Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I, is
an American rapper from Long Beach, California. Crooked I is
currently CEO of his own record labels, Dynasty Entertainment
and C.O.B. Digital as well as Senior Vice President of Treacherous
Records. Before starting his own label, he was also signed
to Virgin Records and Death Row Records.
Around the age of seventeen, Crooked I started an independent record
company called Muscle Records with 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.
[edit] Death Row's Second Dynasty
While on Death Row, Crooked I appeared on a number of compilations,
such as Too Gangsta For Radio and Dysfunktional Family, and appeared
on various releases, such as Tha Dogg Pound's 2002, Ja Rule's The
Last Temptation, and 2Pac's Nu-Mixx Klazzics.[5] He also recorded
two albums, Untouchable and Say Hi To The Bad Guy, both of which
were unreleased due to various label issues and industry politics.
He did manage to release a mixtape along with Death Row's then in-house
producer, Darren Vegas, called Westcoasanostra Vol. 1 in the Spring
of 2003.[5]
[edit] The Start of a New Dynasty
By 2004, Crooked I's album had not been released, Suge Knight was
constantly in and out of jail, and Crooked I's contract had expired
by November 2003.[7][8] He left Death Row in early 2004 to start
his own label, Dynasty Entertainment.[8][9] It was not long after
that when Crooked I signed a distribution deal with Treacherous Records/Universal,[8]
but more legal trouble from Death Row surfaced, and Crooked I had
to stop production for his then titled album, Mama's Boy, which was
actually going to be the name of Crooked's second release under Death
Row Records. Later on the title of the album changed to Mama's Boy
Got a Loaded Gun.[8] In the meantime, Crooked I released the online
mixtape, Young Boss Vol. 1 through his official website. The mixtape
received critical acclaim throughout the underground Hip-Hop circuit,
garnering an impressive "XL" rating by the Hip-Hop publication,
XXL Magazine.[8]
After the legal matters settled, Crooked began recording again,
and prepping the release of his documentary Life After Death Row.[9]
He appeared on compilations such as Yukmouth's United Ghettos of
America Vol. 2, Sway & King Tech's Back 2 Basics, and on fellow
Treacherous Records label mate K. Young's debut album, Learn How
To Love.[7] In 2005, the name of Crooked's debut album changed to
Boss Music, and he created a buzz with the song, "Boom Boom
Clap" in the summer of 2005.[7] He also recorded two songs with
producer Scott Storch, "Cali Boyz" and "You're So
Bad".[7] In 2006, he released his heavily anticipated mixtape,
Young Boss Vol. 2 hosted by DJ Skee,[9] and his DVD, Life After Death
Row, followed later that Fall.[9]
[edit] Hip-Hop Weekly era
Crooked I started the Hip-Hop Weekly series via the internet.[10]
Every seven days he released a new track over various hip-hop beats
of old and new instrumentals. His ability to personally connect with
his fans through his Hip-Hop Weekly series is evident since he would
fulfill beat selection requests as well as give shout-outs over any
given track to fans who requested it via his MySpace page.[10] The
Hip-Hop Weekly series began on April 4, 2007 and ended on April 3,
2008.[2][10] Wickliffe generated so much of a buzz with the Hip-Hop
Weekly series that he was featured on the cover of the December/2007
issue of XXL (magazine) for a second time, this time as part of XXL's
Freshmen 10.[11]
Crooked I, along with DJ Felli Fel and DJ Nik Bean, released St.
Valentine's Day Bossacre on February 14, 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.[12]
Another mixtape and an EP was released in 2008 by Crooked I, The
Block Obama: Hood Politics[13] and Block Obama II.[14] The Block
Obama: Hood Politics 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.[13] Block Obama II was
released on the day of the 2008 Presidential election, originally
as a digital album for sale through iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody,
and other online retailers.[14] Physical CD's of Block Obama II were
later made, and sold through CDBaby. The EP also boasts guest appearances
from Dynasty Entertainment artists Horse Shoe G.A.N.G. and Sauce
The Boss, in addition to Knoc-turn'al and production by Jim Gettum,
Komplex, and Rick Rock.[14]
[edit] The Slaughterhouse era
Joe Budden reached out to Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz,
and Nino Bless for a track titled "Slaughterhouse" on his
digital release, Halfway House.[11] Based on the reception of the
track, they decided to form a super-group, minus Nino Bless, and
named it after this song.[11] They released numerous songs throughout
early 2009, building a buzz for their self-titled album, which was
released through E1 on August 11, 2009.[15] The album features production
from Alchemist, DJ Khalil, Mr. Porter, Streetrunner, and guest appearances
from Pharoahe Monch, K. Young, and The New Royales.[16]
On February 27, 2009 in Long Beach, California, Crooked I was allegedly
shot at during a conversation with a fan. The conflicting early media
reports on the incident in the following hours initially left people
worried and uncertain on his condition, but he has since confirmed
to MTV News and other media that he's alive and, while mentally distracted,
physically well. Crooked I has declined to further elaborate on the
