Da Lench Mob was an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, associated with Ice Cube.[2] The group consisted of rappers Shorty, T-Bone, J-Dee, Del, Woody, Yo Yo, Sir Jinx, K-Dee, Kam, Maulkie, and Ice Cube. Their Islamic religious and social politically inspired-lyrics garnered much attention.

Da Lench Mob
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1990–1995[1]
Labels
Past members

History

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The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. At that time, the name referred to all of the performers on the album (including Ice Cube), rather than the distinct group it would become. At first the name was also spelled "The" rather than "Da" on the album sleeve.[3]

With Ice Cube as its executive producer, Da Lench Mob released its debut album, Guerillas in tha Mist, in 1992.[2] At this time the group consisted of J-Dee, Shorty, and T-Bone, who were also pictured on the album cover. The video for the album's lead single, also titled "Guerillas in tha Mist", became popular in the fall of 1992. The 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas featured "Guerillas in tha Mist", appearing on the fictional radio station Radio Los Santos.

J-Dee was arrested and charged with murder in 1993.[4] Instead of disbanding, the group brought in South Central Los Angeles-based rapper Maulkie (former member of the Ruthless Records group Yomo & Maulkie) for its second album Planet of da Apes, released in 1994.[2] They broke up soon afterwards due to a rift over money and other differences.[5][failed verification]

 
A ticket from a 1993 Lench Mob concert in Omaha, Nebraska.

J-Dee was sentenced to 29 years in prison, less three years for time served, in 1995.[4] Shorty released a compilation album entitled “Short Stories” in 2001 but died on June 16, 2019.[6] J-Dee was released on parole in 2021, after serving 25 years.[7] He started releasing new music thereafter under the name J-Dee Lench Mob.

Discography

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Albums

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Year Title Chart positions Certifications
Billboard 200[8] Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[9]
1992 Guerillas in tha Mist 24 4
1994 Planet of da Apes 81 14

Singles

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Year Title Chart positions Album
Hot Rap Songs[11] UK Singles Chart[12]
1992 "Guerillas in tha Mist" (with Ice Cube) Guerillas in tha Mist
1993 "Freedom Got an A.K." (with Ice Cube) 7 51
"Ain't Got No Class" (with B-Real)
1994 "Chocolate City" Planet of da Apes
"Goin' Bananas / Cut Throats"

References

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  1. ^ a b "Da Lench Mob". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  2. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 336. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  3. ^ "AmeriKKKa's MOST WANTED". Internet Archive. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b Respers, Lisa (1995-02-04). "Rap Singer Sentenced to 29 Years : Courts: Dasean Cooper of Da Lench Mob could serve a life term for 1993 slaying of girlfriend's roommate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  5. ^ "Da Lench Mob". Discogs. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
  6. ^ "Celebrating the life of Jerome 'Brother Shorty' Muhammad". www.finalcall.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  7. ^ "Former Ice Cube Lench Mob Artist J-Dee Released Following 25-Year Prison Bid". 23 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Da Lench Mob". Billboard 200. Retrieved December 1, 2017.[dead link]
  9. ^ "Da Lench Mob Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved December 1, 2017.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  11. ^ "Da Lench Mob Chart History". Hot Rap Songs. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  12. ^ "DA LENCH MOB | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2017.