Kurupt
About this Artist
Kurupt, born Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, is a prominent West Coast rapper and a foundational member of Tha Dogg Pound alongside Daz Dillinger. Raised in Philadelphia and later relocating to Los Angeles, Kurupt rose to fame in the early 1990s as part of Death Row Records, contributing standout verses to Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, two landmark albums in hip-hop history.
As part of Tha Dogg Pound, he released the classic 1995 debut Dogg Food, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified their status in the G-funk movement. Kurupt is celebrated for his sharp lyricism, freestyle prowess, and aggressive delivery, often cited among the best lyricists from the West Coast.
He launched a solo career with Kuruption! (1998) and Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha (1999), earning respect for maintaining lyrical depth and versatility outside of the group. Kurupt also collaborated extensively with artists like Nate Dogg, Xzibit, DJ Quik, and Tupac Shakur, including appearing on 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.
Beyond music, Kurupt served as Vice President of Death Row Records during its peak and has remained active in the underground and independent scene. His influence stretches across generations, and he continues to tour and record, holding firm as a veteran voice in hip-hop culture.