Author Archives: Chef

#TBT: Trick Daddy – Shut Up (ft. Slip N’ Slide) [Video]

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DIRECTOR: Zodiac Fishgrease
PRODUCER(S): Black Mob Group
STREAM: via Spotify/Apple Music/Tidal

“We gon let the band deal with this…”

Trick Daddy, Liberty City’s finest and one of Florida’s phenoms. The year was 2000. After blessing the culture with a momentum shifting, battle of the sexes banger like “Nann Nigga”, Trick makes his Atlantic Records debut with “Shut Up”, bringing in Slip N’ Slide members and reprising Trina’s guest role, pushing her into the future spotlight. ‘Shut Up” was dubbed as the rowdiest club hit of that year. The lead single that helped push his third studio album, “Book of Thugs: AK Verse 47”, to sell over 500,000 copies domestically, certifying it gold.

A song intended for clubs and hood bars, yet he continued to elevate to national awareness when the track was featured as the lead single for the blockbuster film, Any Given Sunday, while still embodying the South Florida culture to the core. From the high energy marching bands, to the gold grills and donks. He shows the masses exactly what our environment, and inspired and influenced a lot of us jits during that time.

There’s even a brief cameo by The U’s, Edgerrin James during his star years.

If we all studied our rap history, then we should know that this kick off a monumental career for this man. Despite how the world portrays him, on CitrusRap and in Florida legends live forever. That damn sure goes for Trick Daddy Dollars.

#TBT: Robb Bank$ – Sensational (Video)

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DIRECTOR: Unkle Luc
EDITOR: A Jaded Ape
PRODUCER: Nuez

Let’s think back to four years ago, while an underground phenom and at the start of stardom with a cult like fan base, but with the resume to follow. Florida summers in 2016. Today’s youth were running wild, full of untapped potential. All nights were filled with what seemed like unlimited vices and Robb Bank$ was the soundtrack. A space for the unique hood baby, anime loving, vice lovers.

The Nuez produced banger, “Sensational”, along side with “Crunch Time Freestyle” that made up the first installment of his highly acclaimed mixtape series,  “Cloverfield”, is believed to be the spark that set his stone name permanently in the underground’s hall of fame.

A continuous onslaught of fluid motion in his rhymes. Wave like flows of sorts. Lyrics detailing his adventures with past lust interests and providing further proof that he is rap’s true Anime God.

Unkle Luc, now as prominent of a figure to rap culture as the man starring in this video. Always providing innovative effects and perfect visuals to a partner with the track. And with how things have been going for both Robb Bank$ and Unkle Luc, they will continue to change the frame of Florida’s culture and it’s wave of art.

#TBT: Grind Mode – I’m So High (Jook Video)

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PRODUCER: Gorilla Tek
YEAR: 2007

McKlezie, Chaos, and Hunger make up for one of South Florida’s most historic rap groups of the 2000’s. At the start of the jookin’ craze that took over the state, Grind Mode were one of the nationwide successes when they released their hit record “I’m So High”. This was the go to track when you wanted to jook, wig, or bop your stress away.

From doing all sorts of free shows and open mic performances, they built up a buzz in the Miami streets with their indie videos for “Oh No” and “Yayo”. But because of their subject matter they just couldn’t break through the radio waves. That was until 2007 when they racked up a solidified hit with “I’m So High” which was produced by Miami producer Gorilla Tek.

Starting in Miami with the hit going viral as the nation wanted to learn how to jook properly, this was usually the background music for the instructional videos.  Soon it made it’s way towards the northern regions of Florida and the remainder of the nation. Following a remix and co-sign by Rick Ross, the trio gained the attention of Universal Records, where they went on to sign a deal and release an official video for the single as “She’s So Fly.” Making the single even more suitable for radio play.

Although no prominent work has been achieved since the hit, Grind Mode has claimed the hearts of all Floridians. No matter the year or the time of the day, if this song plays, the atmosphere shifts and all worries roll off of our shoulders as we jook.

#TBT: Ice Billion Berg – Closer To My Dreams Freestyle (Video)

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Ice Billion Berg is no stranger to the spotlight. He’s been steadily making a name for himself, way before he was screaming “Fuck The Other Side” in 2008. While most artist who have been out for that long without a direct major label deal end up hitting a stand still, Ice Billion Berg is a part of a very exclusive class that seem to not only get better with time, but have kept a strong grip on their authenticity and fan base. Vino.

While on his push to South Florida legendary status, Ice Billion Berg delivered one of the most memorable renditions of Goapele’s “Closer To My Dreams”. Featured on his “International Billion” mixtape. The 19 year old, at the time, gave the state new found hope with this track. As it was played all throughout hoods as a hymn of motivation for everyone who was “on their way” to greater things in their lives. Since then, the Dade County powerhouse has released over 15 mixtapes and studio albums. And instead of signing to a label he has took the boss route and created his own recording and merchandising company, Live House Entertainment.

