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Cx1DJs Untold Stories of Waka Flocka Hosted by DJButterrock  Juaquin James Malphurs[1] (born May 31, 1986), known professionally as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper. He first became known for his 2009 single "O Let's Do It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Warner Records, that same year. His 2010 follow-up single, "No Hands" (featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale), reached number 13 on the chart and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs, along with "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party" (featuring Kebo Gotti), preceded the release of his debut studio album Flockaveli (2010), which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012) peaked at number ten on the chart and was supported by the singles "Round of Applause" (featuring Drake), "I Don't Really Care" (featuring Trey Songz) and "Get Low" (featuring Tyga, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida).

Early life
Malphurs was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City. His family ultimately settled in Riverdale, Georgia.[2] His mother, Debra Antney, is rapper Gucci Mane's former manager and the CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment.[3] The name "Waka" was given to him by his cousin, after the Muppets character Fozzie Bear's catchphrase, "Wocka Wocka". The name "Flocka Flame" was given to him by Gucci Mane,[4] whom he has known since 2005 when he was 19.[5] In January 2009, Malphurs released his debut mixtape, Salute Me or Shoot Me.[6][7] The mixtape contained the song "O Let's Do It", which was released as a commercial single in April of that year. After which, the song was re-recorded and the guest performer was changed. The song was produced by L-Don Beatz. By November 2009, he was signed to Gucci Mane's record label 1017 Records, along with fellow Georgia-based rapper OJ Da Juiceman, his cousin Frenchie,[8] and his brother Wooh Da Kid.[9][10] On January 19, 2010, Malphurs was shot and robbed at a car wash in his Atlanta hometown; a bullet went through his right arm.[11][12] Following this, "O Let's Do It" debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2010, and peaked at number 62 on the chart by April.[13][14][15] Throughout that year, he released the singles "Hard In Da Paint", "Grove St. Party", and "No Hands". The latter two entered the Billboard Hot 100—the latter at number 13—while each promoted the release of his debut studio album, Flockaveli on October 1, 2010.[16] The album debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and received positive critical reception.[17] Its title was inspired by Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli.[18] Malphurs was listed at number eight on MTV's Hottest MCs in the Game Annual List in 2010.[19]

Gucci Mane fired Malphurs' mother, Debra as his manager. There was initially no animosity between the two rappers due to this event. In an MTV interview, Malphurs affirmed that their relationship was, at the time, in good standing despite not being on speaking terms.[20] In early September, Gucci Mane attended Malphurs' Flockaveli listening party in support of the artist.[21]

2011–2012: Ferrari Boyz and Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
In 2011, Malphurs posed for a nude but not explicit promotional photo for PETA, to boycott killing animals and wearing fur. The picture reads "ink not mink".[22] Malphurs released several mixtapes in 2011, including Salute Me or Shoot Me 3, Benjamin Flocka and his last Twin Towers 2 (No Fly Zone) with fellow rapper Slim Dunkin.[23][24][25] On August 9, 2011, his collaborative album with Gucci Mane, Ferrari Boyz was released.[26] The first single was "She Be Puttin On", featuring Slim Dunkin, who was fatally shot the following year.[27]

"Round of Applause", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011[28] as the first single from his second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family. It was produced by frequent collaborator, Lex Luger. The album was released on June 8, 2012 and saw a critical and commercial decline from his debut.[29

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Cx1DJs Untold Stories of Pooh Shiesty Hosted by DJButterrock Full Episode Lontrell Denell Williams Jr. (born November 8, 1999), known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, is an American rapper.[4] His stage name was given to him by his late brother, who adapted his childhood nickname "Mr. Pooh" with the vernacular slang term "shiesty", which he felt was referential of his lifestyle.[5][6]

In 2020, he was signed to fellow Southern rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records this deal was reported to have been 10 million dollars ,[7] where he rose to prominence following his collaborations with the label's founder and fellow signees. His 2020 single, "Back in Blood" (featuring Lil Durk), peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] That same year, he guest-appeared on the remix of SpotemGottem's single "Beat Box", which peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100 and remains his joint-highest entry on the chart.

