Guest
Tha Alkaholiks Early Years J-Ro had been rapping since the age of 13, and E-Swift and Tash (short for “Ca-TAS[H]-trophe) already had an established partnership (E-Swift the DJ, Tash the rapper) for local gigs and house parties; after E-Swift and Tash moved to Los Angeles, they met LA native J-Ro and formed a group. The three friends took the name Alkaholiks on the suggestion of West Coast veteran King Tee, who for some time had been looking for a back-up band to mentor. Tha Alkaholiks first achieved recognition after appearing on Tee’s Tha Triflin Album, and most importantly its successful single “I Got It Bad Y’All“. Support slots on tour with KRS-One, Ice Cube, and Too Short followed, which helped them develop their skills as well as a fanbase. Their debut album 21 & Over released in 1993 (see 1993 in music) was a lean 10-track set that spawned the singles “Make Room“, “Only When I’m Drunk“ and “Likwit“, as well as establishing them as one of the most distinctive artists on the West Coast at a time when the vast majority of Californian artists were subscribing to the G-funk gangsta rap sound popularized by Dr. Dre. 21 And Over remains highly regarded by critics such as Allmusic’s Nathan Rabin, who calls it “perhaps the quintessential West Coast party album“.
