Mozzy Explained

Mozzy
Birth Name:Timothy Patterson[1] [2]
Alias:Lil Tim
Birth Date:24 June 1987
Birth Place:Oak Park, Sacramento, California, U.S.
Genre:Hip hoptrapgangsta rap
Years Active:2004present

Timothy Cornell Patterson[3] (born June 24, 1987), known professionally as Mozzy, is an American rapper from Sacramento, California.[4] He signed with Yo Gotti's record label Collective Music Group (CMG), an imprint of Interscope Records in 2022, having previously signed with local independent label, Blackmarket Records. He is best known for his 2021 single "Last One Standing" (with Skylar Grey, Polo G, and Eminem) from the film , which peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] [5]

He began rapping in 2004 under the name Lil Tim,[3] which he changed in favor of Mozzy in 2012. He gained recognition following the release of his mixtape Bladadah (2015), which was ranked as the 22nd Best Rap Album of that year by Rolling Stone,[6] and gave him the "best run" of 2015 according to Complex.[7] Each of his studio albums—1 Up Top Ahk (2017), Gangland Landlord (2018), Beyond Bulletproof (2020), Occupational Hazard (2020), Untreated Trauma (2021), Survivor's Guilt (2022), and Children of the Slums (2024)—have entered the Billboard 200, in addition to his collaborative album with fellow California rapper YGKommunity Service (2021)—and compilation albums with CMG—Gangsta Art (2022) and Gangsta Art 2 (2023).[8]

Early life

Mozzy grew up on 4th Avenue, in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood.[9] His parents were not in his life, so he was raised by his grandmother Brenda Patterson-Usher, a Black Panther party member, who owned several homes throughout Oak Park.[10] Mozzy attended Sacramento High School, but eventually dropped out and earned a GED. He worked various local jobs until he decided to pursue his music career full-time in 2010.[3]

Career

Career beginnings

Mozzy first began rapping at age 16 alongside his uncle Genaro "GP the Beast" Patterson.

In 2010 under the stage name "Lil Tim", Mozzy released a single titled "U Ain't Really Like 'Dat", his first release as a full-time musician. Mozzy released his first solo mixtape in 2011 under the title Money Means Mozzy.

2014-2016: Goonbody Embodiment and Bladadah

Mozzy released his third solo album, Goonbody Embodiment, which features a collaboration with Oakland rapper Philthy Rich, on the track "I'm Just Being Honest" in early May of 2014, which caused a longstanding controversy In December the same year, Compton rapper YG released a single titled "City Mad" featuring Mozzy and associate "Slim 400" leading up to the release of his album, Still Krazy.[11]

In 2015, he released the Mixtape Bladadah, which had been awarded the "best run of 2015" by Complex magazine for had the "best run of 2015", and was ranked the 22nd best rap album of 2015 by Rolling Stone

In January 2016, Vallejo rapper Nef the Pharaoh released the album Neffy Got Wings, featuring a track with Mozzy called "Devil's Team".[12] Mozzy moved from Sacramento to Los Angeles, California and released the album Gang Related Siblings, featuring his fellow Oak Park native and producer June later that year.[13]

2016-2017: Mandatory Check, Fake Famous, and 1 Up Top Ahk

On August 2, 2016, he released Lil Timothy N Thingz, a collection of songs recorded in 2008 while he had still been known as "Lil Tim".[14]

In November 2016, Mozzy released the mixtape Mandatory Check, which reached no. 7 on the Billboard Rap Albums chart.[15]

In January 2017, Mozzy released the mixtape Fake Famous. It features several artists, including YG, Jadakiss, and G-Eazy.[16] In August 2017, Mozzy released his debut studio album, 1 Up Top Ahk, which charted at number 68 on the Billboard 200.[17]

2018-2020: Gangland Landlord, Internal Affairs, and Beyond Bulletproof

In 2018, Mozzy's second studio album Gangland Landlord was released. It peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200.