In early 2021, Shiesty released his debut mixtape, Shiesty Season, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. He was then sentenced to five years in prison on firearms conspiracy charges in June 2021, but was released early in late 2025. His 2025 comeback single, "FDO", peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100 and became his other highest-charting song as a lead artist, tying "Beat Box 2".

Following an April 2026 break-in at Gucci Mane's house, Shiesty (along with eight others) were arrested by the FBI and charged with federal conspiracy to commit kidnapping and robbery.[9]

Early life
Williams was born on 8 November 1999 in South Memphis. During high school, Williams spent two years in Pflugerville, Texas and attended Pflugerville High School.[10]

Career
2019–2020: Commercial debut
Pooh Shiesty began focusing on music at age 18.[11] He started off his career with his debut single, "Hell Night", featuring fellow rapper Big30, which was released on March 15, 2019, followed by the official music video on February 19, 2020.[12] "Shiesty Summer" was then released five months later, on August 20, 2019, succeeded by the music video the next day.[13] His collaborative single "Choppa Talk" with Big30 was released on August 23, 2019, but the video was released a few months before on May 6, 2019.[14] His final release of the year was the single "Day One" along with the accompanying visual on November 25, 2019.[15]

On March 11, 2020, Shiesty released the single "At It Again", but the visual was released nine days prior.[16] He released the single "Main Slime", on March 15, 2020.[17] On May 29, 2020, the latter song received a remix with an accompanying music video, featuring Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo and record producer Tay Keith, the latter of whom produced the original song.[18] Shiesty released the single "ABCGE" alongside the music video on June 3, 2020.[19]

After releasing a few singles of his own, Shiesty received attention from Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, who later signed him to his record label 1017 Records. In a joint-venture, he signed with its distributor, Atlantic Records in April 2020.[20] They first collaborated on Mane's single, "Still Remember", along with its music video on June 19, 2020.[21] The song was Shiesty's rise to fame and recognition. Six days later, he released the single "Monday to Sunday" (featuring rappers Lil Baby and Big30), alongside the music video on June 25, 2020.[22]

All three singles appeared on Mane's fourth compilation album, So Icy Summer, which was released on July 3, 2020.[23] The first half of the album consisted of songs by Mane and the second half consisted of songs from the rest of the 1017 label; Shiesty's labelmates include Foogiano, K Shiday, Enchanting, Big Scarr, and Roboy.[24] Shiesty and Mane reunited within the album on the latter's single "Who Is Him", with an accompanying music video the same day.[25]

On September 9, 2020, Shiesty released the single "Twerksum" alongside the music video.[26] The 1017 label (himself, Gucci Mane, Foogiano, Big Scarr, Roboy, K Shiday, and Enchanting) collaborated on Roboy's single "1017 Loaded", which was released alongside the accompanying music video exactly one month later, on October 9, 2020.[27] Both singles appeared on Gucci's fifth compilation album, So Icy Gang, Vol. 1, which was released on October 16, 2020.[28] The album is similar to the second half of So Icy Summer, but instead features different artists on the label.[29] In November 2020, Shiesty and SpotemGottem released a remix to the latter's single, which was titled "Beat Box 2."[30]

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock" hosted by DJButterrock  Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock were an American hip-hop duo from Harlem, New York City. Rob Base was the stage name of Robert Ginyard (May 18, 1967 – May 22, 2026) and DJ E-Z Rock was the stage name of Rodney "Skip" Bryce (May 8, 1967 – April 27, 2014).[1] They are best known for the 1988 single "It Takes Two", a "hip-hop staple"[2] that was a top 40 hit and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. That song was a part of the duo's album of the same name, which also has been certified platinum. They are known for being pioneers of the crossover success that rap music would have in the popular music mainstream.[3]

