Baby Bash

Ronald Ray Bryant,[1] (born October 18, 1975) better known by his stage name Baby Bash (formerly Baby Beesh) is an American rapper and singer.[2] From 1995–98, he performed under the stage name Baby Beesh, as part of Dope House Records, after which he changed the last part of the name to "Bash."[3] His first album "Savage Dreams", was followed by On Tha Cool; and Tha Smokin' Nephew, which included the singles "Suga Suga" and "Shorty DooWop". In 2005, Super Saucy was released, its lead single being "Baby, I'm Back", a collaboration with singer Akon. Cyclone followed in 2007, with its title single featuring T-Pain and its follow-up, "What Is It" featuring Sean Kingston, landing on the Billboard charts as well.[4]

Baby Bash
Baby Bash attending the AVN Awards Show at the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada on January 9, 2010
Background information
Birth name	Ronald Ray Bryant
Also known as	Baby Beesh
Born	(1975-10-18) October 18, 1975 Vallejo, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, songwriter, actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Universal Dope House Bashtown Music Group Diamond Lane Music Group
Associated acts	South Park Mexican Paul Wall Lucky Luciano Frankie J Jay Tee
Website	bashtownmusic.com

He contributed to other performers' works, including the song "Obsession (No Es Amor)" by the 3rd Wish, released in Europe and later a U.S release with a re-recording of the European version, performed by Frankie J in 2005 and "Doing Too Much" by Paula DeAnda in 2006.

He has collaborated with numerous other artists during his career, such as West Coast rappers B-Legit, C-Bo, Coolio- Da'unda'dogg, E-40[5] and Mac Dre, R&B singers like Akon, Avant, Natalie, Bohemia, Mario, and Nate Dogg,[6] and other Latino rappers such as Fat Joe, Nino B, Doll-E Girl, South Park Mexican, Frost,[5] and Pitbull.[7] He continues to write lyrics for singers such as Paula DeAnda, Jennifer Hudson and Frankie J.[8]

Biography

Early life

Bryant was born in Vallejo, California, USA to a Mexican mother and an American father from Mendota, California. Bryant was raised by his grandmother, and Bryant's father and uncles exposed him to many different types of musical genres. Initially, Bryant wanted to be a professional basketball player.[3] He planned to play basketball for the junior college he attended in California during the mid-1990s. An ankle injury prevented Bryant from pursuing basketball as a career.

2001–2002: Savage Dreams and On tha Cool

Bryant's music career began as part of the group Potna Duece in Vallejo, California. He went to Houston in 1998, where he met fellow rapper South Park Mexican.[9] Prior to his success as a solo artist he, under the name "Baby Beesh", was part of rap groups Potna Deuce and Latino Velvet.[10]

Bash's debut album, Savage Dreams, was released on the independent label Dope House Records in 2001.[3] The album features guest performances by South Park Mexican, Frost, Jay Tee, Mr. Kee, Don Cisco and Merciless.

On tha Cool is his second studio album, released June 11, 2002, on Dope House Records. It was produced by Happy P and Johnny Z. The album features guest performances by SPM, Jay Tee, Russell Lee, Don Cisco, Mr. Shadow and DJ Kane.

2003–2005: Tha Smokin' Nephew, Ménage à Trois and Super Saucy

The acclaim he received caught the attention of Universal Records, who signed him later that year. In 2003, Baby Bash released his first album on a major label, Tha Smokin' Nephew. It debuted at number 48 on the Billboard 200. Five months after its release, the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. As of March 2005, the album has sold 531,000 copies in the United States. Ménage à Trois is an independent label album (fifth album overall) by Baby Bash.

In 2005, Bash released Super Saucy. Super Saucy is the first official studio album (sixth album overall) by Baby Bash released in March 2005. It spawned the hit single, "Baby I'm Back" (featuring Akon) which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also his last release on Universal Records before signing with Arista Records. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 with 48,000 copies sold in the first week released, becoming Baby Bash's highest charting album to date.

