All the while working on music, each member continued to record steadily releasing various solo studio albums.Ī collaborative album with the Wu-Tang Clan was released in 2012 titled Wu Block, bringing together two historic groups on an album. We made it so they don't have to be scared to speak up." Hiatus and resurgence (2001–present) ĭuring the years that followed, the group contemplated signing to other labels as a collective. "It might take years from now, but other people are gonna do it. "We really changed the game by doing that," says Styles concerning the contractual drama. At a New York rap concert, the trio sported "Let The LOX Go" T-shirts and sparked a grass roots movement to "Free The Lox." Pressure resultant from the campaign ultimately caused Bad Boy and Puff Daddy to release the trio from their contract. However, the lawyers and conference calls did not work. The Lox tried all of the legal maneuvering available to be released from their contract with Bad Boy. The identities clashed - "We just needed to be with a rougher label," said Sheek Louch. Bad Boy was known for its radio friendly dance hits and high priced videos, while the Lox were quickly establishing themselves as hardcore rap artists. The Ruff Ryders had always served as The Lox's managers and the group felt like the new label could better represent the hard-core sensibilities which they expressed in their rhymes. In the summer of 1999, the trio found themselves disappointed with the direction of Bad Boy, and the trio wanted to be released from their contract in order to join Ruff Ryders. The group's debut album Money, Power & Respect, went Platinum by the RIAA. to Live", Mariah Carey's " Honey", and Jennifer Lopez's " Jenny from the Block". The trio later appeared on a multitude of hits, Mase's " 24 Hrs. The Lox gained national exposure in 1997 with an onside collaboration on Sean "Puffy" Combs' single " It's All About the Benjamins", shortly after gaining additional exposure with their multi-platinum tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. After signing with Bad Boy, the Lox started gaining a bigger buzz off the strength of their first single "Well, Well, Well" featuring Kasino, which appeared on DJ Clue's 1996 mixtape Show Me the Money. At the behest of Combs, the Warlox later changed their name to the L.O.X. After acquiring the demo tape that the group made with Jaz-O, Blige passed it on to Bad Boy CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs who signed them to a deal. One of their admirers was the "Queen of hip hop soul," fellow Yonkers native Mary J. The group eventually changed their name to the Warlox and continued developing a fan base by appearing on underground mixtapes.Īt some point, the trio connected with Jaz-O, and had a demo tape produced by him. While the local rap scene was being dominated by artists like Raw Rome, Lord Devon and a young DMX, the group began to gain attention for their lyrical style and ability to present tales of urban life. In 1994, they appeared on Main Source's "Set It Off" from the album Fuck What You Think. As high school students, they formed a group called the Bomb Squad and began performing at local shows and producing their own demos. Jason " Jadakiss" Phillips, David " Styles P" Styles, and Sean " Sheek Louch" Jacobs, began their musical careers in their hometown of Yonkers, New York. History Formation and career beginnings (1994–1996) 1.3 Hiatus and resurgence (2001–present).
1.1 Formation and career beginnings (1994–1996).