Career

Rob Base performing as a solo artist in October 2023
The duo's first U.S. single and release was "DJ Interview", appearing on World to World, which later got them a recording contract with Profile Records in 1987. The duo was assisted by a long-time friend from New Jersey, producer David Wynn. David Wynn produced three songs on their debut album and five on their sophomore album.[citation needed]

The first Profile release was "It Takes Two".[4] It used multiple samples from the James Brown and Lyn Collins 1972 song "Think (About It)".[4] The track first became a regional hit and then slowly climbed the Billboard Hot 100, picking up a multi-platinum single certification. The song also peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.[citation needed]

Their album It Takes Two was quickly[quantify] assembled. It produced a notable follow-up hit, "Joy and Pain", which sampled a song of the same name by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, as well as "Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is" by the Olympic Runners.[4] It reached the top 10 on the dance chart and climbed to No. 58 on the Hot 100. "Get On the Dance Floor", which sampled "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)" by The Jacksons, produced by David Wynn, was a track released to clubs in between the two singles. It hit No. 1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1989. Boosted by those singles, the It Takes Two album went platinum seven times over.[citation needed]

Base responded in 1989 with The Incredible Base, his debut solo album.[4] It did not sell as well as It Takes Two.[4] One song from the album hit the dance chart in late 1989: "Turn It Out (Go Base)", credited only to Rob Base.

In 2008, their song "It Takes Two" was ranked number 37 on VH1's 100 greatest songs of hip hop.[5]

Personal lives
Rob Base was born Robert Ginyard on May 18, 1967.[1] In the fourth grade, he relocated in New York City from the Bronx to Harlem in Manhattan, where he became a classmate of DJ E-Z Rock.[6] He attended Harlem public schools and loved music. Influenced by rap, he performed in talent shows and at as many open mic or hip-hop events as possible. His first child was born in 1989 to his then-girlfriend Rhonda Dunbar, with whom he was in a relationship from 1986 to 1991. In 1991, Base met April, and in 1992, they had a son. They subsequently took guardianship of April's cousin. Base and April married and remained together until her death in September 2013.[7] Rob Base died from cancer on May 22, 2026, at the age of 59.[8]

DJ E-Z Rock was born Rodney "Skip" Bryce in 1967 and raised in Harlem.[9] He died on April 27, 2014, at the age of 46, after complications from diabetes.[2]

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Lil Kim" hosted by DJButterrock
Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974),[2] better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and model. Referred to as the "Queen of Rap", Lil' Kim is known for her sexually charged lyrics and presence, which influenced women in contemporary hip-hop.[3] She is the second best-selling female rapper of all time with 45 million records sold, and is also a fashion icon for her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion.[4][5]

Lil' Kim was born and raised in New York City and lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, she would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage. In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper the Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.; their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In 1996, Lil' Kim released her debut album, Hard Core, which spawned the singles "No Time", "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)", and "Crush on You". The album became the highest debut in the US for a female rap album at the time, received a double platinum certification, and sold more than six million copies worldwide.[6][7] During this period, she adopted the nickname "Queen Bee". Her following album, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000), achieved similar success. She topped the Billboard Hot 100 by featuring on the 2001 single "Lady Marmalade", winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Her third album, La Bella Mafia (2003), was also certified platinum and spawned the singles "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick", the latter of which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2005, Lil' Kim served a one-year prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album, The Naked Truth, was released that same year to positive reviews from critics. A reality series covering her sentence, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, premiered on BET in 2006. She then released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008), and returned to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. Throughout the 2010s, she continued to release music and perform sporadically, collaborating with artists such as Faith Evans, Remy Ma, and Fabolous. Her fifth studio album, 9, was released in 2019.

