Mr. Cheeks (born Terrance Kelly on March 28, 1971) is a Grammy Award
winning rapper best known for his work with the musical group Lost
Boyz, and his career as a solo artist.
Mr. Cheeks, along with band mates Freaky Tah (1971–1999),
Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou made up The Lost Boyz. The Lost Boyz practiced
a sincere, literate, non-sensational style of New York hip-hop and
produced a number of singles including; "Lifestyles of the Rich
and Shameless" (1994), "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" (1995)
and "Renee" (1996)[1]. Lost Boyz gained worldwide critical
acclaim following the release of the albums; Legal Drug Money in
1996, Love, Peace & Nappiness in 1997, and LB IV Life in 1999.
In March 1999, Lost Boyz member, Freaky Tah, was murdered while
leaving Mr. Cheeks' birthday party in Queens, N.Y. After Tah's death
the Lost Boyz effectively broke up, and Mr. Cheeks remained quiet.
Cheeks resurfaced in late 2001, as a solo artist. His debut solo
album, John P. Kelly, (Universal Records) named for both his cousin
and his grandfather, featured the hit single "Lights, Camera,
Action!". The album also included a collaboration with longtime
friend and business partner, Stephen Marley, (son of legendary reggae
artist Bob Marley) featuring the ballad "Till We Meet Again" (recorded
in Freaky Tah's memory) and the reggae-flavored "Mama Say”.
In 2003, Mr. Cheeks released the follow-up album, Back Again!. The
single off the album was "Crush On You" and it featured
Mario Winans.
In the fall of 2003, Cheeks separated from Universal, forming his
own label, Diane’s Boyz. On June 8, 2004, Mr. Cheeks released
the album Ladies and Ghettomen, his 3rd solo LP in as many years.
Mr. Cheeks and Stephen Marley also created a record label, One Fam
Music.
He was featured on Lil Kim's single, The Jump Off. He also made
a feature, rapping the hook, on Lakey The Kid's single Q.U. Side
in 2006. Other features include Minneapolis rapper Kooke's two singles
in 2004, "Holla Back" (Feat. RL from NEXT) and "New
Money" (Referenced in his newest single "What We Do")
Mr. Cheeks was scheduled to have another CD released in April 2006,
even offering the first single ("What We do") for free
on his website, however, the CD was never released and his website
was taken down shortly after.
He recently collaborated with new r&b crooner Ryan Young debut
single Sweet Luv and also released a "Diss track" aimed
at 50 Cent called "In 50 Cent's Dreams", where he brings
up the accusation of 50 being a snitch. He also mentioned the topic
in his feature on Minneapolis rapper Kooke's song "Holla Back" stating, "50
fell in deep, 3 pieces on...".
He's also on a track entitled "Iron Bars" with Stephen
Marley on the album "Mind Control".
The music world began to embrace Mr. Cheeks again in February 2010
with the release of a couple of tracks he recorded with the Hip Hop
group known as The SWATZ Brothas -"My Crew is Tight" and "Fantasy
Time".
The same year the Lost Boyz reunited, and released a single called "Haaay".
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
John P. Kelly (2001) Uptown/Universal
Back Again! (2003) Uptown/Universal
Ladies And Ghettomen (2004) Legal Drug Money/Contango
,,{[What WE Do}] Single (2006) Modelrok Inc/ PPM Records
[edit] Solo singles
2001: "Lights, Camera, Action!"
2004: "Kooke - New Money (Feat. Mr. Cheeks) available on itunes"
2004: "Kooke - Holla Back (Feat. RL & Mr. Cheeks) available on itunes"
[edit] Lost Boyz Albums
Diamond Dust (1994) Progressive
Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz [EP] (1995) Uptown
Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless [single] (1995) Uptown
Renee [CD single](1996) PolyGram
Legal Drug Money (1996) Uptown/Universal
Love, Peace & Nappiness (1997) Uptown/Universal
Me and My Crazy World (1997) Uptown/Universal
LB IV Life (1999) Uptown/Universal
Forever (2005) Contango Records/Legal Drug Mon