Big Shug
Encyclopedia
Big Shug is a hip hop
artist from Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of the Gang Starr Foundation
collective.
area (known locally as "Murdapan"). Growing up, he forged a friendship with future Gang Starr
MC, Guru. The two were separated when Shug was imprisoned and Guru moved to New York
, forming Gang Starr with DJ Premier
. On his release, Shug again hooked up with Guru, joined the Gang Starr Foundation, and contributed to each of Gang Starr's albums, beginning with Hard to Earn in 1994 (on "F.A.L.A."). He also appeared on DJ Krush's "Meiso" in 1995 as well as "The Militia" from 1998's Moment of Truth, and contributed to Guru's "Jazzmatazz" albums. During the 1990s, Shug recorded a few 12-inch singles produced by DJ Premier for Payday and Chrysalis
, but his first proper solo album, Who's Hard was not released until 2005 and half of the songs were handled by DJ Premier. He signed to New York's Babygrande
in 2007, and released his second album, Streetchamp. The album was produced by MoSS
and DJ Premier and features guest appearances from DJ Premier and Sean Price
. A third solo album, Otherside of the Game, was released in November 2008, and features DJ Premier, Bumpy Knuckles, Billy Danze of M.O.P.
, Termanology
, Blaq Poet
, and Singapore Kane. He performed at the 2009 Boston hemp fest. He is featured on the single "Tap Out", which appears on M-Dot & DJ Jean Maron's 2010 album Run MPC. In 2010 he also collaborated with (artist) Aztech and (producer) Reel Drama on their album Hybrid Genetics. In 2010 he collaborated with west coast hip hop artist Spinz on a song called "Round Tha World" that was recorded while touring Europe.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist from Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of the Gang Starr Foundation
Gang Starr Foundation
Gang Starr Foundation is a collective of east coast rappers led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was founded by The Vikar and established in 1993.-Current members:*Afu-Ra*Big Shug*Freddie Foxxx*Vic BlackGang Starr...
collective.
Biography
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Gary spent much of his early life in Boston's MattapanMattapan, Massachusetts
Mattapan is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Historically a section of neighboring Dorchester, Mattapan became a part of Boston when Dorchester was annexed in 1870. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 36,480...
area (known locally as "Murdapan"). Growing up, he forged a friendship with future Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
MC, Guru. The two were separated when Shug was imprisoned and Guru moved to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, forming Gang Starr with DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
. On his release, Shug again hooked up with Guru, joined the Gang Starr Foundation, and contributed to each of Gang Starr's albums, beginning with Hard to Earn in 1994 (on "F.A.L.A."). He also appeared on DJ Krush's "Meiso" in 1995 as well as "The Militia" from 1998's Moment of Truth, and contributed to Guru's "Jazzmatazz" albums. During the 1990s, Shug recorded a few 12-inch singles produced by DJ Premier for Payday and Chrysalis
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
, but his first proper solo album, Who's Hard was not released until 2005 and half of the songs were handled by DJ Premier. He signed to New York's Babygrande
Babygrande Records
Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:...
in 2007, and released his second album, Streetchamp. The album was produced by MoSS
MoSS
Jason Connoy, better known as MoSS, is a Canadian hip-hop producer from Toronto, Ontario.Rapper Obie Trice recently released Special Reserve, a collection of previously unreleased and rare tracks produced by MoSS. He is also co-credited on Eternia's 2010 album At Last, an album which was named as a...
and DJ Premier and features guest appearances from DJ Premier and Sean Price
Sean Price
Sean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable...
. A third solo album, Otherside of the Game, was released in November 2008, and features DJ Premier, Bumpy Knuckles, Billy Danze of M.O.P.
M.O.P.
M.O.P., short for Mash Out Posse, is an American hip hop duo. The duo, composed of Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, is known for the aggressive delivery typically employed by both emcees. Although they maintain a strong underground following, they are mainly known for the song "Ante Up," released on...
, Termanology
Termanology
Daniel Carrillo , better known as Termanology is a rapper from Lawrence, Massachusetts. He first came to wide attention with the 2006 single "Watch How It Go Down". A solo album, Politics As Usual, was released in 2008...
, Blaq Poet
Blaq Poet
Wilbur Bass , better known as Blaq Poet is an American rapper from Queensbridge, New York, USA.Blaq Poet was first heard in the track "Beat You Down" from the Bridge Wars during 1987, a diss song towards KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions. At that time Poet was at least 17 years old, as stated in...
, and Singapore Kane. He performed at the 2009 Boston hemp fest. He is featured on the single "Tap Out", which appears on M-Dot & DJ Jean Maron's 2010 album Run MPC. In 2010 he also collaborated with (artist) Aztech and (producer) Reel Drama on their album Hybrid Genetics. In 2010 he collaborated with west coast hip hop artist Spinz on a song called "Round Tha World" that was recorded while touring Europe.
Discography
- Never Say Die: The Pre-Album (2005)
- Who's Hard? (2005)
- Street Champ (2007)
- Otherside of the Game (2008)
- I.M.4EVA (Invincible Music 4 Eva) (2010)
External links
- Hernandez, Pedro (2007) "Big Shug :: Street Champ :: Babygrande Records", RapReviews
- "Big Shug Interview", DJBooth.net
- "Big Shug Interview", Riotsound.com
- Kordich, Jason (2007) "The Street Champ Speaks: An interview with Big Shug", Jive Magazine