Strongly associated with his group, the LOX (aka D-Block), Styles managed a sporadic solo career on the side. Born David Styles on November 28, 1974, in Queens and raised in Yonkers, he united with childhood friends Jadakiss and Sheek to form the LOX in 1994. The trio went on to sign with Puff Daddy's record label, Bad Boy. The LOX guested on numerous Bad Boy-affiliated songs and even recorded an album of their own, Money, Power & Respect (1998), which yielded a hit single of the same name. The LOX left Bad Boy soon afterward to join the Ruff Ryder camp, where the trio's style of hardcore rap fit better alongside other rugged rappers such as DMX. Ruff Ryder released the second LOX album, We Are the Streets (2000), followed by solo albums for each of the members. Styles' solo debut, A Gangster and a Gentleman (2002), was led by the Swizz Beatz-produced hit single "Good Times." Four years later, he returned under the billing Styles P as Ruff Ryders released his much-delayed sophomore album, Time Is Money (2006), in December. Almost exactly one year from that date, signed to Koch Records, the rapper issued his third studio full-length, Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman) (2007). ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
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Black Voices
New 'Blueprint'? Hip-hop demigod Jay-Z let's audience in on a sneak peek of his newest music during Kanye West concert. Also news on Dr. Dre and Natalie Cole. All of that and much more in Black Music Notes.