2006–2011: Cyclone and Bashtown

He was featured on Paula DeAnda's first single "Doin' Too Much," from her debut album Paula DeAnda. His third studio album, Cyclone (initially titled Ronnie Rey All Day),[11] was released in late October 2007. So far, Bryant has released three singles from the album: "Mamacita," featuring Marcos Hernandez, "Na Na", and "Cyclone," featuring Mickaël & T-Pain. During the month of the album's release, Baby Bash became Myspace's #1 Latin artist,[8] and the single "Cyclone" sold over 750,000 digital copies and ringtones prior to the album's release.[8]

Bryant completed a film entitled Primos, starring Chingo Bling and Danny Trejo. The comedy involves three cousins working in a bakery with dreams of making money and was released in 2010.[8] His major-label debut, Tha Smokin' Nephew, was well received by AllMusic,[12] but his 2007 album, Cyclone, was given mixed reviews, including a negative review by Rolling Stone magazine.[13]

Bashtown is the fourth studio album by Bryant. Released on March 22, 2011, it is the first album to be released on Upstairs Records. Bashtown features production from Jim Jonsin, Printz Board, Happy P, Mickaël, J. Lacy, and C-Ballin, and features vocal guests E-40, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, and Lloyd, among others. According to Bryant, the album was recorded in 2010.

In December 2010, Bryant was offered a job as an on-air personality for Wild 94.9, a Rhythmic Contemporary commercial radio station in San Francisco, California.[14] In the same month, Bryant announced that he would be endorsing a new energy drink for women named after his 2011 single "Go Girl."[14] Part of the sales proceeds from the energy drink will be donated to various charities for breast cancer- and ovarian cancer-research for women.[14]

2011–present: Unsung and arrest

Bryant was arrested with Paul Wall on the night of September 10, 2011, in El Paso, Texas, for possession of marijuana. Both rappers were released the same night on US$300 bail.[15]

Bryant has a son named Brando Rey.[16]

On December 17, 2013, Bryant released his eighth studio album, Unsung. The album features artists such as Too Short, Miguel, and Problem. Production credits of the album belong to DJ Rex, Happy Perez, Mickaël, J. Lacy, and C-Ballin.

Discography

Main article: Baby Bash discography

Studio albums

• Savage Dreams (2001)
• On Tha Cool (2002)
• Tha Smokin' Nephew (2003)
• Super Saucy (2005)
• Cyclone (2007)
• Bashtown (2011)
• Unsung (2013)
• Ronnie Rey All Day (2014)
• Don't Panic, It's Organic (2016)

Collaboration albums

• Welcome to Da Tilt with Potna Deuce (1994)
• Latino Velvet Project with Latino Velvet (1997)
• Velvet City with Latino Velvet (2000)
• Wanted with Lone Star Ridaz (2001)
• Velvetism with Jay Tee (2002)
• M.S.U. with Jay Tee (2012)
• Playamade Mexicanz with Lucky Luciano (2012)
• The Legalizers: Legalize or Die, Vol. 1 with Paul Wall (2016)
• Sangria with Frankie J (2017)

Films

• Pain (2010)[17][18]

References

1. ASCAP repertoire search for writer Ronald Bryant and performer Baby Bash
2. djvlad (31 July 2017). "Baby Bash on Being a Hispanic Rapper But Not Gang Related, Raised Around Blacks". YouTube.
3. Jeffries, David (2007). "Baby Bash – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
4. "Baby Bash – Billboard Singles". AllMusic. 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
5. Birchmeier, Jason. "Get" overview. AllMusic
6. "Baby Bash: Flyest Mexican Under the Radar". LatinRapper.com. 2005-04-08. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
7. Jeffries, David. "Super Saucy" overview. AllMusic: 2005.
8. "2nd Baby Bash Interview". LatinRapper.com. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
9. Guerra, Joey (2007-11-07). "He is what he is". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
10. Loftus, Johnny. "Baby Bash – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
11. Britney Spears Single Is Released; Plus Eve, 50 Cent, Owen Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West & More, In For The Record. MTV News: August 30, 2007.
12. Jeffries, David. "Tha Smokin' Nephew" overview. AllMusic
13. Hoard, Christian (November 1, 2007). "Album reviews – 'Cyclone'". Rolling Stone (1038). p. 84. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009.
14. "Our 3rd Baby Bash Interview". LatinRapper.com. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
15. "Paul Wall and Baby Bash Busted For Pot Charge". This Beat Goes. 2011-09-12. Archived from the original on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
16. "INTERVIEW W/ MUSIC ARTIST BABY BASH". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2019-03-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)