Mr. Cheeks Explained

Mr. Cheeks
Birth Name:Terrance Cocheeks Kelly[1]
Birth Date:28 March 1971
Birth Place:Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genre:Hip hop
Occupation:Rapper
Years Active:1991–present
Label:Universal, Diane's Boy
Past Member Of:Lost Boyz

Terrance Cocheeks Kelly (born March 28, 1971), known professionally as Mr. Cheeks, is an American rapper from South Jamaica, Queens. He is best known for his 2001 single "Lights, Camera, Action!" (featuring Missy Elliott, P. Diddy and Petey Pablo), which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior, he performed as a member of the hip hop group Lost Boyz from 1995 to 1999, and thereafter signed with Universal Records to pursue a solo career.

"Lights, Camera, Action!" preceded the release of his debut studio album John P. Kelly (2001), which was met with moderate critical and commercial reception along with its follow up, Back Again! (2003). He is also known for guest appearance on Lil' Kim's 2003 single "The Jump Off," which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Biography

1991–2019: Lost Boyz

Mr. Cheeks, who was mentored by his uncle Gil Scott-Heron, along with bandmates Freaky Tah (1971–1999), Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou made up Lost Boyz. The Lost Boyz practiced a sincere, literate, non-sensational style of New York hip-hop and produced a number of singles including; "Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless" (1994), "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" (1995) and "Renee" (1996). Lost Boyz gained worldwide critical acclaim following the release of the albums; Legal Drug Money in 1996, Love, Peace & Nappiness in 1997, LB IV Life in 1999, LB Next Generation in 2019 and Legacy in 2020.

2001–09: Solo career

Mr. Cheeks became a solo artist in 2001. His debut solo album, John P. Kelly, named for both his cousin and his grandfather, featured the hit single "Lights, Camera, Action!". The album also included a collaboration with longtime friend and business partner, Stephen Marley, (son of reggae artist Bob Marley) featuring the ballad "Till We Meet Again" (recorded in Freaky Tah's memory) and the reggae-flavored "Mama Say". In 2003, Mr. Cheeks released the follow-up album, Back Again![2] The single off the album was "Crush On You" and it featured Mario Winans. In the fall of 2003, Cheeks separated from Universal, forming his own label, Diane's Boyz. Cheeks was also featured on Lil' Kim's single, "The Jump Off."

Discography

Solo albums

with Lost Boyz

Renee - Legal Drug Money - 1996

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[3]
US
R&B
[4]
US
Rap

[5]
US
Rhyth.

[6]
"Lights, Camera, Action!"200114 1 1 25John P. Kelly
"Friday Night"
(featuring Horace Brown)
200287 16
"Crush on You"
(featuring Mario Winans)
200352 Back Again!
"What We Do"2006rowspan="2"
"The Ryan Show Theme Song"
(featuring Hamptons Dave and Ryan Verneuille)
2020
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

As featured artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
US
R&B
US
Rap

US
Rhyth.

AUS
[7]
BEL
(FL)
[8]
GER
[9]
ITA
[10]
NLD
[11]
UK
[12]
"The Jump Off"
(Lil' Kim featuring Mr. Cheeks)
200317 8 7 8 59 27 78 20 83 16La Bella Mafia

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mr. Cheeks on ASCAP.com.
  2. Mr Cheeks back again on new album . Billboard. March 23, 2015.
  3. Web site: Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot 100 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191230020633/https://www.billboard.com/music/Mr-Cheeks/chart-history/HSI . December 30, 2019 . January 21, 2024 . Billboard.
  4. Web site: Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191229211957/https://www.billboard.com/music/Mr-Cheeks/chart-history/BSI . December 29, 2019 . January 21, 2024 . Billboard.
  5. Web site: Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191229165749/https://www.billboard.com/music/Mr-Cheeks/chart-history/RAP . December 29, 2019 . January 21, 2024 . Billboard.
  6. Web site: Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Rhythmic Songs . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20191229231610/https://www.billboard.com/music/Mr-Cheeks/chart-history/TFC . December 29, 2019 . January 21, 2024 . Billboard.
  7. Web site: The ARIA Report: Issue 689 (Week Commencing 5 May 2003) . dead . https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030506140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20030507-0000/Issue689.pdf . February 23, 2008 . January 21, 2024 . . 3.
  8. Web site: Discografie Mr. Cheeks . January 21, 2024 . ultratop.be . Dutch.
  9. Web site: Discographie von Mr. Cheeks . January 21, 2024 . . German.
  10. Web site: Single Top 20 – 08/05/2003 . January 21, 2024 . italiancharts.com.
  11. Web site: Discografie Mr. Cheeks . January 21, 2024 . dutchcharts.nl . Dutch.
  12. Web site: Lil' Kim Ft Mr Cheeks . January 21, 2024 . Official Charts Company.