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The HBK Gang
Background information
Also known asThe Heartbreak Gang
OriginSan Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2009 (2009)–present
LabelsHBK Gang
Members
Past membersLoveRance

The HBK Gang (abbreviation for the Heartbreak Gang)[1] is an American hip-hop collective based in San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper, and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehlani and rapper-producers Sage the Gemini, IsThatCJ, Rossi, Dave Steezy, Jay Ant, and Kool John. After contributing to various mixtapes, including Iamsu's Kilt II, in August 2013, the group released their debut mixtape, Gang Forever. HBK Gang Records is the name of an associated independent record label.

History

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Founding

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HBK Gang is primarily composed of colleagues who met while attending high school in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Pinole.[2] The collective was founded in 2008, while many involved were still in school. By 2013, its members included Iamsu!, Kool John, P-Lo, Sage the Gemini, Skipper (or $kip), CJ, singer Rossi, Dave Steezy, and Jay Ant (or Jay Anthony).[3] Iamsu! first began to form and organize the group in 2011.[4]

Iamsu!, haling from Richmond, California, was a fan of artists such as Kanye West, R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Marching Band, as well as reggae music.[5][6] He became acquainted with P-Lo in 2005, and later began working as a rapper and producer himself. P-Lo, inspired by Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout (2004), began creating beats in his youth. P-Lo most notably produced Wiz Khalifa's "Bout Me" and Yo Gotti's single "Act Right," the latter of which entered the Billboard Hot 100. P-Lo joined Iamsu! in the formation of the production team "The Invasion" shortly after their meeting, starting a trend of collaboration between future members.[7] Iamsu! also collaborated with Sage the Gemini on his single "Gas Pedal" in March 2013, which peaked at number on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it both artists' first top 40 hit.

Early releases

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The Heartbreak Gang was performing and releasing music as early as 2011[7] and in August 2011, performed at the debut release party for Tha Outfit's "Like My Bass" music video.[8] The group featured artists Dave Steezy and Mike Dash-E in their music,[3] releasing the track "Gettin' It", featuring Kool John, in 2012. In January 2013, Iamsu! was a guest for Jonn Hart on Hart's "Who Booty" video.[4]

The crew contributed to all of Iamsu's mixtapes, including Kilt II in June 2013, with other guest appearances including Problem, Juvenile, Ty Dolla Sign, Terrace Martin, Tank, and Mistah F.A.B.[3]

Gang Forever (2013)

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Main article: Gang Forever

HBK Gang released their debut compilation mixtape,[9] Gang Forever, on August 12, 2013.[10] It includes 17 tracks featuring different members of the collective. Much of the album's production was handled by the Invasion (the production team of Iamsu!, P-Lo, Kuya Beats, Jay Ant, and Chief), with tracks also produced by Cardo, AKA Frank,[3] Kuya Beats, Sage the Gemini, and Jay Ant.[11]

Touring, music videos

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The collective toured the western United States during September and August 2013, hitting locations such as Seattle, Spokane, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, and Reno, Nevada.[12] Titled the HBK Forever Tour, it featured Iamsu! as headliner and Kool John and Jay Ant as support.[12] Hip-hop dancing is an important element of the live shows. According to Sage the Gemini, dancing is also a key aspect of the group's creative process.[9] The collective has released both tour videos[13] and a number of music videos for their songs, including "Go Crazy".[9]

Members

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Current
  • Iamsu! – group founder, hip hop recording artist and producer from Richmond, California.[5]
  • Skipper – rapper[1]
  • Sage the Gemini – hyphy and hip hop recording artist from Fairfield, California, who released "Gas Pedal" in 2013.
  • P-Lo – rapper/member of the production team the Invasion
  • CJ – also goes by *HBK CJ and *IsThatCJ
  • Jay Anthony – rapper/member of the production team the Invasion
  • Kool John – rapper
  • Rossi – vocals
  • Azure – DJ/rapper
  • Dave Steezy – rapper
  • Kehlani – singer
  • HeartBreakRich - rapper

Record label

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HBK Gang Records
Founded2010 (2010)
Founder
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Warner Music / EMPIRE
Genre
LocationBay Area, California

HBK Gang is also the name of a record label, which as of 2013 has released most of Iamsu!'s mixtapes and albums, including Su! The Right Thing (2010), Young California (2011), Kilt (2012), Stoopid (2012), and $uzy 6 $peed (2012). 2013 saw the release of his album Million Dollar Afro, which also features Problem and was coreleased on Problem's label Diamond Lane Music Group. Iamsu!'s Kilt II mixtape followed in 2013, while the HBK Gang's first mixtape, Gang Forever, was released in August 2013.[14] The label's first in-store release was Iamsu!'s debut album, Sincerely Yours, which was released on May 13, 2014.

