Mr. Cheeks - Biography

Biography

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). 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.

When Mr.Cheeks made his road manager Ray "Mello" Moore his Partner and full time manager they 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 Michael 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".

His uncle is the late poet Gil-Scott Heron who wrote and performed musical knowledge about inner-city life in the U.S.A. Heron is considered to be a forefather, if not "the" Father of Rap music and Hip-Hop culture.