Lil' Kim's collaboration with celebrity nail artist Bernadette Thompson for the 1999 "Money Nails" design she wore is credited with bringing intricate nail art into mainstream fashion and has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art.[8] Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang", and "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)" were each listed on Complex's list of the 50 Best Rap Songs By Women.[9] In 2012, she was listed on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music list at number 45, the second-highest position for a solo female hip-hop artist.[10]

Early life and education
Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, the second child of Linwood Jones, a former U.S. Marine.[11] She has an older brother, Christopher.[12] As a child, Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn.[13] When she was nine years old, her parents separated, and Jones was raised by her father, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship.[13] At fourteen, she left home, began living on the streets, and ultimately dropped out of high school.[7]

As a teenager, Jones met Christopher Wallace, known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. Wallace was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly after he gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records.[14] Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two-and-a-half years. She and her friends often skipped school. As she was not completing her schoolwork, the decision was made for her to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and a half of high school.[15]

Career
1994–1995: Junior M.A.F.I.A. and early success

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Nore" hosted by DJButterrock
Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), better known by his stage names N.O.R.E. (an acronym for Nigga On the Run Eating) and Noreaga,[a] is an American rapper and podcaster. Santiago first rose to prominence as one half of the East Coast hip-hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, which he formed in 1995 with fellow Queens-based rapper Capone. The duo released five studio albums, briefly disbanding after their second to pursue solo careers.

Santiago signed with Penalty Recordings as a solo artist to release his self-titled debut studio album in 1998.[b] The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 single "Superthug". He followed up with his second album, Melvin Flynt – Da Hustler (1999) before signing with Def Jam Recordings to release his third album, God's Favorite (2002). Matching his debut in chart position, it spawned his highest charting-single "Nothin'" (featuring Pharrell), which peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Jay-Z's Roc-La-Familia to release his fourth album N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe (2006), which saw his departure from hip hop in favor of reggaeton. It spawned the single "Oye Mi Canto" (featuring Nina Sky and Daddy Yankee), which peaked at number 12 on the chart.[2]

His independently-released fifth and sixth albums, Noreality (2007) and Student of the Game (2013) marked his return to East Coast hip hop. The latter narrowly entered the Billboard 200 and was issued through fellow New York rapper Busta Rhymes' Conglomerate label, although Santiago has since launched his own label imprint, Militainment Business. He signed with Nas' Mass Appeal Records to release his seventh album, 5E (2018).

Outside of music, Santiago is the co-host (with DJ EFN) of the talk show and podcast Drink Champs, which centers around celebrity interviews. The show has been described as "The Premier Hip Hop Interview Show" and won "Best Hip Hop Platform" at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.[3]

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Fabolous" hosted by DJButterrock
John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), known professionally as Fabolous (/ˈfæbələs/, FAB-ə-ləs),[1] is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label Desert Storm Records, in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He rose to further prominence with his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" (featuring Nate Dogg) and "Young'n (Holla Back)." Adopting a further commercially-oriented approach, his second album, Street Dreams (2003), was supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" (featuring Lil' Mo) and "Into You" (featuring Tamia or Ashanti)—both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2004, Jackson signed with Atlantic Records—another subsidiary of Warner Music Group—to release his third album Real Talk (2004), which saw continued success as his only project with the label. In 2006, he signed with Def Jam Recordings—owned by Warner competitor Universal Music Group—and founded his own label imprint, Street Family Records. His fourth and fifth albums, From Nothin' to Somethin' (2007) and Loso's Way (2009), both yielded his furthest commercial success, peaking at numbers two and one on the Billboard 200, respectively. Between his studio albums, he amassed a number of self-released mixtapes, including several installments in his There Is No Competition, The S.O.U.L. Tape, and Summertime Shootout series. He released his sixth and seventh albums, The Young OG Project (2014) and Summertime Shootout 3: Coldest Summer Ever (2019), to continued positive reception.

