The LOX

Formed in Yonkers, New York in 1994, hip-hop trio the Lox is best-known as the launching pad for the future solo careers of members Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch. The Lox is one of the only musical groups to have three different members’ debut solo albums reach the Billboard Top 10. Composed of Jason ‘Jadakiss’ Phillips, David ‘Styles P’ Styles, and Sean ‘Sheek Louch’ Jacobs, the trio came together in high school as the Bomb Squad. They began playing locally and recording demos. As their popularity grew, they changed their name to the Warlocks and gained more notoriety by appearing on various mixtapes. The trio recorded a demo with producer and rapper Jaz-O, which was passed on to songwriter, producer, and Bad Boy Records CEO Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs by Mary J. Blige. Puffy signed the band to his label in 1996 and were encouraged to change their name to the Lox. They released their first single, “Well Well Well” (featuring Kasino) on DJ Clue’s mixtape Show Me the Money. Their 1997 collaboration with Lil’ Kim, Notorious B.I.G. and Puffy on the single “It’s All About the Benjamins” introduced them to a larger audience. The Lox then made featured appearances on tracks by Mase, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Lopez. In 1998, their debut album, Money, Power & Respect, was released and went platinum. The title track, featuring DMX and Lil’ Kim, was released as a single at hit Number 1 on Billboard’s Rap chart. Shortly thereafter, they became disillusioned with Bad Boy’s commercial direction and chose to leave the label. After gaining support from their large fanbase, Puffy relented and the Lox were officially released from their contract. They signed with Ruff Ryders in 1999 and released their sophomore album We Are the Streets in 2000. The album featured the hit single “Ryde or Die, Bitch” (featuring Eve and Timbaland). The Lox left the Ruff Ryders label and went on hiatus with each member pursuing separate successful solo careers. The three members set up the D-Block label, releasing a compilation in 2009. They released a surprise EP at the end of 2013 called The Trinity, followed a year later by The Trinity: 2^nd Sermon. The Lox released their third official album, Filthy America… It’s Beautiful, in 2016.