Tha Alkaholiks
Encyclopedia
Tha Alkaholiks, also known as Tha Liks, was an American
hip hop
group from Los Angeles
, California
. Since the early 1990s they have produced funky, upbeat, hedonism
-themed party music with a hardcore hip hop
edge, powered by the beats of DJ and producer E-Swift (born Eric Brooks in Cincinnati, Ohio
, USA) and the lively, comedic rhymes of J-Ro
(born James Robinson in Los Angeles) and Tash
(born Rico Smith in Cincinnati). Though commercial crossover success largely eluded the group, they maintained a dedicated following on their native West Coast, throughout the United States and worldwide.
since the age of 13, and E-Swift and Tash (short for "Ca-TAS[H]-trophe) already had an established partnership (E-Swift the DJ, Tash the rapper) for local gigs and house parties; after E-Swift and Tash moved to Los Angeles, they met LA native J-Ro and formed a group. The three friends took the name Alkaholiks on the suggestion of West Coast
veteran King Tee
, who for some time had been looking for a back-up band to mentor. Tha Alkaholiks first achieved recognition after appearing on Tee's Tha Triflin Album, and most importantly its successful single "I Got It Bad Y'All". Support slots on tour with KRS-One
, Ice Cube
, and Too Short followed, which helped them develop their skills as well as a fanbase. Their debut album 21 & Over
released in 1993 (see 1993 in music
) was a lean 10-track set that spawned the singles "Make Room", "Only When I'm Drunk" and "Likwit", as well as establishing them as one of the most distinctive artists on the West Coast at a time when the vast majority of Californian artists were subscribing to the G-funk
gangsta rap
sound popularized by Dr. Dre
. 21 And Over remains highly regarded by critics such as Allmusic's Nathan Rabin, who calls it "perhaps the quintessential West Coast party album". []
in 1995 (see 1995 in music
) saw them attempting to develop their sound further while staying to their fun-loving roots, working with A Tribe Called Quest
's Q-Tip
and expanding their lyrical outlook with tracks such as "21 And Under" which warned of the dangers of underage and irresponsible drinking. Likwidation
followed in 1997 (see 1997 in music
), and Tash's debut solo album Rap Life was released in 1999 (see 1999 in music
), both to mixed reviews. During this time they also formed the Likwit Crew, a close association of artists including Xzibit
, Defari
, King Tee
and Lootpack
.
The early 21st century saw a slight increase in Tha Alkaholiks' profile due to the sudden Dr. Dre-powered rise to fame of the Likwit Crew's Xzibit
(whose platinum
album Restless
they appeared on in 2001), and they sought to take advantage of this with 2001's X.O. Experience
which saw them working with hit-making producers of the time like The Neptunes
and Rockwilder
. They also changed their official name from Tha Alkaholiks to the shortened Tha Liks, the reason being that many mainstream radio stations refused to play tracks by a group called Tha Alkaholiks. A DVD XO - The Movie Experience was also released just after the album. Though the album sold reasonably well, it was not as much as expected.
Records, would be their last. A farewell live tour was also announced. The split was amicable, and the group will continue to work with one another on their forthcoming solo projects (J-Ro
has released his debut solo album and a follow up ("818 Antics" and "Rare Earth B-Boy Funk Vol.II"), Tash released his second ("Control Freek"), and E-Swift is due to release a collaborative album with Lootpack producer Madlib
). Tash stated it was time to "bow out gracefully and exit on top" while J-Ro
claimed "it only makes sense for us to move forward and find new challenges. It's an exciting time for all three of us."
However, in a recent interview, Tash said that the group may record a new album after all because all three members are on good terms and are willing to record again. Though it is not an unbeatable obstacle, the fact that J-Ro now lives in Sweden does complicate matters.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop
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...
group from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Since the early 1990s they have produced funky, upbeat, hedonism
Hedonism
Hedonism is a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure .-Etymology:The name derives from the Greek word for "delight" ....
-themed party music with a hardcore hip hop
Hardcore hip hop
Hardcore hip hop, also referred to as hardcore rap, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that developed through the East Coast hip hop scene in the 1980s. Pioneered by such artists as Schoolly D, Spoonie Gee, Boogie Down Productions, and Kool G Rap, it is generally characterized by anger, aggression and...
edge, powered by the beats of DJ and producer E-Swift (born Eric Brooks in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, USA) and the lively, comedic rhymes of J-Ro
J-Ro
James Robinson, known by his stage name J-Ro is a hip-hop performer and former member of Tha Alkaholiks. He is also a regular guest/contributor of Combat Radio - Discography :818 Antics*Mix-CD*Released: May 5, 2006...
(born James Robinson in Los Angeles) and Tash
Tash (rapper)
Rico Smith, better known by his stage name Tash, is an American rapper. He is most known for his work as a member of West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks alongside J-Ro and E-Swift. He has released two solo albums, Rap Life and Control Freek, and has worked on five albums with Tha Alkaholiks...
(born Rico Smith in Cincinnati). Though commercial crossover success largely eluded the group, they maintained a dedicated following on their native West Coast, throughout the United States and worldwide.
