O.F.T.B.

O.F.T.B. (an abbreviation of Operation From The Bottom) was an American hip hop group from the Watts district of Los Angeles, California. The group O.F.T.B. consisted of three founding actual gang members Kevin "Flipside" White, Sammy "Bust Stop" Williams, and Ronald "Low M.B." Watkins, who grew up in Nickerson Gardens Project, which is home to the notorious gang Bounty Hunter Bloods. They were signed to Big Beat Records where they released their debut album Straight Up Watts in 1992 with the hit single "Slangin' Dope".[1]

O.F.T.B.
Also known asOperation From The Bottom
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1992 (1992)–2013 (2013)
Labels
Associated acts
Past membersFlipside (deceased)
Low M.B.
Bust Stop

History

The trio, Flipside,[2] Low M.B., and Bus Stop released Straight Up Watts album on the Atlantic-backed Big Beat Records in 1992.[3] their first single, "Slangin' Dope", received heavy rotation on The Box, which was a local TV channel for Los Angeles that only played requested music videos. Under the guidance of DJ Quik and 2nd II None's manager "Greedy" Greg, the group was soon picked up by Death Row Records.[4] O.F.T.B. appeared on the platinum-selling, Suge Knight / Dr. Dre-produced soundtrack for Above The Rim, as well as the soundtrack for Murder Was The Case.

Death Row Records

The trio appeared on the platinum-selling, Suge Knight and Death Row-produced soundtrack for the 1994 film Above the Rim with tracks, such as "Crack Em" (produced by DJ Quik and Murder Was The Case "Hot One") as well as on the soundtrack for 1997 film Gridlock'd with track "Body & Soul". O.F.T.B. also appeared the Gang Related soundtrack with "Keep Your Eyez Open" in 1997.

With Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur worked with O.F.T.B.[5][6] on several tracks such as "The Struggle Continuez", "Worldwide (Time After Time)" and the original version "Better Dayz". The remake of Better Dayz was released after the death of 2pac on his multi-platinum double-album (Better Dayz). They also made tribute song dedicated to 2Pac and Yaki Kadafi called "Still A Mystery" featuring The Outlawz and Kurupt. 2Pac also mention them in his hit single "To Live And Die In L.A." from The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory In 2013, they digitally released Hostile Environment through Tha Payroll Entertainment.[7]

Flipside's Death

On September 23, 2013, Kevin "Flipside" White and a woman were shot in the 1600 block of East 114th Street in Watts, California.[8][9][10][11][12][13] Flipside was rushed to a hospital and died from multiple gunshot wounds. Ten minutes later, a member of the P Jay Crips, Markice "Chiccen" Brider, was also shot to death. Kevin Phillips, a known member of the Grape Street Watts Crips was charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.[14][15] A funeral service for Kevin White was held at Macedonia Baptist Church in Watts. The funeral had over 700 people in attendance, which included family, friends, and fans. Kevin White was longtime friends with Big Wy, of Damu Ridas and The Relativez, and a mentor to Jay Rock.[16][17]

Discography

Studio albums
  • 1992: Straight Up Watts
  • 2007: Unearthed
  • 2009: The Missing D.R. Files
  • 2011: Damn Near Dead
  • 2013: Hostile Environment

Singles & EPs
  • 1992: "Slangin' Dope"
  • 1992: "Gimme 'Nother Hit "
  • 1994: "Hot One"
  • 1994: "Crack 'Em"
  • 1996: "Check Yo Hood"
  • 1997: "Body And Soul"
  • 1998: "Off The Ringer"
  • 1998: "In Too Deep"

Compilations

Videography

Music videos
Video
"Check Yo Hood"
"Crack Em"
"Piru Love"
"Hey Bounty Hunter"
"They Ain't Ready"
"I Trust Nobody"
"We Fed Up"
"Starvin For It"
"Body And Soul"
"Slangin' Dope"
"They Wont The Ghetto"

See also

References
  1. Slangin' Dope (Vinyl Single) allmusic.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  2. Kevin ‘Flipside’ White (RIP) from O.F.T.B. Interview Part 1 soulcentraltv.net 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  3. O.F.T.B.: A Daily Operation allhiphop.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  4. INTERVIEW WITH O.F.T.B. gamedupmagazine.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  5. O.F.T.B. (June 2011) | Interview By: Chad Kiser dubcnn.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  6. Interview: O.F.T.B Keeps It Real shockya.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  7. Hostile Environment by O.F.T.B. at iTunes. 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  8. Kevin White, 44, The Homicide Report homicide.latimes.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  9. The Life and Death of Rapper Kevin "Flipside" White laweekly.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  10. Rapper Flipside's Murder Has Watts Enemies Agreeing, Revenge Is Stupid laweekly.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  11. Kevin “Flipside” White Of O.F.T.B. Murdered dubcnn.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  12. Former Death Row Records Artist Shot Dead Kevin “Flipside” White of The Watts Group O.F.T.B. hiphopnews24-7.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  13. Breaking: Former Death Row Records Artist Shot Dead allhiphop.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  14. Charges Filed In Murder Of Kevin “Flipside” White Of Rap Group O.F.T.B. xxlmag.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  15. Kevin Phillips Charged With Murder Of Kevin "Flipside" White Of Rap Group O.F.T.B. hiphopdx.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved, 28-05-2014
  16. Jay Rock: Rock Solid allhiphop.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
  17. Jay Rock: From Gangbanging To Banging Beats allhiphop.com 28-05-2014 Retrieved. 28-05-2014
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