Boosie Badazz

Torrence Hatch (born November 14, 1982), better known by his stage name Boosie Badazz, formerly Lil Boosie, is an American rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.^[1] Hatch was bestowed the nickname Boosie by his family, and he was raised in Southside Baton Rouge. As Boosie, he has released Six or Seven regular studio albums while contributing to a number of mixtapes and compilations.

Hatch served time in the Louisiana State Penitentiary from 2009–14, having been sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to drug charges. He was released early on March 5, 2014. On October 20, 2014, Lil' Boosie changed his name to "Boosie Badazz".

Music career

Early career

Lil' Boosie's cousin Young Bleed introduced Boosie to Baton Rouge rapper C-Loc in the late 1990s.^[2] He was mentored by Young Bleed and C-Loc and joined the group Concentration Camp, as the youngest member at the age 14 in 1996. The group consists of Young Bleed, C-Loc, Happy Perez, Boo, Max Minelli, J-Von, Lee Tyme and Lucky Knuckles. He eventually debuted on C-Loc’s fifth album, ‘It’s A Gamble’ in 2000 under his old alias Boosie and Concentration Camp third studio album Camp III : Thug Brothas in 2000.^[3] The departure of Young Bleed from the Camp helped put Lil Boosie in a prime position amongst the group. Alongside C-Loc and Max Minelli, he served as one of the “faces” of the Camp. At 17 years of age, he recorded his debut album, the aptly-titled Youngest of da Camp, (Camp Life Entertainment, 2000). The album production was mostly handled by Happy Perez, and featured C-Loc, Max Minelli and Donkey.^[4]

In 2001 he joined Trill Entertainment backed by its CEO the late Pimp C of UGK. Soon after, Trill independently released the album For My Thugz under his new alias Lil Boosie in 2002.^[5] The album featured Pimp C, Young Bleed, Webbie while he also put out his first mixtape title Boosie 2002 (Advance) featuring contributions by Max Minelli and Pimp C.

2003–05: Ghetto Stories, Gangsta Muzik and Warner Bros.

Later in the summer of 2003, Boosie collaborated with Webbie on the album Ghetto Stories, presented by Pimp C.^[6] In 2004, the duo worked together again on Trill Azz Mixtape Vol. 1, which also featured an appearance of Torrence “Bad Azz”.^[7] In the same year, he released Trill Azz Mixes II which introduced Phat, later known as Lil Phat.^[8] He paired up again with Webbie, to release their second compilation album, Gangsta Musik. He caught the eye of some Universal Music Group representatives. In 2004 Lil Boosie and South Coast Coalition released Both Sides of the Track. Boosie also released a compilation mixtape title Bad Ass with a few new tracks like Trill Shit. It also featured the track I Smoke, I Drank by Body Head Bangerz featuring Boosie and Young Bleed off their debut album Body Head Bangerz: Volume One. January 1, 2005 Boosie teamed up with Lava House Records to release United We Stand, Divided We Fall. He also released Street Code with Pat Lowrenzo. In 2005, Lil Boosie released Bad Ass (Advance) to promote Bad Azz. In late January 2005, Boosie signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records.^[9]

2006–08: Bad Azz and Survival of the Fittest

In early 2006, Trill released Bad Ass Mixtape Vol.1 as a follow-up to (Bad Ass Advance). In 2006, Boosie's major label debut album Bad Azz was released.^[1] It contained the single "Zoom" featuring Yung Joc. A Bad Azz DVD followed where the rapper explained the death of his father due to drugs and his fight against diabetes. In early December 2006, the mixtape “Streetz Iz Mine” was released by Lil Boosie and DJ Drama (Gangsta Grillz), featuring a guest appearance by Webbie. In 2007, Lil Boosie released Bad Azz Mixtapes Vol. 2 while together with Webbie he featured on the remix of "Wipe Me Down" by rapper Foxx. It was put on the Trill Entertainment compilation album Survival of the Fittest, which was released in 2007. In 2008 Boosie released Da Beginning Mixtape. At Lil Boosie's 4 July Bash party, he passed out his new mixtape, 4th Of July Bash. In December 2008, Lil Boosie released Lil Boosie Presents: Da Click, which features Da Click (Hatch Boy, Locco, Quick and Bleek). In 2008, he was featured on the single "Independent" by Webbie and was among several rappers to be featured on "Out Here Grindin" by DJ Khaled.

