City of Compton: DJ Quik

by Ran

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Skanless Crew: DJ Quik, 2nd II None, Hi-C, AMG

 

Eazy-E and DJ Quik

 

DJ Quik and Tupac Shakur

 

 

 

 

Quik is the Name - 1991

Way 2 Fonky - 1992













Safe + Sound - 1995













Rhythm-al-ism - 1998














Balance & Options - 2000
















Under tha Influence - 2002













Trauma - 2005














Blaqkout - 2009













The Book of David - 2011












The Midnight Life - 2014

David Marvin Blake was born on January 18, 1970 in Compton, California. David was the youngest of 10 children. His mother, Delma Armstrong, supported the family. 

He joined the neighborhood street gang, the Westside Tree Top Pirus in his teens. When Blake was 16-years-old, his mother moved to Louisiana following the foreclosure of the family home. Blake, who'd become a local DJ, decided to remain in Compton. 

While producing an album for local group Penthouse Players Clique, Blake produced his own gang bang-referencd-laden mixtape, The Red Tape. The Red Tape's popularity ignited a bidding war among major record labels interested in signing Blake. 

After signing with Profile Records, Blake's debut album, Quik Is the Name, was released on January 15, 1991. Blake used his influence at Profile Records to secure deals for Penthouse Players Clique and his proteges 2nd II None as well -- producing albums for both groups. 

In 1994, Blake was introduced to legendary funk musician Roger Troutman. 

His 1995 album, Safe + Sound, featured the diss track "Dollaz + Sense", aimed at fellow Compton rapper MC Eiht, who was affiliated with the Tragnew Park Crips street gang. Following Blake's performance of the song at a party, hosted by Death Row Records CEO Marion "Suge" Knight, at a Los Angeles nightclub, a gang altercation involving Blake ensued, which ultimately resulted in the beating death of a Rolling 60's street gang member. 

During this time, Blake also contributed production for other artists including: Tony! Toni! Tone'!; Adina Howard; and Shaquille O'Neal. 

While Blake was working on his fourth album Rhythm-al-ism at his home studio, his nephew Thaddeus Davis shot his childhood friend Darryl Cortez "Top Dog" Reed, who subsequently died during the surgery to treat his injuries. 

The album, released in 1998, contained the hit song "Hand in Hand", featuring 1980s R&B superstar El DeBarge, whom Blake had met the night that the song was recorded. Ryhthm-al-ism's success led to Blake producing music for Janet Jackson and Will Smith as well.  

On November 2, 2003, Blake forced his way into his older sister's San Bernandino home and physically attacked her, in response to a rumored extortion plot. He would subsequently be convicted and serve two months in jail for the assault. 

DJ Quik feat. El Debarge and 2nd II None 
- Hand in Hand (Soul Train Performance)