Originating as West Coast party rappers, tha Alkaholiks broke into hip-hop through their early collaboration with King Tee on his 1993 release Tha Triflin' Album. Following tours alongside KRS-One, Ice Cube, and Too Short, the crew secured a major-label deal with Loud/RCA. Formed in the early '90s, the outfit took shape after DJ E-Swift, born Eric Brooks, and Tash, born Rico Smith—both hailing from Cincinnati—had previously teamed up in Disturbers of the Peace (D.O.P.). Once the pair relocated for good to Los Angeles, they connected with J-Ro, born James Robinson, who had previously contributed to Total Control alongside rapper Suavee D and King Tee, including shows opening for the Real Roxanne and Dana Dane, yet sought fresh opportunities. Adopting the name tha Alkaholiks, the three linked again with King Tee for his single "I Got It Bad Y'All" before inking with Loud/RCA to issue the 1993 single "Likwit/Only When I'm Drunk." Their debut full-length, 21 & Over, appeared later that same year, whereas the follow-up Coast II Coast found them enlisting East Coast heavyweight Q-Tip without abandoning their signature West Coast party energy. Tha Alkaholiks dropped their third album Likwidation in August 1997, then shifted to the moniker tha Liks for 2001's X.O. Experience. Firewater surfaced in 2006, coinciding with word that the group was disbanding.