Early years
J-Ro had been rappingRapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
since the age of 13, and E-Swift and Tash (short for "Ca-TAS[H]-trophe) already had an established partnership (E-Swift the DJ, Tash the rapper) for local gigs and house parties; after E-Swift and Tash moved to Los Angeles, they met LA native J-Ro and formed a group. The three friends took the name Alkaholiks on the suggestion of West Coast
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
veteran King Tee
King Tee
Roger McBride, mostly known as King Tee , is an American West coast rapper from Compton, California.-Career:...
, who for some time had been looking for a back-up band to mentor. Tha Alkaholiks first achieved recognition after appearing on Tee's Tha Triflin Album, and most importantly its successful single "I Got It Bad Y'All". Support slots on tour with KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, and Too Short followed, which helped them develop their skills as well as a fanbase. Their debut album 21 & Over
21 & Over
21 & Over is the debut album by West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks. It is highly praised, and has been described as "the quintessential West Coast party album." It has ten tracks, timed at only about 35 minutes, but it contains three singles, "Make Room," "Likwit" and "Mary Jane." None of...
released in 1993 (see 1993 in music
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
) was a lean 10-track set that spawned the singles "Make Room", "Only When I'm Drunk" and "Likwit", as well as establishing them as one of the most distinctive artists on the West Coast at a time when the vast majority of Californian artists were subscribing to the G-funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
sound popularized by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. 21 And Over remains highly regarded by critics such as Allmusic's Nathan Rabin, who calls it "perhaps the quintessential West Coast party album". []
Career
The group's follow-up album Coast II CoastCoast II Coast
Coast II Coast is the second album of hip hop trio The Alkaholiks released in 1995. It features guest rapping from Xzibit, Diamond D, King Tee, Lootpack, Q-Tip, Declaime and The Baby Bubbas. It features production from Tha Alkoholiks themselves, E-Swift, Madlib and Diamond D.-Track listing:-Album...
in 1995 (see 1995 in music
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
) saw them attempting to develop their sound further while staying to their fun-loving roots, working with A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
's Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
and expanding their lyrical outlook with tracks such as "21 And Under" which warned of the dangers of underage and irresponsible drinking. Likwidation
Likwidation
Likwidation is the third album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released in 1997 on Loud Records. The album features a large amount of guest appearances, including Nas, Lootpack, Keith Murray, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ol' Dirty Bastard and King Tee. The album's lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies",...
followed in 1997 (see 1997 in music
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
), and Tash's debut solo album Rap Life was released in 1999 (see 1999 in music
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
), both to mixed reviews. During this time they also formed the Likwit Crew, a close association of artists including Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Defari
Defari
D.A. Johnson Jr., also known as Defari, is a West Coast hip hop artist. Primarily, he is a solo artist, additionally he is a member of the Likwit Junkies, a rap duo with DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples. He was born at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of...
, King Tee
King Tee
Roger McBride, mostly known as King Tee , is an American West coast rapper from Compton, California.-Career:...
and Lootpack
Lootpack
Lootpack were an American hip hop group signed to Stones Throw Records with members Madlib, Wildchild, and DJ Romes. They made their first appearance on the 1993 debut album by Tha Alkaholiks, 21 & Over....
.
The early 21st century saw a slight increase in Tha Alkaholiks' profile due to the sudden Dr. Dre-powered rise to fame of the Likwit Crew's Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
(whose platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
album Restless
Restless (Xzibit album)
-Track listing:-Album singles:-Album chart positions:-Singles chart positions:...
they appeared on in 2001), and they sought to take advantage of this with 2001's X.O. Experience
X.O. Experience
X.O. Experience is the fourth album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released under their nickname Tha Liks. Released four years after their third album Likwidation, X.O. Experience was not as acclaimed as their past work, and received moderate sales. The cover is an homage to that of...
which saw them working with hit-making producers of the time like The Neptunes
The Neptunes
The Neptunes are a record production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, who are credited with contributing the sound for many successful hip hop, R&B and pop artists in the late-1990s and 2000s...
and Rockwilder
Rockwilder
Rockwilder is an American hip hop and R&B record producer, rapper, and R&B Singer. A long term friend of Def Jam rapper Redman, Rockwilder got his start producing for East Coast Hip Hop artists in the mid 1990s. In 1999 Rockwilder produced Method Man & Redman's hit single "Da Rockwilder"...
. They also changed their official name from Tha Alkaholiks to the shortened Tha Liks, the reason being that many mainstream radio stations refused to play tracks by a group called Tha Alkaholiks. A DVD XO - The Movie Experience was also released just after the album. Though the album sold reasonably well, it was not as much as expected.
Breakup
The group took a break of three years, during which time they feuded with Xzibit, who they felt had abandoned them and the rest of the Likwit Crew in his rise to superstardom and forgotten the support King Tee and the Alkaholiks had given to him in the early stages of his career. Then, it was announced in August 2004 that their final album Firewater, due to be released in 2006 on WaxploitationWaxploitation
Waxploitation was founded in 1996 by Jeff Antebi, who is still the company's creative director.Primarily a record label and artist management company, Waxploitation is best known for developing the careers of Grammy Award winning artists including Gnarls Barkley, Danger Mouse and the Grammy...
