Sean Price

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sean Price


Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias = Ruckus, Ruck, Sparsky, Tawl Sean, M.A.S.T.E.R. P, P Body, The Irrational, The Inflixsta
Born = March 12, 1972
Died =
Origin = Brooklyn, New York
Genre = Hip Hop
Years_active = 1993 to present
Label = Duck Down
Associated_acts = Boot Camp Clik, Heltah Skeltah, Buckshot, Smif-n-Wessun, O.G.C.
URL =

Sean Price (b. March 17, 1972) is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, a member of the Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He is currently considered to be one of the most prolific and consistent MCs in New York underground hip hop.

Recording history

Ruck, as a member of Heltah Skeltah, and the trio O.G.C., collectively known as The Fab 5, signed a deal with Buckshot's Duck Down Records in 1994. Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. teamed with Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun to form the supergroup Boot Camp Clik, who would become an influential and popular crew in underground hip hop through the mid-to-late 90s. Price, under the name Ruck, made his public debut in 1995 on Smif-n-Wessun's acclaimed album "Dah Shinin'". The Fab 5 released their debut single, "Blah" b/w "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka", in late 1995. "Leflaur" became a surprise hit in 1996, peaking at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That year, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. split for separate releases. Ruck and Rock debuted first in June, with the release of their debut album "Nocturnal". The album included "Leflah", as well as the memorable but not lucrative singles "Operation Lock Down" and "Therapy". The duo's notable chemistry, charismatic delivery, and grimy production was popular with underground fans, and the album has reached classic status in the underground Hip Hop community. The album was able to sell around 250,000 copies, and earned the duo a nomination for Best New Group by "The Source" magazine in 1996.

In 1997, Ruck and the entire Boot Camp Clik released their first group album, "For the People". The group abandoned their grimy, sample-heavy production for the first time, replaced by live-instrumentation. The new sound lead to mediocre reviews and disappointing sales, eventually leading to the Clik's decline in popularity. Heltah Skeltah returned in 1998 with their second album, "Magnum Force". The album, like "For the People", was met with unspectacular reviews and mediocre sales, despite the inclusion of the duo's second Hot 100 hit, "I Ain't Havin' That". After a stream of similarly disappointing releases, Priority Records dropped Duck Down from their distribution deal. Heltah Skeltah split when Rock decided to pursue a solo career. With no record deal, Price fell back into the street life, dealing and abusing drugs [http://duckdown.com/magz/SeanP_Source2007/spsource3.jpg] . Returning in 2001 under his birth name, Price released a popular underground single with "Don't Say Shit to Ruck". The Clik, minus Rock, returned in 2002 with a new record deal, and released their second group album, "The Chosen Few". 2004 saw the release of a mixtape titled "Donkey Sean Jr.", featuring a several of the rapper's past singles and tracks, as well as newly recorded material. The mixtape sold relatively well for an unofficial release from an independent artists, and demonstrated considerable growth in terms of style and content for an MC not previously considered to be a vital solo artist.

Price's long-delayed solo debut, "Monkey Barz", was released in mid 2005, the first release in Duck Down's "Triple Threat Campaign", which also featured album's from the Clik's high-profile stars Buckshot and Smif-N-Wessun. Self-proclaimed as "the brokest rapper you know", Price's new humorous, self-deprecating persona earned him a new independent following, and made "Monkey Barz" the most acclaimed of the Triple Threat releases. He has since become one of the most popular independent Hip Hop artists in the country, making numerous guest appearances, and receiving attention from many Hip Hop magazines and news outlets. Also in 2006 the Clik, featuring a reunited Heltah Skeltah, released their third group album, "The Last Stand", to good reviews. Price's critically acclaimed second album, "Jesus Price Supastar", was released on January 30 2007. "Jesus Price" broke onto the "Billboard" 200 chart, and peaked at #3 on the Heatseekers chart. The majority of the album was produced by 9th Wonder and Khrysis, and featured guest spots from a number of Boot Camp and Justus League members, Sadat X and his protege Rustee Juxx. Price is currently recording with Rock for the third Heltah Skeltah album, titled "D.I.R.T." (Da Incredible Rap Team), and will also be working on a collaboration with Detroit producer Black Milk and Guilty Simpson, as well as a third solo album, tentatively titled "Mic Tyson" [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5130/title.hhdx-news-bits-sean-price-black-milk-heltah-skeltah-stones-throw] .

Continuing his prodigous output, Sean Price also released a well received mixtape, "Master P" in 2007, featuring many members of the BCC as well as other artists like Earatik Statik, Casual, Shabaam Sahdeeq, and UG. Playing off the reference in the title, the cover art for the mixtape featured a parody of the traditional Pen & Pixel artwork made famous by No Limit Records release.

Recently, Price was featured on a show called "The Breakdown" on ItsHipHop.tv where he discussed his work, his past family life and the realness of his lyrics amongst other things. [ [http://www.itshiphop.tv/shows/thebreakdown/2/12 ItsHipHop.tv Video Interview] ]

Also, Price's song, "Church" featured in the 2007 video game "". It's also mentioned in the end credits.

Discography

References

http://www.certifiedhiphop.com/features.shtml

External links

* [http://duckdown.com Duck Down Records website]
* [http://seanprice.com Sean Price official website]
* [http://www.bootcampclik.net/sean-price/ Sean Price official fan forum]
* [http://schnooklynzoo.blogspot.com/2008/01/passion-of-price-updated_13.html PAssion Of Price Volumes 1-7]