Otis & Shug
Encyclopedia
Otis & Shug are an American singing duo from Oakland, California
, with two members: Otis Cooper and David "Shug" Cooper. After releasing two singles, "Keep it on the Real" and "Journey", in 1995 and 1996 respectively, they recorded their debut album on Interscope Records
, We Can Do Whatever
. The album would not see the light of day until ten years later. Meanwhile, the duo appeared on several Bay Area hip hop albums, including extensive work by Ant Banks: The Big Badass
, Big Thangs
, The Element of Surprise
, Derty Werk
, Hempin' Ain't Easy
and Lead the Way
.
who got to hear one of their demo tapes. At first Shug did some road management for Tony! Toni! Toné!
and loooked after their merchandise sales before the brothers were signed to Saadiq's label Pookie Records through Interscope
.
The year was 1995 and they released their first single "Keep it on the Real" and a follow up "Journey" in 1996. Problems arose when Interscope changed distribution and Pookie split with Interscope leaving the album We Can Do Whatever
unissued. The album was finally released on Expansion Records in 2005.
("Hope I don't Go Back") and Ant Banks
("Players Holiday").
He and his partner Shug had the distinction of being invited to perform at the 1st Annual Hip Hop Awards held at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City. His work has also been included in several soundtracks including the 1998 Woo
as well as the critically acclaimed Blue Hill Avenue.
The ultra smooth sound of the instant classic "Miss You" or the innocent joy of the well-known standard "Sunshine" will immediately engage every listener. An interpretation of Bob James's Theme from Taxi takes on a fresh sound with soulful lyrics in "Baby I Love You" and the hit "O Life" featuring Hip-Hop Mogul E-40 is a nostalgic commentary on the decline of community values. His commitment to family values is evident in the track "Marry U" which tells us as long as we keep God first in our lives, we can have it all. This mellow love song is destined to become the premier wedding song for years to come.
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, with two members: Otis Cooper and David "Shug" Cooper. After releasing two singles, "Keep it on the Real" and "Journey", in 1995 and 1996 respectively, they recorded their debut album on Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, We Can Do Whatever
We Can Do Whatever
We Can Do Whatever is the debut album by American singing duo Otis & Shug. Although it was scheduled to be released August 29, 1995 on Interscope Records, the album was shelved until it finally was released January 18, 2005, on Expansion Records. It was produced by Raphael Saadiq. One single,...
. The album would not see the light of day until ten years later. Meanwhile, the duo appeared on several Bay Area hip hop albums, including extensive work by Ant Banks: The Big Badass
The Big Badass
The Big Badass is the second studio album by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks.- Track listing :# "The Big Badass"# "2 Kill A G" # "Streets of Oakland"...
, Big Thangs
Big Thangs
Big Thangs is a compilation presented by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks. It was released July 8, 1997 on Priority Records. The album contains no tracks on which Ant Banks himself raps but instead is a compilation of tracks that Ant Banks produced and composed, performed by various West...
, The Element of Surprise
The Element of Surprise
The Element of Surprise is the fourth studio album by American rapper E-40, released August 11, 1998 on Jive and Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Bosko, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton & Tone Capone. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top...
, Derty Werk
Derty Werk
Derty Werk is the debut album by American rap supergroup, T.W.D.Y. It was released April 20, 1999 on Thump Records. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 135 on the Billboard 200. One single, "Players Holiday", peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Rap Songs and...
, Hempin' Ain't Easy
Hempin' Ain't Easy
Hempin' Ain't Easy is the third album by B-Legit. It was released on November 9, 1999 for Koch Records and Sick Wid It Records and featured production from B-Legit, Ant Banks, Daz Dillinger, Studio Ton, Tone Capone, Big Sin, Bosko, Mr. Payback, Sam Bostic and Keith Clark. Hempin' Ain't Easy peaked...
and Lead the Way
Lead the Way
Lead the Way is the second studio album by American rap supergroup, T.W.D.Y. It was released April 20, 1999 on Thump Records. It peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album was produced entirely by Ant Banks and Sonny B...
.
