Sheek Louch of The Lox & D-Block Signs Solo Deal With Def Jam
(Sept. 28, 2010 – New York, NY) New York rapper Sheek Louch – best-known for his roles as D-Block entrepreneur and founding member of hip-hop super-trio The L.O.X. – finds a new home at the label he was always destined to join, as Def Jam Recordings announces the December 7th release of his new solo album, DONNIE G. Production details and guests on the new album, as well as the first single pick and video, will be revealed in the weeks ahead. DONNIE G., the fifth album by Sheek (aka Don Gorilla, or Donny G.), is the highly anticipated follow-up to his independently-released Life on D-Block (May 2009).
Three weeks before the new album release, Sheek will hit the road with fellow Def Jam artist Ghostface for more than a month of U.S. dates. The cross-country tour opens October 11th, at Toad’s Place in New Haven and concludes November 13th at Brick by Brick in San Diego, California. (Please see complete itinerary below.)
Sheek Louch (Sean Jacobs) is always at the eye of the storm – just like Jadakiss (Jason Phillips) and Styles P (David Styles), his long-time partners in The L.O.X. and D-Block. The road to Def Jam began for all three as kids growing up and rhyming in Yonkers, New York. Fellow Yonkers hip-hop first lady Mary J. Blige hooked them up with Bad Boy in 1996, where they became known as The L.O.X. (‘Living Off Xperience’). They were a ubiquitous presence on “It’s All About the Benjamins” as well as Bad Boy joints from Notorious B.I.G. and Mase, and cuts by Mary J., Mariah Carey, J-Lo, DJ Clue, and many others.
The first L.O.X. album arrived in January 1998 (Money, Power & Respect), with “If You Think I’m Jiggy” and the all-time classic title-tune (featuring DMX and Lil’ Kim). By the next year they had moved to a new imprint founded by DMX’s management, Ruff Ryders, which had already signed Jadakiss as a solo. We Are the Streets, the second (and to date, final) L.O.X. album was released in 2000 on Ruff Ryders.
Sheek’s solo career began with 2003’s Walk witt Me, and then went the indie route with After Taxes (2005), Silverback Gorilla (2008), and last year’s Life on D-Block. Along the way, Sheek has played a key role in establishing The L.O.X.’s D-Block brand, whose Yonkers-based holdings include a recording studio, a car wash, and the clothing line known for its unisex jerseys and signature D-Block logo navy flat brim fitted hat.
“I’m like a new artist right now,” Sheek says proudly of his departure from the (rather lucrative) indie grind and his return to the majors with hip-hop powerhouse Def Jam, which was announced via Twitter. “I feel great! Def Jam really feeling the energy, so I’m ecstatic, man, I’m excited!”
SHEEK LOUCH ON-TOUR WITH GHOSTFACE
Date City Venue
Oct. 11 New Haven Toads Place
12 Boston, MA The Paradise
13 Providence, RI Lupo’s
14 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
15 Syracuse, NY Westcott Theatre
16 Portland, ME Asylum
18 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
19 Manchester, NH Rocko’s
20 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
21 Farmingdale, NY Crazy Donkey
22 New York, NY BB King’s
26 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
27 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
28 Cincinnati, OH Madison Theatre
29 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
31 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub
Nov. 2 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
3 Iowa City, IA Blue Moose
4 Omaha, NE Waiting Room
6 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
7 Colorado Spgs., CO The Black Sheep
8 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
10 Fresno, CA Frank’s Place
11 San Francisco, CA Slim’s
12 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
13 San Diego, CA Brick By
