Keak Da Sneak

American rapper Keak da Sneak, originator of the hyphy movement, began his recording path as one member of 3X Krazy, the Oakland-based hardcore rap trio that operated throughout the 1990s. Born Charles Kente Williams in Alabama, he relocated to California and took up rapping while still young. His first recordings emerged alongside Agerman; the two formed Dual Committee in 1992 and placed several tracks on C-BO’s The Autopsy. After rapper B.A. joined the lineup, the unit became 3X Krazy and continued issuing projects through 2004.

Turning solo, Keak aligned with Moe Doe Records, which issued his initial albums Sneakacydal in 1999 and Hi-Tek in 2001 plus the 2000 collaboration Dual Committee with Agerman. He next recorded the album Retaliation for Sacramento’s Black Market Records, a label devoted to hardcore rap. From that point forward he maintained a steady release schedule of at least one project annually, reaching his sixth official full-length, Cheddar Cheese I Say, in 2012. Withdrawl arrived in 2017 and included guest spots from Mozzy, E-40, J. Stalin, G-Stack, and additional artists.