The Early Years
Otis & Shug are half brothers Otis Cooper and "Shugg" David from Oakland, California. They grew up in the same neighbourhood as Raphael SaadiqRaphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Saadiq has been a standard bearer for "old school" R&B since his early days as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! He also produced songs of such artists as TLC, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Mary J...
who got to hear one of their demo tapes. At first Shug did some road management for Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! is an American Soul/R&B group from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy...
and loooked after their merchandise sales before the brothers were signed to Saadiq's label Pookie Records through Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
.
The year was 1995 and they released their first single "Keep it on the Real" and a follow up "Journey" in 1996. Problems arose when Interscope changed distribution and Pookie split with Interscope leaving the album We Can Do Whatever
We Can Do Whatever
We Can Do Whatever is the debut album by American singing duo Otis & Shug. Although it was scheduled to be released August 29, 1995 on Interscope Records, the album was shelved until it finally was released January 18, 2005, on Expansion Records. It was produced by Raphael Saadiq. One single,...
unissued. The album was finally released on Expansion Records in 2005.
Solo Projects
Cooper's extensive experience as a vocalist and dexterity on keyboards keeps him in demand in the Bay Area music scene. He has lent his many talents to projects by such notable and diverse artists as Boz Scaggs, (Vocals on the Grammy Nominated Song "Come On Home") Tony! Toni! Toné!, E-40E-40
Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
("Hope I don't Go Back") and Ant Banks
Ant Banks
Anthony Banks, known simply as Ant Banks, is a producer and rapper from Oakland, California.-Biography:As a child he took part in a band at school and from there learned to play a variety of instruments along the way. At school he only learned Classical, but at home he taught himself to play Funk...
("Players Holiday").
He and his partner Shug had the distinction of being invited to perform at the 1st Annual Hip Hop Awards held at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City. His work has also been included in several soundtracks including the 1998 Woo
Woo (soundtrack)
Woo is the soundtrack to the 1998 comedy film, Woo. It was released on May 5, 1998 through Epic Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B music...
as well as the critically acclaimed Blue Hill Avenue.
The ultra smooth sound of the instant classic "Miss You" or the innocent joy of the well-known standard "Sunshine" will immediately engage every listener. An interpretation of Bob James's Theme from Taxi takes on a fresh sound with soulful lyrics in "Baby I Love You" and the hit "O Life" featuring Hip-Hop Mogul E-40 is a nostalgic commentary on the decline of community values. His commitment to family values is evident in the track "Marry U" which tells us as long as we keep God first in our lives, we can have it all. This mellow love song is destined to become the premier wedding song for years to come.
Guest appearances
- 1994: "The Drunken Fool" (from the Ant BanksAnt BanksAnthony Banks, known simply as Ant Banks, is a producer and rapper from Oakland, California.-Biography:As a child he took part in a band at school and from there learned to play a variety of instruments along the way. At school he only learned Classical, but at home he taught himself to play Funk...
album The Big BadassThe Big BadassThe Big Badass is the second studio album by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks.- Track listing :# "The Big Badass"# "2 Kill A G" # "Streets of Oakland"...
) - 1997: "Hard Knox", "4 tha Hustlas", "Time Is Tickin'" and "Make Money" (from the Ant BanksAnt BanksAnthony Banks, known simply as Ant Banks, is a producer and rapper from Oakland, California.-Biography:As a child he took part in a band at school and from there learned to play a variety of instruments along the way. At school he only learned Classical, but at home he taught himself to play Funk...
album Big ThangsBig ThangsBig Thangs is a compilation presented by American rapper and producer, Ant Banks. It was released July 8, 1997 on Priority Records. The album contains no tracks on which Ant Banks himself raps but instead is a compilation of tracks that Ant Banks produced and composed, performed by various West...
) - 1998: "360°" (from the Eightball8Ball & MJG8Ball & MJG is an American Rap and Crunk duo from Memphis, Tennessee. The two rappers met at in 1980.They first appeared on the rap scene with their 1992 underground album Listen To The Lyrics...
album LostLost (Eightball album)Lost is the debut solo album from rapper 8Ball. It is a double album. 8Ball had already released three albums as a part of the group 8Ball & MJG, but after 1995's On Top of the World the group decided to make solo albums before reuniting as a group...
