The HBK Gang
The HBK Gang (abbreviation for the Heartbreak Gang)[1] is an American hip hop collective based in Richmond, California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehlani and rapper-producers Sage the Gemini, IsThatCJ, Rossi, Dave Steezy, Jay Ant, and Kool John. After contributing to various mixtapes, including Iamsu's Kilt II, in August of 2013 the group released their debut mixtape Gang Forever. HBK Gang Records is the name of an associated independent record label.
| The HBK Gang | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Heartbreak Gang |
| Origin | Bay Area, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | HBK Gang |
| Members |
|
| Past members | LoveRance |
History
Founding
HBK Gang is primarily composed of friends who met while attending high-school in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Pinole.[2] The collective was founded in 2008, while many involved were still in school. As of 2013, members include Iamsu!, Kool John, P-Lo, Sage the Gemini, Skipper (or $kip), CJ, singer Rossi, Dave Steezy and Jay Ant (or Jay Anthony).[3] Iamsu! first began to found and organize the group in 2011.[4]
Iamsu! was born Sudan Ahmeer Williams in Richmond, California, on November 17, 1989, and was an early fan of artists such as Kanye West, R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Marching Band, and reggae music.[5] He later worked as a rapper and producer with artists such as Jonn Hart and Wiz Khalifa,[6] and met P-Lo in 2005. P-Lo had been inspired by Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout to begin creating beats in his youth, and also produced for Wiz Khalifa "Bout Me" and Yo Gotti's single "Act Right" featuring Young Jeezy and YG, the latter of which peaked at #100 on the Billboard Hot 100. P-Lo joined Iamsu! in the production duo The Invasion shortly after their meeting, starting a trend of collaboration between future members.[7] Iamsu! also collaborated with Sage the Gemini on Sage's track "Gas Pedal" in March 2013, which peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it both artists' first top 40 hit.
Early releases
The Heartbreak Gang was performing and releasing music as early as 2011,[7] and in August 2011 performed at the debut release party for Tha Outfit's "Like My Bass" music video.[8] The group featured artists Dave Steezy and Mike Dash-E in their music,[3] releasing the track "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John in 2012. In January 2013 Iamsu! was a guest for Jonn Hart on Hart's "Who Booty" video.[4]
The crew contributed to all of Iamsu's mixtapes, including Kilt II in June 2013, with other guest appearances including Problem, Juvenile, Ty Dolla Sign, Terrace Martin, Tank, and Mistah F.A.B.[3]
Gang Forever (2013)
HBK Gang released their debut compilation mixtape[9] Gang Forever on August 12, 2013.[10] It includes 17 tracks featuring different members of the collective. Much of the album's production was handled by The Invasion (the production team of Iamsu!, P-Lo, Kuya Beats, Jay Ant, and Chief), with tracks also produced by Cardo, AKA Frank,[3] Kuya Beats, Sage the Gemini, and Jay Ant.[11]
Touring, music videos
The collective toured the western United States during September and August 2013, hitting locations such as Seattle, Spokane, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, and Reno, Nevada.[12] Titled the HBK Forever Tour, it featured Iamsu! as headliner and Kool John and Jay Ant as support.[12] Hip hop dancing is an important element of the live shows. According to Sage the Gemini, dancing is also a key aspect of the group's creative process.[9] The collective has released both tour videos[13] and a number of music videos for their songs, including "Go Crazy".[9]
Members
- Current
- Iamsu! – group founder, hip hop recording artist and producer from Richmond, California.[5]
- Skipper – rapper[1]
- Sage the Gemini – hyphy and hip hop recording artist from Fairfield, California, who released "Gas Pedal" in 2013.
