Around the age of seventeen, Crooked I started an independent record company called Muscle Records with two professional football players, also from Long Beach, Chucky Miller and Leonard Russell. It's not known how many songs were recorded, and the music recorded during this period still remains unreleased to this day. This is when he caught the attention of Noo Trybe/Virgin Records, and landed his first record deal in 1995.[3]
Crooked I originally got his start appearing on compilations released by Big C-Style's record label, 19th Street Records, such as 19th Street LBC Compilation and Straight Outta Cali. He also appeared on the soundtracks to movies such as Ride and Caught Up, where he collaborated with Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Eastsidaz, and The Luniz. At the time, Crooked I was still signed under Noo Trybe/Virgin Records, who handled distribution for 19th Street Records. Business was going good, but for unknown reasons, Virgin Records decided to get rid of their urban division, otherwise known as Noo Trybe, and Crooked I was out of a record deal.[3]
Wickliffe was later contacted by Big C-Style and Daz Dillinger to form DPG Records, which was originally going to be a sub-label under Death Row Records at the time. Crooked was going to be 20% owner of the label, and the first act released as well.[4] Daz left Death Row Records to run DPG Records independently, but rather than go with Daz, Crooked was trying to figure out his options.
Crooked I also had talks of signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, but Dre wanted to release Chronic 2001 and Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP before releasing Crooked.[5] He also had talks with other major record labels who wanted to sign him, but they too were waiting for Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 album to be released before they would consider signing another West Coast MC.[6] It was around this time that Crooked I re-negotiated the original deal he had with DPG Records/Death Row Records as a solo artist deal with just Death Row Records.
Crooked I originally got his start appearing on compilations released by Big C-Style's record label, 19th Street Records, such as 19th Street LBC Compilation and Straight Outta Cali. He also appeared on the soundtracks to movies such as Ride and Caught Up, where he collaborated with Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Eastsidaz, and The Luniz. At the time, Crooked I was still signed under Noo Trybe/Virgin Records, who handled distribution for 19th Street Records. Business was going good, but for unknown reasons, Virgin Records decided to get rid of their urban division, otherwise known as Noo Trybe, and Crooked I was out of a record deal.[3]
Wickliffe was later contacted by Big C-Style and Daz Dillinger to form DPG Records, which was originally going to be a sub-label under Death Row Records at the time. Crooked was going to be 20% owner of the label, and the first act released as well.[4] Daz left Death Row Records to run DPG Records independently, but rather than go with Daz, Crooked was trying to figure out his options.
Crooked I also had talks of signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, but Dre wanted to release Chronic 2001 and Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP before releasing Crooked.[5] He also had talks with other major record labels who wanted to sign him, but they too were waiting for Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 album to be released before they would consider signing another West Coast MC.[6] It was around this time that Crooked I re-negotiated the original deal he had with DPG Records/Death Row Records as a solo artist deal with just Death Row Records.
Crooked I, along with DJ Felli Fel and DJ Nik Bean, released St. Valentine's Day Bossacre on February 14th, 2008. Although it's called a mixtape, it consists of all new tracks by Crooked I, much like Young Boss Vol. 2, and boasts guest appearances by Royce Da 5'9", and Roscoe Umali, with production from DJ Felli Fel, Rick Rock, Komplex, and MG. The February 2008 issue of Ozone West reviewed St. Valentine's Day Bossacre and rated it 4 slaps out of 5.[22]
Two more mixtapes were released in 2008 by Crooked I, The Block Obama: Hood Politics[23] and Block Obama II[24]. The Block Obama was originally going to be hosted by DJ Whoo Kid and DJ Strong, but ended up being released un-tagged without a DJ, and for free download on the internet[25]. Block Obama II was released on the day of the 2008 Presidential election, this time for sale on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and other online retailers[26]. Block Obama II also boasts guest appearances from Dynasty Entertainment artists Horseshoe G.A.N.G. and Sauce The Boss, in addition to Knoc-turn'al and production by Jim Gettum, Komplex, and Rick Rock[27].
Crooked I's debut album, B.O.S.S. (Beginning of Something Serious) is intended for release sometime in 2009, but no release date is set. The album was originally intended to be released in stores, but Crooked later announced the album will be a free internet download.[28]
Recently, Crooked I teamed up with MC's Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden and formed a group under the name Slaughterhouse.
Two more mixtapes were released in 2008 by Crooked I, The Block Obama: Hood Politics[23] and Block Obama II[24]. The Block Obama was originally going to be hosted by DJ Whoo Kid and DJ Strong, but ended up being released un-tagged without a DJ, and for free download on the internet[25]. Block Obama II was released on the day of the 2008 Presidential election, this time for sale on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and other online retailers[26]. Block Obama II also boasts guest appearances from Dynasty Entertainment artists Horseshoe G.A.N.G. and Sauce The Boss, in addition to Knoc-turn'al and production by Jim Gettum, Komplex, and Rick Rock[27].
Crooked I's debut album, B.O.S.S. (Beginning of Something Serious) is intended for release sometime in 2009, but no release date is set. The album was originally intended to be released in stores, but Crooked later announced the album will be a free internet download.[28]
Recently, Crooked I teamed up with MC's Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden and formed a group under the name Slaughterhouse.
Download Crooked I: The Death Row Collection Here
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