In May 2019 Mozzy released the mixtape Internal Affairs, which features guest appearances from Lil Poppa and TeeJay3k, among others.[18] In 2019, Mozzy released a full length collaboration album called Chop Stixx and Banana Clips, with Gunplay. Writing about the project for Freemusicempire, Dan-O praised the project, stating "Gunplay and Mozzy paint pictures so you can see the crook's whole journey, not just the sentence".[19]

On May 1, 2020, he released his third studio album, Beyond Bulletproof. The 13-track project follows 2019's Internal Affairs and includes the singles "Pricetag", "I Ain't Perfect", "Overcame", and "Big Homie from the Hood". Mozzy enlisted various artists on the album, including King VonG HerboEric Bellinger, and Polo G.[20] The album debuted at number 43 on the Billboard 200, becoming Mozzy's highest-charting at the time.[21]

2020-2021: Occupational Hazard, Kommunity Service, and Untreated Trauma

On September 23, 2020, Mozzy returned with his second project of 2020, Occupational Hazard. He described it as his favorite project and said the album goes back to his "old" style.[22]

Mozzy started 2021 by releasing the single "Bompton to Oak Park", which was a collaboration with fellow California rapper YG.[23] The single was the lead single to a collaborative album titled Kommunity Service, which was released on May 21 of that year.[24] The album peaked at number 88 on the Billboard 200. In September of that year, Mozzy released his sixth studio album, titled Untreated Trauma.[25] The album debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200, surpassing Beyond Bulletproof as his highest-charting album.[26]

On September 30, 2021, Mozzy was featured on the song "Last One Standing" by Skylar Grey, along with Eminem and Polo G, featured on the soundtrack for the film .[27]

2022-present: Survivor's Guilt and Kollect Kall

On February 10, 2022, Mozzy signed his major-label contract in a joint venture with CMG and Interscope Records and shortly after, released the single "Real Ones" featuring Roddy Ricch,[28] [29] which was the lead single to his album Survivor's Guilt. It was released on July 22, 2022 and peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200.[30]

Controversy

In March 2014, Mozzy released the track "I'm Just Bein Honest" which sparked a feud with local rapper Lavish D. However, there had been an ongoing feud, which started in Meadowview and G Parkway in Sacramento, that put Guttah Team and Starz against Oak Park gangs like Fab and Stunna Gang.[31] This started with an ambush by Lavish D's "Starzup" gang on March 15 on an associate of Mozzy's from Oak Park at the Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento.[31] Nine shootings followed, which the Sacramento Police department found to be linked by the original incident between the two gangs.[31]

Legal issues

Between 2005 and 2008, Mozzy was arrested three times by the Sacramento Police for possession crimes, including illegal possession of a firearm and evading police. He was arrested again in 2014 and served a sentence in San Quentin State Prison, during which his brother and colleague E Mozzy released the album Free Mozzy. After his release, Mozzy decided to focus solely on his music, releasing four solo albums in 2015. Despite receiving offers to perform across the nation and worldwide, Mozzy was unable to leave the state of California until 2017 due to being on probation.[32]

In July 2018, Mozzy was arrested during a traffic stop in Las Vegas for gun possession.[2]

In July 2022, Mozzy pled guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced to one year in prison, as well as a $55,000 fine. He served his sentence at USP Atwater[33] before being released in May 2023 after serving 10 months. [34]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[35]
US
R&B/HH
[36]
US
Rap
[37]
US
Ind.

[38]
1 Up Top Ahk
  • Released: August 18, 2017
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Empire Distribution
68367
Gangland Landlord
  • Released: October 5, 2018
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Empire Distribution
5727259
Beyond Bulletproof
  • Released: May 1, 2020
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Empire Distribution
4325184
Occupational Hazard
  • Released: September 23, 2020
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Empire Distribution
19038
Untreated Trauma[39]
  • Released: September 17, 2021
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Empire Distribution
191093
Survivor's Guilt[40] 402314
Children of the Slums
  • Released: April 19, 2024
  • Label: Mozzy Records / Collective Music Group / Interscope
199
[41]

Compilation albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
Gangsta Art
  • Released: July 15, 2022[42]
  • Label: CMG, Interscope
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
11
[43]
Gangsta Art 2
  • Released: September 29, 2023 [44]
  • Label: CMG, Interscope
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
78
[45]