- P-Lo – rapper/member of the production team The Invasion
- CJ – also goes by *HBK CJ and *IsThatCJ
- Jay Anthony – rapper/member of the production team The Invasion
- Kool John – rapper
- Rossi – vocals
- Azure – DJ/rapper
- Dave Steezy – rapper
- Kehlani – Singer
Record label
| HBK Gang Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder |
|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | |
| Location | Bay Area, California |
HBK Gang is also the name of a record label, which as of 2013 has released most of Iamsu's mixtapes and albums, including Su! The Right Thing (2010), Young California (2011), Kilt (2012), Stoopid (2012), and $uzy 6 $peed (2012). 2013 saw the release of his album Million Dollar Afro, which also featured Problem and was co-released on Problem's label Diamond Lane Music Group. Iamsu!'s Kilt II mixtape followed in 2013, while The HBK Gang's first mixtape Gang Forever was released in August 2013.[14] The label's first in-store release, was Iamsu!'s debut album Sincerely Yours, which was released on May 13, 2014.
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Su! The Right Thing | Iamsu! |
| 2011 | Young California | Iamsu! |
| 2011 | The Miseducation Of IAmSu | Iamsu! |
| 2011 | #IAmMostRachet | Jay Ant |
| 2012 | $uzy 6 $peed | Iamsu! |
| 2012 | WET | Skipper |
| 2012 | Stoopid | Iamsu! and Jay Ant |
| 2012 | Kilt | Iamsu! |
| 2012 | MBMGC | P-Lo |
| 2013 | Million Dollar Afro | Iamsu! and Problem |
| 2013 | CJ 2.0 | HBK CJ |
| 2013 | Blue Money | Mick Boogie Presents: Jay Ant |
| 2013 | Kilt 2 | Iamsu! |
| 2013 | Peace, Love and $hmoplife | Kool John |
| 2013 | ChillDrinkF*ckSmoke | Kool John |
| 2013 | Gang Forever | HBK Gang |
| 2013 | MBMGC 2 | P-Lo |
| 2014 | WET2 | Skipper |
| 2014 | Sincerely Yours | Iamsu! |
| 2014 | $hmop City | Kool John |
| 2014 | Remember Me | Sage the Gemini |
| 2015 | All Eyes On Me | Iamsu! |
| 2015 | Love and Peace | HBK CJ |
| 2015 | Moovie! | Kool John and P-Lo |
| 2015 | The Thrill | Skipper |
Discography
Singles
- 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John
- 2013: "STU Freestyle"
Mixtapes
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Gang Forever |
|
Music videos
- 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John – directed by Chris Simmons
- 2013: "STU Freestyle" – directed by tyCA
- 2013: "Go Crazy" – directed by Daghe
- 2013: "Losin" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2013: "Quit Cattin" – directed by David Camarena
- 2013:"Rep That Gang" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2013: "Father God" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2014 "Bad Boyz" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2014: "Cover Girl" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2015: "L" – directed by HBK GADGET
- 2015: "Interlude" – directed by HBK GADGET
See also
References
- ^ a b Smith, Trevor (August 12, 2013). "Gang Forever track listing". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ . NewDayMusicWorld. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b c d MVP (August 12, 2013). "HBK Gang – Gang Forever (Mixtape)". Free On Smash. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b LouieKnows (January 22, 2013). "IamSu discusses his HBK gang, the Bay, and more". BlkdMnds. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b "Iamsu! Interview Sphinx Chains, College, Yeezus". Complex. 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ^ Susman, Nathan (June 21, 2013). "Interview: Iamsu! Talks Sphinx Chains, College, & His Opinion of "Yeezus"". Complex Music. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b "P-Lo: About". Facebook (Official). Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ "Event: "like My Bass" video release party 8.19.11". Liquid Sacramento. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Chris (September 3, 2013). "HBK Gang – "Go Crazy" [VIDEO]". Hip Hop Wired. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ Diep, Eric (August 12, 2013). "Iamsu! & HBK Gang Releases New Mixtape, 'Gang Forever'". XXL Magazine. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ Louieknows (August 12, 2013). "HBK Gang – Gang Forever (Mixtape)". BlkdMnds. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b "Tour". Heart Break Gang. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ "HBK Gang – HBK Forever Tour Episode 6 (Video)". Thizzler. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
- ^ a b "Heart Break Gang: Record Label". Discogs. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
External links
- The HBK Gang on YouTube
- The HBK Gang on SoundCloud)