2009: Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz and Bad Azz Entertainment

In March 2009 Boosie released The Return Of Mr. Wipe Me Down as a promotion mixtape to his second major album. The Runners and V-12 produced some of the mixtape. Lil Boosie again passed out an untitled mixtape at his July of 4th Bash. Songs from the tape eventually ended up on Da Click: ''Street Kingz which was released July 14. In 2009, Lil Boosie released his second major album Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz. The first single from the album, "Better Believe It", featured Webbie and Young Jeezy. Promotional music videos for songs from the album, such as "I'm a Dog" and "Loose as a Goose," were released. Also in 2009, Lil Boosie presented his debut label Bad Azz Entertainment. Lil Boosie released Thug Passion on his Bad Azz Entertainment label in 2009. In the summer (July) of 2009, Lil Boosie and Hurricane Chris released a mixtape titled Category 7: Bad Azz Hurricane. Lil Boosie also released a mixtape titled Untouchables with LoLa Monroe. Lil Boosie also released a mixtape titled The 25th Hour. On an interlude on the mixtape, he speaks on his prison term.

2010–12: Incarcerated

In 2010 Lil Boosie and C-Loc his former CEO release Unbreakable as a Compilation CD. As of 2010, Lil Boosie has announced while he is still in prison on charges of murder and conspiracy, and potentially facing the death penalty, he wants to move forward with his hip hop career. Boosie released his fourth studio album, Incarcerated, on September 28 on Asylum Records. According to MTV News, the project is almost entirely produced by B.J., although Mouse on Tha Track did some work on it as well. Webbie, Foxx and Lil Trill are among the featured guests.^[10] Lil Boosie released Gone Til' December in 2010, which is a mixtape album consisting of new music. The 25th Hour tape was originally released in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana – but other versions have spread around the internet. The version that he dropped featured songs like “Be Careful” featuring Money Bag$, “I Did You Wrong” feat. Lil Quick, “I Been Icy,” “My Children,” and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha.” Other notable guest appearances include: Lil Jas, Hatch Boy, Yung Giga of Bad Azz Entertainment, as well as Lil Trill. There are some other mixtapes floating around the internet with similar titles, so Bad Azz Entertainment released it as Should've Been My Beatz on Amazon, Rhapsody and others. Lil Boosie released 22504 with B.G.. In 2011 Quick release Hit After Hit 3 with Lil Boosie. In 2012 My Brother's Keeeper was released with Money Bagz and Quick. Also Under Investigation was released as a free download on Livemixtapes with Ray Vicks.

2013: Name change to "Boosie Badazz"

In January 2013 Lil Boosie spoke on his prison sentence and said,

I have about 500 songs at the moment. I feel that I'm making the best music I've ever made. The more I go through in life the better my music gets and it's been crazy the last three years. I keep my music heartfelt and stick to making real music. I wouldn't even say it's hip hop music. My music is 'reality rap'. Hip hop music can make you dance and bob your head, but it can't make you cry or touch your heart like reality rap.

On September 13, 2013 it was reported that judges related to his case agreed to return his hard drives and his computers. The equipment contained a lot of music he had recorded before going to jail. Jeff Weiss, who covered Boosie's trial for Rolling Stone, reported that Boosie's attorneys believe that he will be released within the next five months.^[11] On March 10, 2014, Boosie made his first comments to the public following his release from prison. During the press conference he revealed his new record deal with Atlantic Records.^[12] His first single released would be "Show Da World" with Webbie. Lil Boosie was feature on "Wuda Cuda Shuda" by 2 Chainz, "Beat Up the Block" by Dorrough Music, "Face Down" by DJ Mustard, "Beez Like" by Young Jeezy, "Jet Fuel" by T.I., "Made Me" (Remix) by Snootie Wild.

In October 2014, Boosie changed his stage name to Boosie Badazz.^[13][14] and explained in a May 2015 interview with Noisey: "I got tired of just people, grown men, like “What up Lil Boosie?” No, I'm grown. It should be Mr.! You know, I'm Boosie Badazz. I'm a dad, man. Just take the shit off! That's how I was feeling ... Boosie Badazz is just like, more people say Badazz when they see me than Boosie, so I just stuck with the Boosie Badazz."^[15]

2014–present: Touchdown 2 Cause Hell and Life After Deathrow

In April 2014, Boosie announced that his sixth studio album Touchdown 2 Cause Hell would be released on July 15, 2014, but was later pushed back to September 23, 2014.^[16] The album would be delayed yet again, until he unveiled the tracklist and announced a May 26th release date on April 22, 2015. The project features 17 new tracks with guest appearances from Rich Homie Quan on the single "Like A Man," Webbie on the street single "On That Level," as well as Chris Brown, Rick Ross, T.I. and Keyshia Cole.^[17]

On October 30, 2014, Lil Boosie released his first mixtape since his release from prison titled "Life After Deathrow", featuring Yo Gotti, Trey Songz, LIV and Shy Glizzy.^[18]

Bad Azz Entertainment

Bad Azz Entertainment is a record label founded by Lil Boosie. In 2008, Lil Boosie formed his own group, Da Click, then his imprint Bad Azz Entertainment in 2009. Bad Azz Entertainment also has a subsidiary that was started by Donkey named, Track Life Entertainment. Bad Azz Entertainment also has another subsidiary record label called Bad Azz Music Syndicate that was created by Lil Boosie manager TQ.

