Kottonmouth Kings (often referred to as KMK or the King Klick) are an indie rap group from Placentia, California. Formed in 1994, by Brad "Daddy X", under the name P-Town Ballas or simply PTB. The name of the group is derived from the effect of dryness of the mouth induced by cannabis use, often called "cottonmouth." They are a powerful force in the underground rap scene, with a particularly strong following in Southern California and the Western United States.
Self-described "
psychedelic hip-hop punk rock" outfit the Kottonmouth Kings emerged from Orange County, California in 1994. Comprising former Humble Gods frontman Brad Daddy X, rappers Saint Dog and D-Loc, DJ Bobby B, and "visual assassin" Pakelika, the group first attracted attention with the track "Suburban Life," which appeared on the soundtrack from the film Scream 2 and became a modern rock radio hit. After issuing an EP, Stoners Reeking Havoc, on their own Suburban Noize label in early 1998, the Kottonmouth Kings released the full-length Royal Highness on Capitol that summer. Hidden Stash followed a year later, and their fourth album, High Society pushed them into the mainstream.
Following the release of Hidden Stash, Saint Dog left the Kottonmouth Kings to pursue a solo career and to work with his brother Big Hoss, recently released from prison. Not long after the departure of Saint Dog, the affiliate of Kottonmouth Kings Johnny Richter joined the group. They quickly got to work laying down the songs that are heard on High Society.
Kottonmouth Kings had gigs with Bionic Jive in fall of 2001, further promoting their mainstream success, just prior to the release of Hidden Stash II: The Kream of the Krop. A sixth studio album, Rollin' Stoned, which was produced by Brad X, appeared in October of 2002. The self-explanatory Classic Hits Live was released in 2003 while the band continued their expansion of the Suburban Noize record label, putting out DVDs and CDs by rappers and punk bands. Their 2004 release, Fire It Up, came out on April 20th, 2004, to coincide with cannabis culture holiday 420. The Kings returned in 2005 with their eleventh album, a self-titled record that featured like-minded guests such as Cypress Hill and Tech N9ne. The tour was postoned, however, due to rapper D-Loc sustaining a foot injury. Koast II Koast became the band's fourteenth album in June of 2006, while Hidden Stash III was released late in 2006.
Band Members:
Daddy X
D-Loc
Richter
Dj Bobby B
Pakelika
Lou Dog
