St. Lunatics

The five-piece rap group St. Lunatics, based in St. Louis, Missouri, came together in 1993 and features Ali, Nelly, City Spud, Kyjuan, and Murphy Lee. Their first single, “Gimme What You Got,” was tracked in 1996 and emerged as a regional hit after selling 8,000 copies and earning steady plays on the St. Louis FM station 103 the Beat. In 1998 the outfit crossed paths with Cudda Love, owner of Fo’ Reel Entertainment and Mase’s former manager, who brought the rappers into his circle. He arranged a Universal Records contract for the band in addition to solo deals for each of its members. St. Lunatics issued their debut album, Free City, in June 2001.