Records, would be their last. A farewell live tour was also announced. The split was amicable, and the group will continue to work with one another on their forthcoming solo projects (J-Ro
J-Ro
James Robinson, known by his stage name J-Ro is a hip-hop performer and former member of Tha Alkaholiks. He is also a regular guest/contributor of Combat Radio - Discography :818 Antics*Mix-CD*Released: May 5, 2006...
has released his debut solo album and a follow up ("818 Antics" and "Rare Earth B-Boy Funk Vol.II"), Tash released his second ("Control Freek"), and E-Swift is due to release a collaborative album with Lootpack producer Madlib
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
). Tash stated it was time to "bow out gracefully and exit on top" while J-Ro
J-Ro
James Robinson, known by his stage name J-Ro is a hip-hop performer and former member of Tha Alkaholiks. He is also a regular guest/contributor of Combat Radio - Discography :818 Antics*Mix-CD*Released: May 5, 2006...
claimed "it only makes sense for us to move forward and find new challenges. It's an exciting time for all three of us."
However, in a recent interview, Tash said that the group may record a new album after all because all three members are on good terms and are willing to record again. Though it is not an unbeatable obstacle, the fact that J-Ro now lives in Sweden does complicate matters.
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
| 21 & Over 21 & Over 21 & Over is the debut album by West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks. It is highly praised, and has been described as "the quintessential West Coast party album." It has ten tracks, timed at only about 35 minutes, but it contains three singles, "Make Room," "Likwit" and "Mary Jane." None of...
|
| Coast II Coast Coast II Coast Coast II Coast is the second album of hip hop trio The Alkaholiks released in 1995. It features guest rapping from Xzibit, Diamond D, King Tee, Lootpack, Q-Tip, Declaime and The Baby Bubbas. It features production from Tha Alkoholiks themselves, E-Swift, Madlib and Diamond D.-Track listing:-Album... |
| Likwidation Likwidation Likwidation is the third album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released in 1997 on Loud Records. The album features a large amount of guest appearances, including Nas, Lootpack, Keith Murray, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ol' Dirty Bastard and King Tee. The album's lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies",... |
| X.O. Experience X.O. Experience X.O. Experience is the fourth album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released under their nickname Tha Liks. Released four years after their third album Likwidation, X.O. Experience was not as acclaimed as their past work, and received moderate sales. The cover is an homage to that of... |
| Firewater
|
Singles
| Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
UK Singles UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Make Room" | - | 85 | 8 | - | 21 & Over 21 & Over 21 & Over is the debut album by West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks. It is highly praised, and has been described as "the quintessential West Coast party album." It has ten tracks, timed at only about 35 minutes, but it contains three singles, "Make Room," "Likwit" and "Mary Jane." None of... |
| 1994 | "Likwit" | - | 97 | 31 | - | 21 & Over 21 & Over 21 & Over is the debut album by West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks. It is highly praised, and has been described as "the quintessential West Coast party album." It has ten tracks, timed at only about 35 minutes, but it contains three singles, "Make Room," "Likwit" and "Mary Jane." None of... |
| 1995 | "Daam" | - | 85 | 20 | - | Coast II Coast Coast II Coast Coast II Coast is the second album of hip hop trio The Alkaholiks released in 1995. It features guest rapping from Xzibit, Diamond D, King Tee, Lootpack, Q-Tip, Declaime and The Baby Bubbas. It features production from Tha Alkoholiks themselves, E-Swift, Madlib and Diamond D.-Track listing:-Album... |
| 1995 | "The Next Level" | - | - | 43 | - | Coast II Coast Coast II Coast Coast II Coast is the second album of hip hop trio The Alkaholiks released in 1995. It features guest rapping from Xzibit, Diamond D, King Tee, Lootpack, Q-Tip, Declaime and The Baby Bubbas. It features production from Tha Alkoholiks themselves, E-Swift, Madlib and Diamond D.-Track listing:-Album... |
| 1997 | "Hip-Hop Drunkies" | 66 | 37 | 6 | - | Likwidation Likwidation Likwidation is the third album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released in 1997 on Loud Records. The album features a large amount of guest appearances, including Nas, Lootpack, Keith Murray, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ol' Dirty Bastard and King Tee. The album's lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies",... |
| 1997 | "Likwidation" | - | 89 | 8 | - | Likwidation Likwidation Likwidation is the third album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released in 1997 on Loud Records. The album features a large amount of guest appearances, including Nas, Lootpack, Keith Murray, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ol' Dirty Bastard and King Tee. The album's lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies",... |
| 2001 | "Best U Can" | - | 64 | 14 | - | X.O. Experience X.O. Experience X.O. Experience is the fourth album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released under their nickname Tha Liks. Released four years after their third album Likwidation, X.O. Experience was not as acclaimed as their past work, and received moderate sales. The cover is an homage to that of... |