
Biography
Formed in 1989 in Vallejo, CA by Johnny Z (John Zunino), Jay Tee (James Trujillo), and TL (Timothy Lyon). While attending college in Sacramento Johnny Z began producing hip hop music and after graduating and moving back to Vallejo, TL referred Johnny to an inspiring rapper, Jay Tee (James Trujillo). The three began writing and recording hip hop demos and performing live shows originally as 3DEEP. Before long, Johnny Z decided to work strictly behind the scenes and on the music and production end, while Jay Tee and TL performed the vocals and live shows.In 1990, the group now known as N2DEEP released an up-tempo single on vinyl record and cassette titled “Work That Body” on Rated Z Recordz, a label and production company started by Johnny Z. The single saw some club play and opened the doors for more live shows throughout the Bay Area. By 1992 the group and Rated Z prepared to release an EP, titled “Back At The Hotel.” Just before the cassette tape and vinyl record were to be released, N2DEEP, Johnny, and then Rated Z consultant, Steve Bernstein decided to send the tape to Cory Robbins of Profile Records. Cory then contacted Steve and offered a production contract to Rated Z for the group. By May 1992 the first single, now titled “Back To The Hotel,” was released on Profile Records and moved up the charts peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The full length album with the same title was also released, both to eventually receive RIAA certified gold records for sales of over 500,000.
The group enjoyed much success from the single and album and toured the country performing numerous live shows, including KMEL’s Summer Jam on more than one occasion.
In 1993 N2DEEP signed with management company Bust It, and began recording their second album. But before anything from the album could get released, Profile Records was sold and the group was dropped from the label. Bust It quickly released the second album, 24-7-365, with some radio success but never reaching the sales of the previous album.
After roughly a 3 year hiatus, the group would go on to release The Golden State in 1997 on independent label Swerve Records. In 1998, N2Deep released The Rumble, which was predominately a Jay Tee solo, on which TL only appeared on one song. In 2000, Slightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish would follow suit as another Jay Tee solo under the N2Deep moniker, this time with no participation from TL. Starting in 2001, Jay Tee dropped the N2Deep moniker and began releasing solo albums under his own name.
In 2008 Jay Tee and TL reformed N2Deep and started performing with long time friend Lofty (Joe Battle) followed by local Vallejo artists Mike Mekhalian (Big Mike) - guitarist/ music composer, Andrew Fox - drums, and Gregory Holben - bass (Later to be replaced by Ray B. Williams on bass). The group successfully started performing shows across the Bay Area to promote their upcoming new album titled "The Movement". The album was released on November 18, 2008 on Jay Tee's own label 40 Ounce Records.
For almost two decades Johnny Z aka JDeville, Jay Tee, and N2Deep have remained an underground presence in Northern California and The Bay Area rap scene, releasing several group and solo albums on their respective independent labels.
On Saturday, January 22, 2011 while visiting with friends and family, Lofty (Joe Battle) and his wife, Tamera, were killed in a motorcycle accident in Vacaville, Ca.
Discography
- 1992: Back to the HotelBack to the HotelBack to the Hotel is the debut album by American rap group N2Deep, released June 1, 1992 on Profile Records. The album was produced by N2Deep and Johnny Z. The only guests on the album were fellow Vallejo, California artists B-Legit and E-40. Along with singles, music videos were released for...
- 1994: 24-7-36524-7-365 (N2Deep album)-External links:* at Discogs...
- 1997: The Golden StateThe Golden State (N2Deep album)The Golden State is the third album by rap group, N2Deep. The album was released in 1997 for Swerve Records and was produced by Johnny Z, Jay Tee, Funk Daddy, Ken Franklin and Dave G. Three singles were released "Day 2 Day Basis", "Threesome", "Parkin' Lot Pimpin'" and "Cali Lifestyles"...
- 1998: The RumbleThe RumbleThe Rumble is the fourth studio album and eighth album overall released by N2Deep. Although this album was released under the artist name N2Deep, The Rumble can actually be considered a Jay Tee solo album as TL only participates on one track, "1st We Drink Then We Smoke"...
- 1999: The Best of N2DeepThe Best of N2DeepThe Best of N2Deep is the first greatest hits compilation and eighth album overall by rap group, N2Deep. The compilation was released in 1999 for Soul Town Records and was produced by N2Deep, Johnny Z and others. In 2002 the project was remastered and reissued with the same track listing on Jay...
- 2000: Slightly Pimpish/Mostly DoggishSlightly Pimpish/Mostly DoggishSlightly Pimpish/Mostly Doggish is the fifth studio album and eighth album overall released by N2Deep. Although this album was released under the name N2Deep it is actually a Jay Tee solo album as TL does not participate on this project. The album was released in 2000 for Swerve Records and was...
- 2002: Unreleased Game 1993: The Lost AlbumUnreleased Game 1993: The Lost AlbumUnreleased Game 1993: The Lost Album is an album of unreleased material by American rap group N2Deep. Although recorded in 1993, It wasn't released until October 22, 2002, subsequently on Jay Tee's own label, 40 Ounce Records. The album was produced by Johnny Z and Jay Tee, in 2002...
- 2008: The Movement
External links
- [ N2Deep] - Allmusic.com
- The Real N2Deep MySpace Page
- 40 Ounce Records - Office Site
- Vimeo Page - Vimeo Page