incident, citing where he's from its against the code of the streets.[17]
On November 10, 2009, Crooked I released a digital-only solo EP,
Mr. Pig Face Weapon Waist.[18] “It’s a spin off of my
Slaughterhouse alter ego,” he said of the odd title, “cause
I come out on stage with a pig mask and a Dickie suit on.”[19]
The EP also boasts guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, K. Young, M.O.P.,
The Horseshoe G.A.N.G., and of course fellow Slaughterhouse members,
Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9".[18] In addition
to production from Komplex, Scram Jones, Streetrunner, Frequency,
and P. Silva.[18]
After briefly considering plans to release a full length Mr. Pig
Face Weapon Waist LP in January 2010, Crooked I revised his priorities
and announced Million Dollar Story, to be released in 2010. Production
for the album is to include contributions from DJ Khalil, The Alchemist,
and newcomer Quest. In addition, Crooked I stated his intentions
to get DJ Premier beats for the album.[20] As of August 2010, Crooked
I stated Million Dollar Story should be released in early 2011.[21]
It has now been confirmed the official release date for the album
will be March 22, 2011.[dated info][22]
The new owners of Death Row Records, WIDEawake Entertainment, released
a Crooked I album called Hood Star on June 15, 2010. It has 15 songs
Wickliffe recorded while signed to the label, with guest appearances
from Juvenile, Too Short, Kurupt, Danny Boy, Ray J, Sisqo, and others.[23]
On August 17, 2010, Crooked I released yet another EP, titled Planet
C.O.B. Vol. 1, which features production from Rick Rock, Komplex,
and more.[24]
On December 1, 2010, the first single for Crooked I's official debut
solo album, Million Dollar Story was released on iTunes titled "Villain",
which features Gracie Productions recording artist Sally Anthony.[25]
On January 12, 2011, after months of speculation, Slaughterhouse
officially signed to Shady Records, along with artist Yelawolf.[26]
On March 21, 2011, Crooked I released the Million Dollar Story EP,
available for purchase through iTunes, to tie fans over until the
album is released. It features two brand new songs and two previously
released tracks.[27]
[edit] Artists under C.O.B. Records
Crooked I [28]
The Horseshoe G.A.N.G. (Members: Demitrius Capone, Julius Luciano, Kenny Siegel,
and Andrew "Dice" Dinero) [28]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio Albums
2010: Hood Star[23]
[edit] Collaboration albums
2009: Slaughterhouse (with Slaughterhouse)
2011: Slaughterhouse EP (with Slaughterhouse)
[edit] EP's
2008: Block Obama II
2009: Mr. Pigface Weapon Waist
2010: Planet C.O.B. Vol. 1[24]
2011: Million Dollar Story EP
[edit] Selected Guest appearances
Year Song Artist(s) Album
1997 "Every Day (DJ Battlecat Remix)" MQ3 and Crooked I
Every Day 12"
1998 "Girl" Luniz and Crooked I Caught Up
1999 "Underground Tactics" Sway & King Tech feat. Crooked
I, Planet Asia & Heltah Skeltah This Or That
"
Step Up" Kurupt feat. Crooked I, Xzibit, and Daz Dillinger Tha
Streetz Iz a Mutha
2000 "Gangsta Rap" Crooked I, Treach, Kurupt & Scarface
Too Gangsta for Radio
"
Death Rizzo" Crooked I Too Gangsta for Radio
2001 "Gangsta Rap" Tha Dogg Pound and Crooked I 2002
2002 "Universal Quest" Left Eye feat. Crooked I N.I.N.A.
(unreleased)
"
Let Me Live" Left Eye feat. Crooked I N.I.N.A. (unreleased)
"
Connected" Ja Rule feat. Eastwood and Crooked I The Last Temptation
2004 "Kalifornia G'z" Yukmouth feat. Crooked I, E-40 & Nate
Da Nut United Ghettos of America Vol. 2
2005 "Watch What You Do" Sway & King Tech feat. Crooked
I Back 2 Basics
"
I Love the Ghetto" Sway & King Tech feat. Crooked I & Tracy
Lane Back 2 Basics
"
Hit the Deck" Sway & King Tech feat. Crooked I Back 2 Basics
2006 "It's Okay (One Blood) (West Coast Remix)" The Game
feat. Crooked I, E-40, Glasses Malone, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound,
WC It's Okay (One Blood) (Regional Remixes CDS)
2008 "Lick Shots" Immortal Technique feat. Chino XL and
Crooked I The 3rd World
"
Wake The Game Up" Yukmouth feat. Crooked I Million Dollar Mouthpiece
2009 "I'm a Gangsta" Yukmouth feat. Dyson. Ray J & Crooked
I The West Coast Don
"
That'z Juss Lyfe" Tha Realest feat. Crooked I & Val Young
Witness Tha Realest
"
Not What You Think" Smoothvega feat. Royce Da 5'9", Crooked
I & Sinful 3.10.85
"
One Hit Away" BQ feat. Crooked I and XL Middleton Travolta
"
Gun Harmonizing" Royce Da 5'9" feat. Crooked I Street Hop
"
From The Blood Pumper" DieNasty Records' Kalibur and Tank feat.
Crooked I The Live Sick Compilation
"
Sickology 101" Tech N9ne feat. Chino XL and Crooked I Sickology
101
"
Weapons" Rhyme Addicts feat. Crooked I Showtime
"
Everything" Chamillionaire feat. Crooked I Mixtape Messiah 6
2009 "Show N Prove" Undergods feat. Crooked I Canibus & Keith
Murray are the Undergods
2010 "Father Forgive Them" Mark Morrison feat. Beenie Man
and Crooked I I Am What I Am
"
These Skillz" Ben Reilly feat. Crooked I Section 8: Memiors
Of An Everyday Hustle
So Many Young Buck & D Eazy Unknown
"
Event Horizon" Rhyme Asylum feat. Crooked I Solitary Confinement
"
We Nah Play" Snowgoons feat. Banish, Crooked I & Beenie
Man Kraftwerk
"
Session One" Eminem feat. Slaughterhouse (Excluding Joe Budden)
Recovery
"
2.0 Boys" Eminem feat Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf none
[edit] Filmography
2004: Bank Brothers[29]
2005: Slumber Party[30]
2006: Life After Death Row