Legal troubles

On October 22, 2008, Lil Boosie was arrested after East Baton Rouge sheriff's deputies found marijuana and a gun in Boosie's car. Boosie pled guilty to his third-offense possession of marijuana charge on September 22, 2009 and was sentenced to two years in prison the next day.^[19] Judge James Moore doubled the sentence on November 10 after finding Boosie had violated probation while awaiting sentencing. Between his plea and sentencing, Boosie was electronically monitored and placed under house arrest.^[20]

On June 17, 2010 Lil Boosie was indicted on federal charges on first-degree murder of Terry Boyd.^[21] He also faces charges for three counts of possession with intent to distribute narcotics (Schedule II-Codeine, Schedule I-Ecstasy and Schedule I-Marijuana), three counts of "conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics", and two counts of "conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution".^[21] He has stated that he is innocent of these charges.^[22] District Attorney Hillar Moore stated that the killing seemed to be "over turf". If convicted, Lil Boosie may face the death penalty. Prosecutors have stated that they believe the rapper may have been involved in at least five other murders.^[23] On June 28, Lil Boosie entered a not-guilty plea in a Louisianan court room. While Boosie's defense addressed the fact that the rapper has several ongoing cases, they emphasized that he is not a murderer.^[24]

On November 29, 2011, Lil Boosie was sentenced to eight years in state prison after pleading guilty to the drug charges.^[25]

On May 11, 2012, a jury found Lil Boosie not guilty of the first degree murder.^[26] Directly after, in an interview,^[27] his label-mate Webbie gave his opinion on what was next for Boosie but Boosie's legal troubles were far from over just yet.

On December 7, 2012 after it seemed Lil Boosie was to remain in prison for 7 more years due to drug charges, Lil Boosie's attorneys were able to argue that the drug ring charge was a set up. This was because the informant offered to provide codeine syrup for Lil Boosie, an admitted codeine addict, in exchange for his help.^[28]

On December 19, 2013, it was revealed Boosie would be released from prison on August 18, 2014.^[29] However, the following day his brother/manager revealed that the release date had been pushed up to February 2014.^[30] Then on January 29, 2014, it was confirmed that Boosie had his final hearing on February 13, 2014, and he would be released during the following week.^[31] He was then released on March 5, 2014.^[12] He will remain on parole until 2018.^[32]

Personal life

Lil Boosie grew up without a father figure in his life, as his father was murdered while he was a child. His mother is Jacquelyn Hatch. He is married to Walnita Decuir-Hatch. He has 7 children: Iviona, Tarlaysia, Torrence Jr., Toriana, Lyric, Ivy Ray, and MJ Hatch^[33] Shortly after Bad Azz was released, Boosie announced that he had diabetes.^[1] On March 9, 2013 while incarcerated it was announced that Lil Boosie had earned his GED certificate.^[34] On November 25, 2015, Boosie announced via Instagram and Twitter that he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, but he later deleted it off of Instagram and Twitter when his PR team told him to do so.^[35] He had successful surgery to remove the cancer.^[36]

Discography

Studio albums

• 2000: Youngest of da Camp
• 2002: For My Thugz
• 2006: Bad Azz
• 2009: Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz
• 2010: Incarcerated
• 2015: Touch Down 2 Cause Hell
• 2016: In My Feelings (Goin' Thru It)
• 2016: Out My Feelings In My Past

Collaboration albums

• 2000: C-Loc Present Camp III: Thug Brothas (with Concentration Camp)
• 2003: Pimp C Present: Ghetto Stories (with Webbie)
• 2004: Gangsta Musik (with Webbie)
• 2007: Trill Entertainment Presents: Survival of the Fittest (with Foxx, Webbie and Trill Fam)
• 2010: Trill Entertainment Presents: All or Nothing (with Foxx, Webbie and Trill Fam)
• TBR: Penitentiary Chances (with C-Murder)^[37][38]

Filmography

Films

• Gangsta Musik (2005)
• Bad Azz (2006)
• On the Grind (2006)
• Last Dayz (2009)
• Ghetto Stories: The Movie (2010)

Awards

• Ozone Awards
  • 2008: Club Banger of the Year ("Independent") (Won)
  • 2007: Best Rap Album (Bad Azz) (Nominated)
  • 2007: Best Breakthrough Artist (Won)

References

External links

• Boosie Badazz on Twitter