Atban Klann
A.T.B.A.N Klann (A Tribe Beyond a Nation) was a hip hop group whose members were Will 1X, apl.de.ap, Mooky Mook, and DJ Motiv8. The group worked with various artists on their album including Dante Santiago, Mr. Shaw, and Dandelion. The Atban Klann were signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. Will 1X (who later changed his stage name to will.i.am) and apl.de.ap were first signed by Eazy-E when they were in high school and would later become members of The Black Eyed Peas.[2]
A.T.B.A.N Klann | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | A Tribe Beyond a Nation Tribal Nation The A.T.B.A.N Klann |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative hip hop, jazz rap, experimental hip hop |
| Years active | 1992–1995[1] |
| Labels | Ruthless Records, Relativity Records |
| Associated acts | Eazy-E Blood of Abraham The Black Eyed Peas |
| Past members | Will 1X apl.de.ap Mookie Mook DJ Motiv8 Dante Santiago |
Biography
The group was signed to Ruthless Records in 1992 and made their debut on Eazy-E's EP, 5150: Home 4 tha Sick on the track entitled "Merry Muthaphuckkin' Xmas". Soon after, the group recorded their debut album, Grass Roots which was to be released on October 6, 1994; however, the album was shelved shortly before its release. The duo would stay with Ruthless until they were dropped from the label after Eazy-E's death in 1995.[3] Will 1X would change his name to will.i.am and the Atban Klann would add Taboo and later Fergie and become the Grammy award winning band, The Black Eyed Peas.[3]
Discography
Singles
- 1994: Puddles Of H2O
Studio album
| Grass Roots | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by Atban Klann | |
| Released | October 6, 1994 (planned but never released) |
| Recorded | 1992-1994 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Label | Ruthless, Relativity |
| Producer | DJ Motiv8, Will 1X, Madness 4 Real |
| Singles from Grass Roots | |
| |
Grass Roots was planned to be released on October 6, 1994 for Ruthless Records, distributed by Relativity Records and featured production from the mentor of Will 1X who is DJ Motiv8; however, the album was put on hold. Two years later, the group released the first single from the album, "Puddles of H2O", but the album was still not released. The songs from the album later leaked and a cover was made using a photo of apl.de.ap and will.i.am from the Bridging the Gap photo-shoot in 2000. This was the only album Atban Klann recorded under that name, as they were dropped from Ruthless in 1995. However, three years later the group, now known as Black Eyed Peas, would release Behind the Front.
Track listing
1 "Open Your Mind" 2 "Put On Your Adidas" 3 "Goin for a Ride" 4 "Mountain Top" 5 "La Borio Woman Beater" 6 "Lord of the Flies" 7 "No Sequel" 8 "Focus on You" 9 "Quid Pro Quo" 10 "World's Gone Mad" 11 "Strolling" 12 "Amazing, Isn't It" 13 "This Is Dedicated" 14 "Styles are Critical" 15 "Let Me Get Down" 16 "Puddles of H2O"
17 "Rain on Me"
Personnel
- A.T.B.A.N. Klann
- Will 1X - vocals
- apl.de.ap - vocals
- Mooky Mook - vocals
- DJ Motiv8 - turntables
- Featured Artists
- Dante Santiago - vocals
- Mr Shaw - vocals
- Dandillion - vocals
- Huck Finn - vocals
- Longevity - vocals
References
- Andy Kellman. "The Black Eyed Peas". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
- Feely, Peter (September 23, 2013). "Will.i.am – exclusive interview". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
Eazy E signed us [me and apl.de.ap] back when I was in high school. We were in a group called Atban Klann and Eazy E signed us to his record label Ruthless Records. Eazy was an inspiration and an instrumental part of the beginning of my career.
- Kellman, Andy. "The Black Eyed Peas". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 10 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2011.