Jackson's series of hits in the 2000s includes "Trade It All, Pt. 2" (featuring Diddy and Jagged Edge), "Breathe," "Make Me Better" (featuring Ne-Yo), "Baby Don't Go" (featuring T-Pain), "Throw It in the Bag" (featuring The-Dream) and "You Be Killin' Em". He is also known for his appearances on R&B singles such as "Superwoman Pt. II" by Lil' Mo, "Dip It Low" by Christina Milian, "Shawty Is a 10" by The-Dream, "Addiction" by Ryan Leslie, "She Got Her Own" by Jamie Foxx, and "Say Aah" by Trey Songz. Jackson has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Young MA" hosted by DJButterrock Katorah Kasanova Marrero (born April 3, 1992),[1] better known by her stage name Young M.A (acronym for Young Me. Always), is an American rapper. She is best known for her 2016 single "Ooouuu", which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its accompanying music video also became a viral hit, receiving over 400 million views on YouTube by 2019.[2] Marrero's debut studio album, Herstory in the Making (2019), peaked at number 16 on the Billboard 200 and was met with positive critical reception.

Following the song's success, Marrero was nominated for BET's Artist of the Year and MTV's Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year awards.[3][4] She has been featured in advertising for Google Pixel 2, Beats By Dre and Pandora. In 2018, she was featured on the annual Forbes 30 Under 30[5] and launched the non-profit KWEENZ Foundation with her mother.

Early life and education
Katorah Marrero was born on 3 April 1992 in Brooklyn, New York.[6] Her mother is Jamaican, and her father is Puerto Rican.[7] Her father was incarcerated when she was a year old and was not released until she was 11, spending approximately 10 years behind bars. With the absence of her father, Marrero grew close to her brother, Kenneth Ramos, and her mother. When Marrero was 7, her mother decided to relocate to Chesterfield, as it provided better school facilities and her children would remain away from the violence of East New York. In Virginia, she started to play tackle football.[8] When she was 10, Marrero started to write rhymes in her schoolbooks. Her mother encouraged her and purchased a karaoke machine, which she would set up as a makeshift studio in her closet.[9] In 2010, she graduated from Sheepshead Bay High School.[10]

When she was a child, Young M.A exhibited a passion for music. When she began seriously focusing on music as an adult, she self-funded a recording studio with local record producers while working at the Shake Shack and T.J. Maxx.[11] In 2014, she gained notoriety when a Facebook post criticized her song "Brooklyn Chiraq", a freestyle to Nicki Minaj and G Herbo "ChiRaq"; the song then went viral.[12] The post's author, pundit Boyce Watkins, said the song promoted "violent, negative, and genocidal energy", but the controversy expanded Young M.A's name recognition and brought new listeners to her work.[13] In 2015, Young M.A released a new song, "Body Bag", which became a "YouTube hit", said Rolling Stone,[12] along with the release of her mixtape called Sleep Walkin', which MTV described as a "thoughtful debut project".[14]

In 2016, Young M.A released her official debut single, "Ooouuu,"[11] which peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[15] In September 2016, the song had nearly 7 million plays on Spotify[16] and was widely remixed by other rappers and hip-hop artists such as Remy Ma, French Montana, Nicki Minaj, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, ASAP Ferg, Bryan Mathers and Tink, all of whom released their versions of the song.[13] Stereogum's Tom Breihan said "Ooouuu" was "a brash, intense, hard-as-fuck piece of rider music... the song feels like it marks the arrival of a major rap talent."[17] The Fader said Young M.A has "[established] herself as a quintessential New York MC",[18] and MTV's Doreen St. Félix said, "This summer, the atmosphere belongs to Young M.A and her single 'OOOUUU.'"[14] The song's popularity drew attention from labels, though M.A remains an independent artist.[19]

At the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, she performed a freestyle on a cypher and performed "Ooouuu", giving what XXL Magazine described as "show-stopping freestyle... one of the best freestyles of the night". Despite the enthusiasm for her performance, Young M.A expressed disappointment, saying BET cut out a portion of her performance.[20] Remy Ma featured M.A at Hot 97's Summer Jam 2017, where she performed alongside other female rap greats. M.A was quoted as saying "There's been a lot of opportunities, and of course a lot of money, but then there's the downside: you lose a lot of people that were once around you once their true colors start to show".

