Kurupt Young Gotti

American rapper and producer Kurupt is one of the original legends and innovators of gangsta rap. He first came to prominence in the early 1990s, first thanks to his appearance on Dr. Dre’s seminal album The Chronic and then with Daz Dillinger as The Dogg Pound who appeared on Snoop Dogg’s breakthrough album Doggystyle. He has been recording and performing ever since, becoming a major influence on the likes of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, both of whom have cited him as one of their favourite rappers of all-time. In 2021, he released two new albums, a solo one entitled 420 (Reloaded) and a new Dogg Pound album called Dpg 4 Life.

Kurupt was born in Philadelphia but grew up largely in California, which is where he entered the rap game. He first appeared on record in 1991 with spots on an album by the SOS Band (best known for their 1980s club smash, ‘Just Be Good To Me’). The following year, he landed a deal with the legendary Death Row Records and was one of many artists who got their major breakthrough appearing on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever made. During the recording, he and Daz Dillinger hit it off and formed The Dogg Pound, going on to back Snoop Dogg up on his recordings and releasing their debut album, Dogg Food, in 1995. The album went to number one in America, selling over 2 million copies. Despite a feud breaking the duo up, they eventually made up and have continued collaborating ever since.