Releases from HBK Gang Records[14]
Year Title Artist
2010 Su! The Right Thing Iamsu!
2011 Young California Iamsu!
2011 The Miseducation Of IAmSu Iamsu!
2011 #IAmMostRachet Jay Ant
2012 $uzy 6 $peed Iamsu!
2012 WET Skipper
2012 Stoopid Iamsu! and Jay Ant
2012 Kilt Iamsu!
2012 MBMGC P-Lo
2013 Million Dollar Afro Iamsu! and Problem
2013 CJ 2.0 HBK CJ
2013 Blue Money Mick Boogie Presents: Jay Ant
2013 Kilt 2 Iamsu!
2013 Peace, Love and $hmoplife Kool John
2013 ChillDrinkF*ckSmoke Kool John
2013 Gang Forever HBK Gang
2013 MBMGC 2 P-Lo
2014 WET2 Skipper
2014 Sincerely Yours Iamsu!
2014 $hmop City Kool John
2014 Remember Me Sage the Gemini
2015 All Eyes On Me Iamsu!
2015 Love and Peace HBK CJ
2015 Moovie! Kool John and P-Lo
2015 The Thrill Skipper

Discography

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Singles

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  • 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John
  • 2013: "STU Freestyle"

Mixtapes

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Title Album details
Gang Forever
  • Released: August 12, 2013
  • Label: HBK Gang
  • Format: Digital download

Music videos

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  • 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John – directed by Chris Simmons
  • 2013: "STU Freestyle" – directed by tyCA
  • 2013: "Go Crazy" – directed by Daghe
  • 2013: "Bad Boyz" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2013: "Losin" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2013: "Quit Cattin" – directed by David Camarena
  • 2013:"Rep That Gang" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2013: "Father God" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2014 "Bad Boyz" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2014: "Cover Girl" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2015: "L" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2015: "Interlude" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2015: "Interlude" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2016: "Grande" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2017: "Gucci" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2017: "I Be" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2017: "Back 2 Basics" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2017: "Su Concert" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2018: "Young Boy" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2018: "Freestyle" – directed by HBK GADGET
  • 2018: "Lee Pipes" – directed by HBK GADGET

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Smith, Trevor (August 12, 2013). "Gang Forever track listing". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  2. ^ "Who is HBK Gang?". NewDayMusicWorld. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  3. ^ a b c d MVP (August 12, 2013). "HBK Gang – Gang Forever (Mixtape)". Free On Smash. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  4. ^ a b LouieKnows (January 22, 2013). "IamSu discusses his HBK gang, the Bay, and more". BlkdMnds. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  5. ^ a b "Iamsu! Interview Sphinx Chains, College, Yeezus". Complex. 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  6. ^ Susman, Nathan (June 21, 2013). "Interview: Iamsu! Talks Sphinx Chains, College, & His Opinion of "Yeezus"". Complex Music. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  7. ^ a b "P-Lo: About". Facebook (Official). Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  8. ^ "Event: "like My Bass" video release party 8.19.11". Liquid Sacramento. 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  9. ^ a b c Thomas, Chris (September 3, 2013). "HBK Gang – "Go Crazy" [VIDEO]". Hip Hop Wired. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  10. ^ Diep, Eric (August 12, 2013). "Iamsu! & HBK Gang Releases New Mixtape, 'Gang Forever'". XXL Magazine. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  11. ^ Louieknows (August 12, 2013). "HBK Gang – Gang Forever (Mixtape)". BlkdMnds. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  12. ^ a b "Tour". Heart Break Gang. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  13. ^ "HBK Gang – HBK Forever Tour Episode 6 (Video)". Thizzler. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
  14. ^ a b "Heart Break Gang: Record Label". Discogs. Retrieved 2013-09-27.
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