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Dr Dre" hosted by DJButterrock
Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and co-founder of Death Row Records. He has made albums with many rappers through their careers, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and The Game. As of 2022, Dr. Dre is ranked as the fifth richest rapper by Forbes and is worth $400 million.[1][2] Dre began his career in music as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru and he later found fame with the gangsta rap group N.W.A. with Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella which made the use of swear words in rap songs in rap to tell about the violence of street life popular. During the 2000s, he produced music for other artists, while sometimes rapping with other artists' on their songs. Dr. Dre signed Eminem to his Aftermath record label in 1998 and 50 Cent in 2003 helping to make their albums with them. Rolling Stone magazine said Dr. Dre was one of the richest performers in 2001 and 2004. Dr. Dre was also in movies such as Set It Off, and the 2001 movies The Wash and Training Day.

Early career
Because he liked Grandmaster Flash, he often went to a club called The Eve After Dark to see a lot of DJs and rappers performing live. He then became a DJ in the club, at first under the name "Dr. J", his favourite basketball player. At the club, he met DJ Yella for the first time. Soon afterwards he started using the name Dr. Dre, half his old nickname, and half his first name, also calling himself as the Master of Mixology. He later joined the musical group World Class Wreckin' Cru in 1984. The group would become stars of the electro-hop scene that was really popular in early 1980s West Coast hip hop, and their first hit Surgery would feature Dr. Dre on the turntables and sell 50,000 tapes within Compton.[3] Dr. Dre and DJ Yella also did mixes for local radio stations, making the ratings for it's show Afternoon Traffic Jam go higher.[4] Dr. Dre's earliest songs were released in 1994 on a CD called Concrete Roots. He was a diver in high school, but because he skipped school a lot, he was kicked off the team. After high school, he went to Chester Adult School in Compton because his mother told him to get a job or go back to school. After going to a broadcasting school for a little bit, he moved to his father's house, and then his grandparents house before going back to his mother's house.[5] He later dropped out of Chester to focus on performing at the Eve's After Dark nightclub.

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Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Clive Davis" hosted by DJButterrock live Jay Davis (April 4, 1932 – June 22, 2026) was an American record executive, A&R executive, record producer and lawyer. He won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a non-performer, in 2000.[1]

From 1967 to 1973, Davis was the president of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1974 through 2000 until founding J Records. From 2002 until April 2008, he was chair and CEO of the RCA Music Group (which included RCA Records, J Records, and Arista Records), chair and CEO of J Records, and chair and CEO of BMG North America.

Davis is credited with having hired a young recording artist, Tony Orlando, as a music executive for Columbia in 1967 who provided Barry Manilow with his first recording contract a few years later.[2] He signed many artists who achieved significant success, including Pink Floyd; Sly and the Family Stone; Janis Joplin; Laura Nyro; Santana; Bruce Springsteen; Chicago; Earth, Wind & Fire; Aerosmith; Billy Joel; Donovan; the Bay City Rollers; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Luther Vandross; Loggins and Messina; Ace of Base; Olivia Longott; Westlife; and Gavin DeGraw. He is also credited with having brought Whitney Houston and Barry Manilow to prominence.[3]

He served as the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment from 2008 until his death in 2026.[4]

Early life and education
Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jewish parents,[5] Herman and Florence Davis. His father worked as an electrician and salesman.[6] Davis was raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn,[6] and attended Erasmus Hall High School.[7]

His mother died at age 47, and his father died the following year while Davis was still a teenager. He then moved in with his married sister, who lived in Bayside, Queens.[6]

Davis attended New York University College of Arts & Science, graduating[6] magna cum laude with a degree in political science[8] and Phi Beta Kappa in 1953. He received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School and graduated in 1956.[9] Davis practiced law in a small firm in New York,[10] then moved on to the firm of Rosenman, Colin, Kaye, Petschek, and Freund two years later, where partner Ralph Colin had CBS as a client.[11] Davis was subsequently hired by a former colleague at the firm, Harvey Schein, to become assistant counsel of CBS subsidiary Columbia Records at age 28, and then general counsel the following year.[12]