Collaborative albums

Title Release date Label
Dope Money (with J-Roq)January 5, 2012Independent
Earthquakes and Murder Rates (with Dutch Santana)April 29, 2016Blood Work Ent.
Extracurricular Activities (with Stevie Joe)April 29, 2016Green Carpet Ent. / Livewire Records
Fraternal Twins (with E Mozzy)May 12, 2016Mozzy Records
Mob Ties (with Red-Dot)May 27, 2016Fallout Records
Promise Not to Fumble (with Troublez)July 22, 2016Troublez Music
Gang Related Siblings (with June)August 18, 2016Mozzy Records
Political Ties (with Philthy Rich)September 2, 2016Mozzy Records / SCMMLLC
Fraternal Twins 2 (with E Mozzy)October 19, 2016Mozzy Records
Tapped In (with Trae tha Truth)December 16, 2016Mozzy Records / ABN / Empire
Can't Fake the Real (with Blac Youngsta, Hosted by DaBoyDame)May 19, 2017Play Too Much Entertainment
Dreadlocks & Headshots (with Gunplay) June 2, 2017
Money Makkin Murder (with Lit Soxx)December 2, 2017Muscle Up Music
Legendary Gangland (with Yhung T.O.)December 8, 2017Mozzy Records / SOB X RBE / Empire
Hell Made (with Yowda)December 26, 2017Mozzy Records / YMI LLC
Run It Up Activities (with Kae One)June 8, 2018Team Player Records
Slimey Individualz (with Berner)February 13, 2019Bern One Ent / Mozzy Records / Empire
Chop Stixx & Banana Clips (with Gunplay) September 13, 2019 Real Talk Entertainment
Blood Cuzzins (with Tsu Surf)November 20, 2019Mozzy Records / Foundation Media / Empire
Kommunity Service (with YG)May 21, 2021Mozzy Records / 4Hunnid / Empire
Bloody Waters (with Lil Blood)September 10, 2021Mozzy Records

Mixtapes and EPs

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
R&B/HH
US
Rap
US
Ind.

US
Heat.

[46]
Izizzel Izzy Izie Izim
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: independent
Money Means Mozzy
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: independent
Money Makin Mozzy
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: independent
Dope Fiend Tryna Get His Corsica Back
  • Released: December 20, 2011
  • Label: independent
The Tonite Show with Mozzy (Hosted by DJ Fresh)
  • Released: November 19, 2013
  • Label: Sumo / Fresh in the Flesh
Goonbody Embodiment
  • Released: February 14, 2014
  • Label: independent
Next Body On You
  • Released: April 19, 2014
  • Label: independent
Next Body On You Part 2
  • Released: November 7, 2014
  • Label: independent
Gangland Landscape
  • Released: April 25, 2015
  • Label: independent
Bladadah
  • Released: July 11, 2015
  • Label: independent
Yellow Tape Activities
  • Released: September 11, 2015
  • Label: Black Market
Down to the Wire: 4th Ave Edition
  • Released: November 27, 2015
  • Label: Live Entertainment
Hexa Hella Extra Headshots 2
  • Released: February 9, 2016
  • Label: independent
Beautiful Struggle
  • Released: March 11, 2016
  • Label: Mozzy
Mandatory Check 11 7 26 6
Lil Timothy n' Thingz
  • Released: July 29, 2016
  • Label: Mozzy
1 Up Top Finna Drop (EP)
  • Released: November 16, 2016
  • Label: Mozzy / Empire Distribution
Fake Famous
  • Released: January 26, 2017
  • Label: Mozzy / Empire Distribution
Spiritual Conversations (EP)
  • Released: March 2, 2018
  • Label: Mozzy / Empire Distribution
18
Internal Affairs
  • Released: May 28, 2019
  • Label: Mozzy / Empire Distribution
Kollect Kall (EP)
  • Released: April 7, 2023
  • Label: Mozzy / Collective Music Group / Interscope

Singles

As lead artist

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[47]
US
R&B/HH
[48]
US
Rap

[49]
AUS
[50]
CAN
[51]
IRE
[52]
UK
[53]
WW
[54]
"I Ain't Perfect"
[55]
2020
  • RIAA: Gold
Beyond Bulletproof
"Pricetag"
[56]
"Last One Standing"
202178 31 25 70 38 47 46 53

As featured artist

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Bub.

