Lost Boyz

Lost Boyz is a record label and hip hop group from South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, consisting of MC Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Kah, and K Chrys, currently signed to ONE RPM. The group originally consisted of Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah (deceased), Spigg Nice (incarcerated), and Pretty Lou.[1][2][3][4]

Lost Boyz
OriginSouth Jamaica, Queens, New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1993–1999, 2010–present
LabelsUptown, Universal, Lost Boyz Entertainment, ONE RPM
Associated actsSean Combs, Redman, A+
Websitelblostboyz.com
MembersMr. Cheeks
Freaky Kah
K Chrys
Past membersFreaky Tah
Spigg Nice
Pretty Lou

History

In 1995, the group released their debut single "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless", charting on the Billboard Hot 100. The release landed them a record deal with Uptown Records. They contributed a single to the Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood soundtrack, titled "Renee". The song became a major hit, breaking into the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart. The single also reached Gold status in 1996. On June 4, 1996, the group released their debut album Legal Drug Money. The work was highly acclaimed, and featured five Hot 100 hits, including their past singles "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless", "Renee", "Music Makes Me High", "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz", and "Get Up". The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in late 1996.

Their second album, Love, Peace & Nappiness, was released on June 17, 1997 through Uptown/Universal Records. It featured another Hot 100 single, "Me & My Crazy World". One of the most famous songs on the album was the posse cut "Beasts from the East", featuring A+, Redman, and Canibus. The album was not as acclaimed as their debut, but fared well commercially, reaching Gold status in late 1997.

In 1996, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD America Is Dying Slowly, alongside Wu-Tang Clan, Coolio, and Fat Joe, among others. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African-American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.

On the night of March 28, 1999, at a birthday party for Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah was shot in the head while exiting the Sheraton Hotel in Queens. Tah was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 4:20 am, aged 27. The getaway driver, Raheem Fletcher, was sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter. In 2001, Kelvin Jones pleaded guilty to the murder. The three remaining group members finished their third album, LB IV Life, released in September 1999. The effort fell short critically and commercially, failing to provide any Hot 100 hits, and failing to reach Gold status. These circumstances led Mr. Cheeks to begin a solo career. He released his first solo effort John P. Kelly in 2001, which featured the hit single "Lights, Camera, Action!". The album also featured a tribute song to Freaky Tah titled "Till We Meet Again", featuring Bob Marley's son Stephen. Cheeks released another album in 2003, titled Back Again!, then followed in 2004 with Ladies & Ghettomen. On January 16, 2004, Spigg Nice was tried and convicted of multiple bank robberies in New Jersey and was sentenced to 37 years in prison.[5] The group released a compilation album Lost Boyz Forever in 2005, featuring past hits and previously unreleased material.

In 2019, the Lost Boyz continued with the release of Next Generation which featured the single "Lost Boyz Anthem" that was later licensed by professional basketball team Cleveland Cavaliers.[6][7] This licensing deal later lead to a new record and distribution deal with ONE RPM. With the help of the label on April 2020, the Lost Boyz released their new EP Legacy during the coronavirus pandemic, which included original lead member Mr. Cheeks, executive producer K Chrys, and Freaky Kah, who is the son of late Freaky Tah. This project gained the interest of Nick Cannon who brought them on his TV show. As of 2020, all members of the Lost Boyz are doing their own solo and collective music.

Members

Current

Former
  • Freaky Tah (deceased)
  • Spigg Nice (incarcerated)
  • Pretty Lou

Discography
Main article: Lost Boyz discography

References
  1. Lost Boyz at Allmusic
  2. Lost Boyz discography at Hip Hop Weekly
  3. Reeves, Marcus. "The Lost Boyz: Finders, Keepers", Vibe, August 1996, p. 106
  4. Ex, Christian. "Lost & Found", Vibe, October 1997, p. 111
  5. http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=2798 Archived March 21, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "The Lost Boyz | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  7. "Press - Lost Boyz". lblostboyz.com.
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