Slow Pain

In 1992 the West Coast rapper Slow Pain launched his beatboxing efforts inside the gangsta rap collective Street Mentality, an outfit that later obtained a contract with BMG. Throughout 1993, Street Mentality, Slow Pain, LiL-V, and Bandit joined Southern Latin hip-hopsters A Lighter Shade of Brown and A.L.T. on the road, although the group’s first release achieved only modest commercial results. Not long afterward Slow Pain teamed with A.L.T. to cut the single “Coupe de Ville,” an experience that prompted him to recruit rapper Kid Frost and weave Latin elements into the gangsta rap framework. Out of those adjustments emerged the trio Three Deep, yet looming misfortune soon eclipsed their progress. After securing a deal with Ruthless Records, the act watched its prospects collapse following the death of fellow West Coast rapper Eazy-E. The loss steered both Slow Pain and A.L.T. toward separate solo paths. In the mid-’90s Slow Pain joined Thump Records and delivered The Baby OG, which contained the popular cut “Money Maid.” Entering the new millennium he collaborated with hardcore rapper Too $hort while forming a fresh ensemble alongside Kid Frost, Mellow Man Ace, A.L.T., and O.G.enius under the name Blvd. Knights. His second album, The Hit List, reached stores in March 2000. Lil’ Don Juan and Presents Old Town Gangsters both appeared the next year, followed by Raider 4 Life in 2003, L.A. Blues in 2004, and In the Hood in 2005.