NEW YORK (Diane's Boys Record announcement/Chris Barrett) - There aren't many rappers who can lay claim to a ten-year hip-hop career. That is unless they are Mr. Cheeks.
From the first time the world heard the gritty, soulful lead vocals on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless" in 1994, the industry embraced the Lost Boys' new sound as one that was serious yet playful; sincere, as well as festive. When "Renee" dropped, no one could deny the impact the Lost Boys was leaving on hip-hop, especially Uptown/Universal, who admired the group's creative versatility, quickly signing them.
And in the hot summer of 1995, LB released their chart-topping debut Legal Drug Money with Mr. Cheeks' charisma and rasped, staccato flow putting Queens back on the map.
While Mr. Cheeks and the Lost Boys followed up two years later with their sophomore cut Love Peace and Nappiness, the title of the LP as well as the group's lighthearted vibe were ignored as they ironically became victims of violence. Shattered by the loss of Freaky Tah, Mr. Cheeks gave The Lost Boys one more album, LB IV Life in 1999, before launching his solo career. "There wasn't nothing else left after Talik passed away," Cheeks reflects. "We had always planned to make music together.
So when he died I didn't know what I was going to do, but music is my trade and it's a blessing to be blessed with a gift like that. So I wanted to continue that for the Lost Boys." And he did.
Still repping Queens in his baggy jeans and cap, Cheeks was now a veteran in the game with three albums under his belt and a solo career waiting to take off. While "Lights, Camera, Action!" became an instant club favorite and reestablished Cheeks as one the pioneers of party music (way before Lil Jon), it didn't prepare fans for the personal and thought-provoking honesty of his 2001 solo debut, John P. Kelly. With production by Stephen Marley, Bink! and Easy Moe Dee and collaborations with Horace Brown and Goodie Mob's Big Gipp, this record set Cheeks' new artistic bar when it came to flow, content and stability.
Stopping just to catch to his breath, before getting back in the game, the Lost Boys' lead man was back at it again in 2003, with his sorely under-rated sophomore effort Back Again! Continuing in the same honest vein as his solo debut, Cheeks pulls no punches, miraculously balancing a commercial vibe with personal confessions and revelations about life.
Even though Back Again! featured Floetry, Bad Boy's Mario Winans, MOP and the legendary Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Cheeks' discontent with his long-standing relationship with Universal Records and the mishandling of his art brewed to a boiling point toward the end of the year. "I left September 2003 because I wasn't feeling at home there. Making music is my job, but I didn't feel they were giving me the promotional attention I needed," Cheeks reflects thoughtfully. Nevertheless, he says, "I still got love for them.
Harrell gave us our first shot but now I'm doing the independent thing." And it's all good. In fact, this Lost Boy drops his third LP, Ladies and Ghettomen off his own label Diane's Boys, which is partnered with The Commission.
Stinking up the CD with funk, bass and a little controversy, Cheeks' artistic progression resonates with the same beat as his personal growth. Pushing the creative envelope a little further than before, the ladies-centered "I'll Make It Up To You" is reminiscent of a more mature "Renee"while "4 Walls" is a hard-hitting, bass-heavy track about those who have doubted him. Out doing himself again, Mr. Cheeks reminds us why he's Queens' reigning King with the smoldering, G'd-up "On Fire."
"I went through people doubting me but I stayed focus," Cheeks remembers. "I even went and found Alexander O'Neal and put out a record with him called 'Sunshine.' I've had lot of ideas but Universal never gave me that chance."
Now that nothing is holding him back and his creativity speaks for itself, Cheeks opted not to cloud his latest effort with endless industry appearances, but decided to bring his camp on. "There aren't many special invited guests but its really powerful album."
If you asked Cheeks today how he feels about his work and where he's at creatively, expect a smile and all sincerity to follow.
"After 9/11, I had been doing some thinking. This new album is emotional. I'm not down with Universal any longer and everybody knows what I do, I party a lot.But there are certain things I want people to hear. Real life things that happen everyday in my life. With this album I'm feeling good."
So while it's been a long road for Mr. Cheeks and he's prevailed every step of the way, it's his dedication to his music and his family that leave many stuck with tongue in cheek.
