The Pack was a hip hop group formed in Berkeley, California in 2004, composed of rappers Lil B (Brandon McCartney), Young L (Lloyd Omadhebo), Stunnaman (Keith Jenkins), and Lil Uno (Damonte Johnson). They recorded in tandem for over a year at Young L's home studio, during which they released their first two mixtapes: Wolfpack Muzik Vol. 1 (2005)[1] and Wolfpack Muzik Vol. 2 (2006).[2][3]
The Pack | |
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| Origin | Berkeley, California, U.S. |
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The group first saw recognition on MySpace with their 2006 single, "Vans". The song moderately entered the Billboard Hot 100 and was discovered by fellow California-based hip hop act Too Short, who signed the Pack to his record label Up All Nite Records, an imprint of Jive Records. "Vans" preceded the release their debut extended play (EP), Skateboards 2 Scrapers (2006) in December of that year. The EP was followed by their debut studio album, Based Boys (2007), which failed to enter mainstream music charts. They signed with SMC Recordings to release their second album, Wolfpack Party (2010), which also failed to chart and served as their final project before disbanding.
The group was known for their "skateboard raps", and the sexually explicit content of many of their songs. Its de facto lead member, Lil B has since garnered a cult following for his solo work.[4]
Members
edit- Lil B (Brandon Christopher McCartney) - rapper, record producer
- Young L (Lloyd Tomobor Enibu Omadhebo) - rapper, record producer
- Stunnaman (Keith Jenkins) - rapper
- Lil Uno (Damonte Johnson) - rapper
Music career
editSkateboards 2 Scrapers EP and Based Boys (2006–2008)
editSoon after, the Pack created 2006's sneaker anthem "Vans" and released it via their Myspace page. The song was heard by veteran Oakland rapper Too Short, who then signed them to his Up All Nite Records imprint via Jive Records. It was also listed at No. 5 on Rolling Stone's "Best songs of 2006".[5] The music video for "Vans" aired on BET, but MTV, and MTV Jams, refused to show the video because it promoted a consumer product. However, MTV aired an edited version of the video, in which the word "Vans" was censored throughout the song.[6] The Pack released a seven track EP in 2006 entitled Skateboards 2 Scrapers, which also included "Vans" and the single "I'm Shinin'".[7] In 2007, the Pack put out their debut album Based Boys, which included the single "In My Car".[8] In early 2008, it was announced that the Pack was dropped from Jive Records/Zomba Label Group due to the album's lackluster sales. The Pack signed with Los Angeles-based Indie Pop which is home to other artists such as the Cataracs, Dev, and Bobby Brackins. In November 2010, Lil B and Young L were featured on the cover of the publication The FADER, in its 71st issue.[9]
Wolfpack Party (2009–2010)
editThe Pack began recording again throughout 2009. They released the mixtape The Pack Is Back in December 2009, their first set of material in a year.[10] Their second studio album, Wolfpack Party, was released on August 24, 2010[11] and includes the title track which was produced by the Cataracs and released as a single.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Heat | US R&B | US Ind | |||||||||||
| Based Boys | 14 | 57 | 46 | ||||||||||
| Wolfpack Party |
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13 | 65 | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
Mixtapes
edit- 2005: Wolfpack Muzik Vol. 1
- 2006: Wolfpack Muzik Vol. 2
- 2008: Wolfpack Musik Vol. 3: Screamin' Demons
- 2009: The Pack is Back
Extended plays
edit- 2006: Skateboards 2 Scrapers
- 2010: Sex on the Beach
Singles
edit- 2006: "Vans" (Skateboards 2 Scrapers and Based Boys) - U.S. #58
- 2006: "I'm Shinin'" (Skateboards 2 Scrapers and Based Boys)
- 2007: "In My Car" (Based Boys)
- 2010: "Wolfpack Party 2010" (Wolfpack Party)
- 2010: "Sex on the Beach" (Wolfpack Party)
- 2010: "Dance Fl00r" (Wolfpack Party)
- 2018: "Clips Go"
References
edit- ^ "Wolfpack Muzik, Vol. 1 by The Pack (Album, West Coast Hip Hop): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list – Rate Your Music". rateyourmusic.com.
- ^ "Wolfpack Muzik Vol. 2 by The Pack". MTV Artists. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Artist". Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
- ^ https://www.thefader.com/2018/03/19/the-pack-why-u-wanna-do-that-video-premiere/amp
- ^ Best songs of 2006, Rolling Stone, retrieved on 2008-10-12
- ^ "The Pack's "Vans" Banned From MTV". Music Filter. 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Amazon.com: Pack: Skateboards 2 Scrapers: Music". amazon.com. 2006.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Pack: Based Boys: Music". amazon.com. 2007.
- ^ FADER, The (November 30, 2010). "World Premiere! The FADER Issue #71: Lykke Li, Lil B & Young L + Odd Future". The FADER. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ The Pack Is Back mixtape Archived June 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Wolfpack Party album[permanent dead link]
