BLOCK BANG GANG
Rappers and hit singles happen faster than a tour can get from the East to the West coast, but Cleveland’s Da Block Bang Gang isn’t in it for a one hit wonder; there are deep roots in music and friendship behind what they do. Da Block Bang Gang makes songs for the clubs and songs for the streets, ranging about everything from love to money with one underlying theme; they come from the block, and intend to continue their reign over the block.
U-Kon, K.O, Dutch, and Chronic Boo hit the streets of Cleveland as Da Block Bang Gang back in 2002 and have been grinding to gain respect and a following in the rap game ever since. With their current smash single “Latitude†making noise from Florida to Atlanta and even Detroit they are doing their thing to put Cleveland on the map. Getting the respect of their community has been both the biggest challenge, and thus the biggest accomplishment of their career. Their hustle has paid off, and Da Gang is regularly featured on Cleveland’s Z 107.9 as well as radio across the country, has opened up for some of rap’s biggest acts passing through Cleveland, and recently caught the attention of well known mixtape DJ G-Spot as the newest hip hop group to look out for.
KNOCKOUT KING aka K.O.
With his deep voice and intimidating presence, 21-year-old K.O. is sometimes considered the boss of Da Block Bang Gang, however he’ll be the first to tell you, they are all in this together. “No amount of money can change the fact that we have been, and always will be boys.†When asked about producers they’d like to work with in the future, K.O. explains they’re very content with their current producers 6-1, Baby Huey, and DJ One. His only hope for the future is to continue making music and money as a group.
U-KON
U-Kon, a.k.a. Using Knowledge On Niggas, is the hustler of the Gang’s operations and is the stem of the group that holds them all together. At 20 years old, this business minded rapper finds motivation and influence from his stepfather, who gave up his own music career to take care of the family his biological father left behind bars years earlier. U-Kon has been influential in landing the Gang gigs opening up for the likes of Lil Scrappy, Pitbull, and Mike Jones, as well as building and maintaining a strong presence among the country’s top DJ’s.
DUTCH
Standing 6’2â€, 22 years old, and 100% hood, Dutch is Da Block Bang Gang’s unpredictable, wild one. Linking up with U-Kon at an early age, they hit the block and started hustling together. Through that they found an alliance in their similar upbringings and later with music. Dutch has powerful rhymes to match his strong personality and charisma, and the street smarts to survive no matter what. His unique style comes from the combination of his Midwest background and New York rappers such as Biggie, Jadakiss and Jay-Z who strongly influenced him.
CHRONIC BOO aka CHRON
18 year-old Chronic Boo, is the youngest and last member to join the Gang. Born and raised in Cleveland, this MC has the delivery and sound of a smooth, fly-boy with a creative mind all on his own. Chron’s biggest influences are his brothers, also once aspiring rappers, but whose dreams were cut short by shady management. Having learned from their mistakes and misfortunes, Chronic Boo doesn’t plan on going anywhere, unless its too the top of the charts with the rest of the Gang.
BBG...WE ARE CLEVELAND
Da Block Bang Gang’s collaboration lyrically as well as camaraderie in and out of the studio creates an environment where they feed off one another. As K.O. says, “Everybody needs something from someone else, we all bring something different to the table. We just vibe great as a group.†Many big things are in the works for the Gang such as tours, collaborations, and mixtape series. Currently buzzing in the midwest and southern region, the word on the street now is; When the big bang comes to your block…..which side of the block will you be standing on?
