Happy 25th Anniversary to Lost Boyz’ debut album Legal Drug Money, originally released June 4, 1996.
We all know the story of hip-hop, and how it originated as a youthful subculture, primarily around the New York City housing projects of the South Bronx during the early ‘70s. In its nearly 50 years of existence, hip-hop has touched every part of the globe, impacted nearly every culture, and its music has been recited in most of the world’s languages. Hip-hop music has clawed its way to the top of SoundScan charts to become one of the best-selling genres of the 21st century, with its musicians becoming industry moguls, philanthropists, and ambassadors to world leaders.
These are all staggering accomplishments, yet when hip-hop music is at its best, it returns to its essence, sometimes not far from the very place of its inception.
Twenty-five years ago, for instance, listeners were provided a lyrical tour through the South Jamaica section of Queens, NY. A neighborhood, adjacent to Hollis, which helped shape hip-hop icons like Russell Simmons, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J, who would all go on to help define the genre from the mid ‘80s and beyond. Following in the footsteps of notable South Jamaica bred artists like Organized Konfusion co-founders Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po, as well as select members of Onyx, the Lost Boyz set out to tell their own unique story and carve a distinct path as residents of hip-hop’s storied borough.
Led by Terrance “Mr. Cheeks” Kelly, the Lost Boyz formally launched their career in August 1995 with the release of one of their most popular hits and most memorable anthems of that summer. “Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz” is an enduring classic of hip-hop’s Boom-Bap era, and a highlight of the acclaimed producer Easy Mo Bee’s career. Cheeks formally introduced the group with his battle raps “Who’s the best / I want the best to come test me / so I can release some stress from my chest G / is you down to go pound for pound / toe to toe, blow for blow, round for round / I'm wonderin' 'coz I bring the thunder and the rain/ 'Causin' confusion to your brain.”
As the LP’s lead single, “Jeeps” showcased the group’s signature sound of catchy hooks, stellar ad-libs provided by Freaky Tah, and consistent rhymes from Mr. Cheeks. It also reinforced the group’s knack for picking superb production. The head-nod inducing track is a perfect example of why Mo Bee had become one of the staple soundsmiths, particularly within the context of the East Coast sound of the ‘90s. The track sits right alongside songs like Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear,” Biggie’s “Warning,” and 2Pac’s “Temptations” at the creative peak of Mo Bee’s extensive resume.
Legal Drug Money’s second single “Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless” was produced by Easy Mo Bee as well, offering a more cinematic beat to highlight Cheeks’ play-by-play storytelling.
“The Yearn” was another highlight lifted from Legal Drug Money. Although lacking the verse from the song’s producer Pete Rock on the song’s alternate version, the album version does contain a rare verse from the group’s hype man, Freaky Tah, which made for one of the most rewarding moments of the album. The song was also released as a single for the 1996 America is Dying Slowing compilation album, released to help the Red Hot Organization raise awareness for AIDS through pop culture. The safe sex anthem lands as a microcosm of the Lost Boyz’ hitmaking repertoire, with Cheeks’ sing-along style rhyme delivery a great addition to late night club speakers or loud car volumes while cruising through inner-city roadways. The chemistry between Cheeks and Tah was as fun to behold as any emcee and wingman combination of the ‘90s, fully equipped with custom-made dance moves that made for some of the most entertaining rap videos of the era.
Songs like the LP’s fourth and fifth singles, “Music Makes Me High” and “Get Up,” reinforced the group’s penchant for connecting with top-caliber producers for hits to circulate radio airways. “Renee,” which is perhaps the group’s most well-known song, remains one of hip-hop’s most succinct and heart-wrenching narratives. The song solidifies frontman Cheeks as a bona fide emcee, who can not only move a crowd with chants and rhythmic pacing, but also a lyrical craftsman who can orate a detailed and linear romantic tragedy. Mostly set in the group’s hometown of Queens, “Renee” is as vivid of a street tale as ever displayed in hip-hop. The saga that entails drugs, sex, and violence sits in an elite class of storytelling alongside classics like Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” and Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day.”
Truly effective as a debut album, Legal Drug Money is arguably underappreciated for its versatility and innovation. Although it was both a critical and commercial success, the album was considered among the sleeper gems of one of hip-hop’s most competitive years.
In one of hip-hop’s most solemn twists of irony, the group would lose multiple founding members to street tragedy. Freaky Tah was tragically murdered in March of 1999 and Spigg Nice was sentenced to 37 years federal time for a string of armed robberies in the early 2000s. Mr. Cheeks would find success as a solo artist with hit records “Lights, Camera, Action” (2001) and his collaboration with Lil’ Kim, “Jump Off” (2003).
As a group, the Lost Boyz possessed a rare and special spark, with their highly infectious chemistry, energy and versatility, all of which seemed to help them deliver a new trick for every song. Legal Drug Money is as gritty of a project ever presented by a Queens group or artist, with its rugged street tales and raw delivery, but it’s equally as ambitious in reminding us that the everyday struggle of street survival deserves some celebration.
A quarter-century on from its release, we tip our glass to the memory of Freaky Tah and Spigg Nice, while popping a bottle to the Queens quartet who helped us dance our own pain away in the mid ‘90s through a string of hits that began with an LP that helped take hip-hop back to its essence.
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