As part of a reorganization of Columbia Records Group, group president Goddard Lieberson appointed Davis as administrative vice president and general manager in 1965.[13] In 1966, CBS formed the Columbia-CBS Group which reorganized CBS's recorded music operations into CBS Records with Davis heading the new unit.[14]

The next year, Davis was appointed president and became interested in the newest generation of folk rock and rock and roll. One of his earliest pop signings was the British folk-rock musician Donovan, who enjoyed a string of successful hit singles and albums released in the U.S. on the Epic Records label. That same year, Davis hired 23-year-old recording artist Tony Orlando as general manager of Columbia publishing subsidiary April-Blackwood Music; Orlando went on to become vice-president of Columbia/CBS Music and signed Barry Manilow in 1969.[15]

In June 1967, Davis attended the Monterey Pop Festival after his friends and business associate, Lou Adler, convinced him.[16] He immediately signed Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Columbia went on to sign Laura Nyro; The Electric Flag; Santana; The Chambers Brothers; Bruce Springsteen; Chicago; Billy Joel; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Loggins and Messina; Aerosmith; and Pink Floyd (for rights to release their material outside of Europe).[17][18][19][20]

One of the most commercially successful recordings released during Davis's tenure at Columbia was Lynn Anderson's Rose Garden, in late 1970. It was Davis who insisted that "Rose Garden" be the country singer's next single release. The song crossed over and was a No. 1 hit in 16 countries worldwide. "Rose Garden" remained the biggest-selling album by a female country artist for 27 years.[21][22]

In 1972, Davis signed both Earth, Wind & Fire and Aerosmith to Columbia Records. In 1979 Aerosmith mentioned Davis in the song "No Surprize", in which Steven Tyler sings, "Old Clive Davis said he's surely gonna make us a star, I'm gonna make you a star, just the way you are."[23] Starting on December 30, 1978,[24] Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead occasionally changed the lyrics of the Dead standard "Jack Straw" in concert from "we used to play for silver, now we play for life", to "we used to play for acid, now we play for Clive."[25]

One of the last bands Davis tried to sign to Columbia Records was the Detroit band Death.[26]

Music

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 Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Mack 10 " hosted by DJButterrock
Mack 10 made his first appearance on Ice Cube's Bootlegs & B-Sides compilation on the track "What Can I Do? (Remix)".

His debut album Mack 10 was released in 1995 by Priority Records[2] and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album included the hit single, "Foe Life," which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200.[2] His next release Based On A True Story (1997) also reached Gold certification.

On October 6, 1998, Mack 10 released his third studio album, The Recipe. The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and went on to be certified Gold.

Rolison appeared with WC and Ice Cube in the 1996 all-star side project Westside Connection, and formed his own production company, Mack One-O,[2] which signed the acts Allfrumtha I and The Comrads. He also signed Glasses Malone to his Hoo-Bangin Records imprint through Cash Money Records.

His most recent album, 2009's Soft White was released by Hoo-Bangin' Records and Fontana Distribution. The first single was "Big Balla" featuring Birdman and Glasses Malone.

Feuds
Mack 10 was involved in several feuds. His critically acclaimed self-titled album included the song "Westside Slaughterhouse" featuring the rapper Ice Cube, which was a diss in response to the song "I Used to Love H.E.R." by Common. In 1996, as a member of the rap supergroup Westside Connection, he was featured in the song "King of the Hill" - a diss song directed at the rap group Cypress Hill.

Personal life
Rolison married Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, from R&B trio TLC during August 2000. In October 2000, their daughter, Chase Anela Rolison, was born.[3] They separated in 2004.[4]

Discography
Main article: Mack 10 discography
Studio albums

Mack 10 (1995)
Based on a True Story (1997)
The Recipe (1998)
The Paper Route (2000)
Bang or Ball (2001)
Ghetto, Gutter & Gangsta (2003)
Hustla's Handbook (2005)
Soft White (2009)
Collaborative albums

Bow Down (with Westside Connection) (1996)
Da Hood (with Da Hood) (2002)
Terrorist Threats (with Westside Connection) (2003)
Money Music (with Glasses Malone) (2010)

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