[58]
US
R&B/HH
US
Rap

"Mando"
2017
  • RIAA: Gold
One of One
"Steppers"
20224 26 25Gangsta Art

Other charted and certified songs

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Bub.

US
R&B/HH
"Sleep Walkin"2017
  • RIAA: Gold
1 Up Top Ahk
"Excuse Me"
  • RIAA: Gold
Legendary Gangland and Gangland Landlord
"Gangsta Art"
202217 41Gangsta Art

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ACE Repertory.
  2. News: Saponara . Michael . Mozzy Arrested for Gun Possession in Las Vegas: Report . 22 May 2019 . . 9 July 2018.
  3. Web site: From the streets to stardom: Is Sacramento rapper Mozzy the next big thing?. Sacbee.com. 2017-08-23.
  4. News: Giorgis . Hannah . The Powerful, Pained Raps of Sacramento's Mozzy . 22 May 2019 . . 5 October 2018.
  5. Web site: Sacramento Sensation Mozzy Courts Offers From Epic and Atlantic - XXL. XXL Mag. 14 November 2018.
  6. 40 Best Rap Albums of 2015. Rolling Stone. December 23, 2015. 23 August 2017.
  7. Web site: Sacramento Rapper Mozzy Had the Best Run of 2015 - Complex. David Drake. 16 December 2015. Complex. 18 March 2016.
  8. Anderson . Trevor . September 30, 2021 . Mozzy Scores First Top 10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart With 'Trauma' . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427233446/https://www.billboard.com/pro/mozzy-untreated-trauma-top-10-rb-hip-hop-albums-chart/ . April 27, 2022 . Billboard.
  9. Web site: Sacramento gangster rapper Mozzy is now one of the music industry's most wanted commodities - Feature Story - Local Stories - March 17, 2016. Antioch News & Review. 2016-03-17.
  10. Web site: Who the Hell Is Mozzy, the Antioch Rapper Who Has the Whole West Coast's Attention?. NOISEY. 18 March 2016.
  11. Web site: YG Releases Two New Songs "Goapele Freestyle," & "City Mad". Vibe. 18 March 2016.
  12. Web site: Nef the Pharaoh Is Taking Off: Listen to His New Mixtape with Cardo, 'Neffy Got Wings' . Nosiey.vice.com. 2016-03-17.
  13. Web site: Mozzy Has Been True To Sacramento. Now He's Gunning For The World.. Thefader.com. 14 November 2018.
  14. Web site: Lil Timothy n' Thingz (2008 Era) by Mozzy on Apple Music. iTunes.apple.com. July 29, 2016. 2016-08-23.
  15. Web site: Mozzy - Chart history - Billboard. Billboard.com. 14 November 2018.
  16. Web site: Strauss . Matthew . February 4, 2017 . Mozzy: Fake Famous Album Review . July 18, 2023 . Pitchfork.
  17. Tardio . Andres . August 22, 2017 . Mozzy Talks New Album '1 Up Top Ahk', Trauma & Hip-Hop's Therapeutic Impact . July 18, 2023 . Billboard.
  18. Web site: Blackwell . Marcus . June 30, 2019 . REVIEW: MOZZY'S "INTERNAL AFFAIRS" ALBUM IS ANOTHER WIN FOR THE WEST & HIM . July 18, 2023 . HipHopDX.
  19. Web site: Song Review-Bail Bond by Mozzy & Gunplay. October 31, 2019.
  20. Web site: Mozzy Delivers Fifth Studio Album 'Beyond Bulletproof'. Hypebeast. Ingvaldsen. Torsten. May 1, 2020. May 3, 2020.
  21. BillboardCharts. 1259969070147010560. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2). May 11, 2020. May 12, 2020.
  22. Web site: Listen to Mozzy's New Album 'Occupational Hazard'. Complex. Tigg. FNR. September 24, 2020. September 24, 2020.
  23. Web site: Williams . Aaron . April 22, 2021 . YG And Mozzy Form A California Connection In Their 'Bompton To Oak Park' Video . September 3, 2023 . Uproxx.
  24. Web site: First Class . DJ . May 21, 2021 . YG and Mozzy drop off joint album 'Kommunity Service' . September 4, 2023 . Revolt TV.
  25. Web site: Duong . Paul . September 17, 2021 . ALBUM: MOZZY 'UNTREATED TRAUMA' . September 4, 2023 . Rap Radar.