Today we bring you this video to remind those who forgot about why he’s the household name that he is right now and to bring this classic back to the light for those who didn’t have a chance to witness firsthand.

Make sure to check out his latest album I Never Lied. available on major streaming services such as Tidal, Apple Music & Spotify.

#TBT: Uncle Luke – I Wanna Rock

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PRODUCER: Kenneth “Devastator X” Terry
Album: I Got Shxt On My Mind (1992) | via iTunes

A performing legend and southern Rap pioneer, the man previously known as Luke Skyywalker has been bringing bass to the game for over three decades. His resilience is what helped him become one of the most prominent figures in not only Miami’s music history, but in the world. Going toe to toe with every region in rap music, George Lucas, and the Supreme Court.

After having a successful career as a concert promoter, Luther Campbell decided to take up audio edition and production classes. Combining his credibility, lifestyle, charisma and new found techniques to help produce some of raps most controversial and club praised joints with then California based rap group, 2 Live Crew. Ultimately being the star of the scene and catapulting them into success.

When 2 Live Crew’s most success album As Nasty As They Wanna Be was deemed legally obscene by the U.S. Supreme Court (the decision was later overturned), they released a response project called Banned In The U.S.A., with the blessings of Bruce Springsteen of course. The B-side, The Luke LP served as Luke’s first taste of the solo life and the inarguable album to covet the Parental Advisory sticker. Gaining continuous notoriety in all areas for it’s sexual nature and unchained lyrics that the fans expected from the performer.

After legal issued forced the group’s split from Luke Records, Luther prepped for his first official solo album I Got Shxt On My Mind, and the first single being “I Wanna Rock” (also know as Doo Doo Brown) and instant club cult classic. Crowd controlling, ass shaking filled, response styled track.

The single did just as he expected. And with another decade of records with similar style and following that was powered by the club scene in Miami, Uncle Luke continued his reign as the bass king, helping him remain a 100 million dollar man and the raunchiest man in music history. The black Hugh Heffner.

#TBT: DJ Khaled – I’m On One ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne (Video)

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YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Gil Green
PRODUCER: Noah “40” Shebib
ALBUM FEATURED ON: We The Best Forever | Purchase via iTunes
LATEST ALBUM: I Changed A Lot | Purchase via iTunes

This we celebrate the Florida Sultan, DJ Khaled, once again. This go around we revive the 2011 hit record that brought Khaled and Rick Ross‘  their first Grammy nod and truly solidified Khaled as the rap game’s premiere orchestrater, “I’m On One”. Also featuring the front runners, Drake and Lil Wayne, who were unsurprisingly still on a long stretch of chart domination during that time.  As usual, the We The Best head-honcho called upon Gil Green to provide the lavish visuals for this star studded event of a track, which premiered during the 2011 BET Awards. “I’m On One” was an immediate radio, club and overall smash record. Going on to sell over 1.8 million copies and gaining platinum certification and peaking to #10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. Billboard also ranked it at #17 on their list of 20 Best Songs of 2011. This single could clearly be the reason behind his follow up album, Suffering From Success, because after this he could literally do no wrong on the charts and on airwaves. So today we just want to show our thanks and gratitude for DJ Khaled and the hits like this that he brought to the world.

#TBT: Plies – Shawty (ft. T-Pain)

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DIRECTOR: Edwin Decena
PRODUCERS: Drumma Boy & Ensayne
ALBUM: The Real Testament (2007) | Purchase via The Real Testament

After a brief college football career, Plies unintentionally made a buzz in the music game after receiving great feedback on a track released on his older brother’s indie label, Big Gates Records. A short grind throughout Florida’s circuits led Plies to Miami, where eventually he signed to Slip-N-Slide Records in 2004.

Being best known for his street albums, his debut album was slated to release under new distributor Atlantic Records in 2007, as The Real Testament. To kick start the mayhem, Plies enlisted T-Pain, Drumma Boy, and Ensayne to assist on his major label single debut, “Shawty”. An instant hit in the underground and over the sound waves.

The single went on to sell over 500,000 copies, certifying it gold and charting at #9 on Billboard’s Hot 200. Plies’ name was being solidified nationally. His album was held with great criticism from the press and consumers. Selling 96,000 copies in it’s first week, landing at the #2 spot on the Billboard 200. A year later, it was certified gold.

2019, we’re still glued to our media outlets, waiting in excitement for what Plies has in store for the world next. From his outlandish Instagram videos to his street anthems and community events. This man knows how to keep his name and legacy alive.