DJ Muggs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lawrence Muggerud (born January 28, 1968 in Queens), and better known as DJ Muggs (or simply Muggs), is Cypress Hill's DJ and producer. He is Italian-American/Norwegian-American, with his surname being of Norwegian origin.
Contents |
[edit] Background
DJ Muggs was first a member of the 7A3, a group that didn't manage to release an album before being dropped by their record label. He then formed Cypress Hill with B-Real and Sen Dog, a group became one of the most popular and influential hip hop groups of the 20th century. DJ Muggs also works as a producer and DJ for other artists such as House of Pain (song "Jump Around" and many others on the group's debut album), Tricky (album "Juxtapose"), Funkdoobiest (song "Bow Wow Wow" any many others), Ice Cube, KRS-One, Eminem, Everlast and MC Eiht.
In 2003, he has released his solo album Dust, which, somehow departed from the usual hiphop forumla, has a trip-hop/rock sound and features artists such as Greg Dulli, Amy Trujillo and Everlast on vocals.
DJ Muggs and Cypress Hill are part of an even bigger collective of musicians, graphic and other artists, the Soul Assassins, who have so far released two compilations albums, and another one is in planned for some time in future.
Today, DJ Muggs has his own Sirius satellite radio show on Shade 45 dubbed "Mash-Up Radio", a show where he and other DJs play their rock/rock blends. In 2005, he has founded the record label Angeles Records together with Self Scientific. One of the first releases on the label was DJ Muggs' collaboration album with GZA/The Genius of Wu-Tang Clan called The Grandmasters.
[edit] Technique
DJ Muggs' beats have been known for their dusty-sounding, eerie and soul-driven melodies. Most of Cypress Hill's production was minimalistic with hard-hitting drums and bass, looped throughout the song; the recent GZA album Grandmasters featured that production. In the later 90s/early 00s, Cypress Hill began incorporating rock more into their beats, coming away with a rap/rock sound akin to that of Rick Rubin. This gleaned spotty reactions from many fans, though just about as many praise the change.
[edit] Discography
- For releases with Cypress Hill, see the group's main article.
[edit] Albums
Soul Assassins
Tricky with DJ Muggs and Grease
Soul Assassins
- 2000: II (RuffLife/Intonation); # 178 US
Muggs
DJ Muggs Vs. GZA
- 2005: Grandmasters; # 180 US
[edit] Mixtapes
- DJ Muggs, 2003: Soul Assassins Mixtape Volume One
- DJ Muggs, 2003: Classic Mixtape Volume One
- DJ Muggs, 2004: Rock Superstar
- DJ Muggs & Chace Infinite, 2004: The Last Assassin
- DJ Muggs, 2005: Soul Assassins Take Aim