) - 1998: "Every Day is tha Weekend" and "Get It Crackin'" (from the Celly CelCelly CelMarcellus McCarver, better know by his stage name Celly Cel, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California. He released his first single on his independent record label Realside Records in 1992 called "Lifestyle of a Mack." Celly Cel then debuted in 1994 with Heat 4 Yo Azz and released Killa Kali...
album The G FilezThe G FilezThe G Filez is the third album by Vallejo, California rapper, Celly Cel. The album was released in 1998 and was Celly Cel's last studio album for Jive Records. The album was not as successful as his previous album, Killa Kali, only making it to #53 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on the Top...
) - 1998: "Hope I Don't Go Back" and "Broccoli" (from the E-40E-40Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
album The Element of SurpriseThe Element of SurpriseThe Element of Surprise is the fourth studio album by American rapper E-40, released August 11, 1998 on Jive and Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Bosko, Mike Mosley, Rick Rock, Sam Bostic, Studio Ton & Tone Capone. It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top...
) - 1998: "I Know You Love Her" (from the Epic Records soundtrack WooWoo (soundtrack)Woo is the soundtrack to the 1998 comedy film, Woo. It was released on May 5, 1998 through Epic Records and consisted of hip hop and R&B music...
) - 1999: "Kaviealstars" (from the 3X Krazy album ImmortalizedImmortalized (3X Krazy album)Immortalized is the second album by 3X Krazy. It was released on June 22, 1999 for Big Block Records and featured production from Tone Capone, Big Deion, DJ Daryll, One Drop Scott and Immortalized is the second album by [[3X Krazy]]...
) - 1999: "Haters" and "You Me & He" (from The Delinquents album Bosses Will Be BossesBosses Will Be BossesBosses Will Be Bosses is the second studio album by American rap group The Delinquents, released September 7, 1999 on Dank or Die Records. It was produced by The Delinquents, Dot., Happy Perez, J-Cutt, Mike D, One Drop Scott and Twelve, and executive produced by G-Stack and V-Dal...
) - 1999: "Hood Ratz and Knuckleheads" (from the B-LegitB-LegitBrandt Jones, better known by his stage name B-Legit, is an American rapper from Vallejo, California.He is a member of The Click, a rap group formed by his cousin E-40. He was featured on the track "Aint Hard 2 Find" by 2Pac in All Eyez on Me. He has been on several independent labels such as...
album Hempin' Ain't EasyHempin' Ain't EasyHempin' Ain't Easy is the third album by B-Legit. It was released on November 9, 1999 for Koch Records and Sick Wid It Records and featured production from B-Legit, Ant Banks, Daz Dillinger, Studio Ton, Tone Capone, Big Sin, Bosko, Mr. Payback, Sam Bostic and Keith Clark. Hempin' Ain't Easy peaked...
) - 1999: "Out 2 Get Mo" and "Players Holiday" (from the T.W.D.Y. album Derty WerkDerty WerkDerty Werk is the debut album by American rap supergroup, T.W.D.Y. It was released April 20, 1999 on Thump Records. It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 135 on the Billboard 200. One single, "Players Holiday", peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Rap Songs and...
) - 1999: "Longevity" (from the Too Short album Can't Stay AwayCan't Stay AwayCan't Stay Away is the 11th studio album from Oakland rapper Too Short. The album received generally positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, certified Gold on August 13, 1999, only a month after its release. This is his first album since retiring in 1996...
) - 1999: "Seasoned" and "Earl That's Yo' Life" (from the E-40E-40Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
album The Blueprint of a Self-Made MillionaireCharlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self-Made MillionaireCharlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self-Made Millionaire is the fifth studio album by American rapper E-40, released November 9, 1999 on Jive and Sick Wid It Records. The album features production by Ant Banks, Bosko, Battlecat, Clint "Payback" Sands, Rick Rock and Studio Ton. It peaked at number 2...
) - 2000: "Blue Suits & Badges", "Never Sober", "In the Ghetto" and "Cali 4 Ni Yey" (from the T.W.D.Y. album Lead the WayLead the WayLead the Way is the second studio album by American rap supergroup, T.W.D.Y. It was released April 20, 1999 on Thump Records. It peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album was produced entirely by Ant Banks and Sonny B...
) - 2000: "Pop Ya Collar" (from the E-40E-40Earl Stevens , better known by his stage name E-40, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and investor from Vallejo, California. He is also part of the rap group The Click and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. His solo debut album, Federal, was released in November 1992, after The Click's debut...
album Loyalty and Betrayal)