  26. Anderson . Trevor . September 30, 2021 . Mozzy Scores First Top 10 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart With 'Trauma' . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427233446/https://www.billboard.com/pro/mozzy-untreated-trauma-top-10-rb-hip-hop-albums-chart/ . April 27, 2022 . Billboard.
  27. Web site: September 29, 2021 . Eminem Joins Skylar Grey, Polo G, & Mozzy on 'Last One Standing' . September 3, 2023 . Rap-Up.
  28. February 12, 2022 . Yo Gotti Signs Mozzy to CMG, Announces New Joint Project for EST Gee & 42 Dugg . September 3, 2023 . Billboard.
  29. Web site: Vigil . Dom . February 11, 2022 . Mozzy Recruits Roddy Ricch for New Track, "Real Ones" . September 4, 2023 . Prelude Press.
  30. Web site: Kelly . Dylan . July 22, 2022 . Mozzy Delivers New Album 'Survivor's Guilt' Featuring 2 Chainz, Roddy Ricch, and more . September 4, 2023 . Hypebest.
  31. Web site: Sacramento News & Review - Sacramento struggles to understand its 'hybrid' gang problem as social media sparks local beefs - News - Local Stories - April 10, 2014. Sacramento News & Review. April 9, 2014. 18 March 2016.
  32. Web site: "Sacramento is Where I Call Home": An Interview with Mozzy. 17 January 2017. Passionweiss.com. 14 November 2018.
  33. Web site: Mozzy Begins Yearlong Federal Prison Sentence . . July 29, 2022 .
  34. News: "Mozzy Released From Prison Early In Gun Case" . .
  35. Mozzy Chart History - Billboard 200 . Billboard . April 30, 2024.
  36. Mozzy Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  37. Mozzy Chart History: Top Rap Albums . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  38. Mozzy Chart History: Independent Albums . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  39. Web site: Mozzy - Untreated Trauma . September 17, 2021 . Apple Music . 2021-09-17.
  40. Web site: Mozzy - Survivor's Guilt . July 22, 2022 . Apple Music . July 21, 2022.
  41. billboardcharts. 1785072553901334980. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200.... April 29, 2024. April 30, 2024.
  42. Web site: Yo Gotti and CMG The Label paints some 'Gangsta Art' on new album . Revolt.
  43. 1551624774966804480. billboardcharts. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2).... July 25, 2022. July 26, 2022.
  44. Web site: Schube . Will . GloRilla, Yo Gotti, EST Gee, And More Star On CMG The Label's 'Gangsta Art 2' . udiscovermusic . 30 September 2023.
  45. 1711392144924016752. billboardcharts. October 9, 2023 . Debuts on this week's #Billboard200... . October 9, 2023.
  46. Mozzy Chart History: Heatseekers Albums . May 26, 2023 . Billboard.
  47. Mozzy Chart History: Billboard Hot 100 . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  48. Mozzy Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  49. Mozzy Chart History: Hot Rap Songs . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  50. October 11, 2021 . The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 October 2021 . The ARIA Report . . 1649 . 4.
  51. Mozzy Chart History: Canadian Hot 100 . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  52. Web site: Discography Mozzy . May 5, 2023 . irishcharts.com.
  53. Web site: SKYLAR GREY/POLO G/MOZZY full Official Chart History . May 5, 2023 . Official Charts Company.
  54. Mozzy Chart History: Global 200 . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.
  55. Web site: Mozzy & Blxst Teams Up On "I Ain't Perfect". HotNewHipHop. Aron. A.. March 30, 2020. December 31, 2023.
  56. Web site: The Ones: Mozzy's "Pricetag" [ft. Polo G & Lil Poppa] ]. May 5, 2023 . Pitchfork.
  57. Web site: Gold & Platinum: Mozzy . May 5, 2023 . RIAA.
  58. Mozzy Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100 . May 5, 2023 . Billboard.