The HBK Gang (abbreviation for the Heartbreak Gang) is an American hip-hop collective based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by Iamsu!, Chief, Skipper, and P-Lo in 2008, members also include singer Kehlani and rapper-producers Sage the Gemini, IsThatCJ, Rossi, Dave Steezy, Jay Ant, and Kool John. After contributing to various mixtapes, including Iamsu's Kilt II, in August 2013, the group released their debut mixtape, Gang Forever. HBK Gang Records is an associated independent record label.

History

Founding HBK Gang is primarily composed of colleagues who met while attending high school in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Pinole. The collective was founded in 2008, while many involved were still in school. By 2013, its members included Iamsu!, Kool John, P-Lo, Sage the Gemini, Skipper (or $kip), CJ, singer Rossi, Dave Steezy, and Jay Ant (or Jay Anthony). Iamsu! first began to form and organize the group in 2011.

Iamsu!, hailing from Richmond, California, was a fan of artists such as Kanye West, R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Marching Band, as well as reggae music. He became acquainted with P-Lo in 2005, and later began working as a rapper and producer himself. P-Lo, inspired by Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout (2004), began creating beats in his youth. P-Lo most notably produced Wiz Khalifa's "Bout Me" and Yo Gotti's single "Act Right," the latter of which entered the Billboard Hot 100. P-Lo joined Iamsu! in the formation of the production team "The Invasion" shortly after their meeting, starting a trend of collaboration between future members. Iamsu! also collaborated with Sage the Gemini on his single "Gas Pedal" in March 2013, which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it both artists' first top 40 hit.

Early releases The Heartbreak Gang was performing and releasing music as early as 2011 and in August 2011, performed at the debut release party for Tha Outfit's "Like My Bass" music video. The group featured artists Dave Steezy and Mike Dash-E in their music, releasing the track "Gettin' It", featuring Kool John, in 2012. In January 2013, Iamsu! was a guest for Jonn Hart on Hart's "Who Booty" video.

The crew contributed to all of Iamsu's mixtapes, including Kilt II in June 2013, with other guest appearances including Problem, Juvenile, Ty Dolla Sign, Terrace Martin, Tank, and Mistah F.A.B.

Gang Forever (2013) HBK Gang released their debut compilation mixtape, Gang Forever, on August 12, 2013. It includes 17 tracks featuring different members of the collective. Much of the album's production was handled by the Invasion (the production team of Iamsu!, P-Lo, Kuya Beats, Jay Ant, HBK Joe and Chief), with tracks also produced by Cardo, AKA Frank, Kuya Beats, Sage the Gemini, and Jay Ant.

Touring, music videos The collective toured the western United States during September and August 2013, hitting locations such as Seattle, Spokane, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, and Reno, Nevada. Titled the HBK Forever Tour, it featured Iamsu! as headliner and Kool John and Jay Ant as support. Hip-hop dancing is an important element of the live shows. According to Sage the Gemini, dancing is also a key aspect of the group's creative process. The collective has released both tour videos and a number of music videos for their songs, including "Go Crazy".

Members Current Iamsu! – group founder, hip hop recording artist and producer from Richmond, California Skipper – rapper Sage the Gemini – hyphy and hip hop recording artist from Fairfield, California, who released "Gas Pedal" in 2013. P-Lo – rapper/member of the production team the Invasion CJ – also goes by *HBK CJ and *IsThatCJ Jay Anthony – rapper/member of the production team the Invasion Kool John – rapper Rossi – vocals Azure – DJ/rapper Dave Steezy – rapper Kehlani – singer Kid Rich – rapper Dee Dot Jones - rapper/producer

Record label

HBK Gang is also the name of a record label, which as of 2013 has released most of Iamsu!'s mixtapes and albums, including Su! The Right Thing (2010), Young California (2011), Kilt (2012), Stoopid (2012), and $uzy 6 $peed (2012). 2013 saw the release of his album Million Dollar Afro, which also features Problem and was coreleased on Problem's label Diamond Lane Music Group. Iamsu!'s Kilt II mixtape followed in 2013, while the HBK Gang's first mixtape, Gang Forever, was released in August 2013. The label's first in-store release was Iamsu!'s debut album, Sincerely Yours, which was released on May 13, 2014.

+ Releases from HBK Gang Records Year Title Artist 2010Su! The Right ThingIamsu! 2011Young CaliforniaIamsu! 2011The Miseducation Of IAmSuIamsu! 2011#IAmMostRachet Jay Ant 2012$uzy 6 $peedIamsu! 2012WETSkipper 2012StoopidIamsu! and Jay Ant 2012KiltIamsu! 2012MBMGCP-Lo 2013Million Dollar AfroIamsu! and Problem 2013CJ 2.0HBK CJ 2013Blue MoneyMick Boogie Presents: Jay Ant 2013Kilt 2Iamsu! 2013Peace, Love and $hmoplifeKool John 2013ChillDrinkF*ckSmokeKool John 2013Gang ForeverHBK Gang 2013MBMGC 2P-Lo 2014WET2Skipper 2014Sincerely YoursIamsu! 2014$hmop CityKool John 2014Remember MeSage the Gemini 2015All Eyes On MeIamsu! 2015Love and PeaceHBK CJ 2015Moovie!Kool John and P-Lo2015The ThrillSkipper

Discography

Singles 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John 2013: "STU Freestyle"

Mixtapes + Title Album details Gang Forever Released: August 12, 2013 Label: HBK Gang Format: Digital download

Music videos 2012: "Gettin' It" featuring Kool John – directed by Chris Simmons 2013: "STU Freestyle" – directed by tyCA 2013: "Go Crazy" – directed by Daghe 2013: "Bad Boyz" – directed by HBK GADGET 2013: "Losin" – directed by HBK GADGET 2013: "Quit Cattin" – directed by David Camarena 2013:"Rep That Gang" – directed by HBK GADGET 2013: "Father God" – directed by HBK GADGET 2014 "Bad Boyz" – directed by HBK GADGET 2014: "Cover Girl" – directed by HBK GADGET 2015: "L" – directed by HBK GADGET 2015: "Interlude" – directed by HBK GADGET 2015: "Interlude" – directed by HBK GADGET 2016: "Grande" – directed by HBK GADGET 2017: "Gucci" – directed by HBK GADGET 2017: "I Be" – directed by HBK GADGET 2017: "Back 2 Basics" – directed by HBK GADGET 2017: "Su Concert" – directed by HBK GADGET 2018: "Young Boy" – directed by HBK GADGET 2018: "Freestyle" – directed by HBK GADGET 2018: "Lee Pipes" – directed by HBK GADGET

See also Hyphy List of West Coast hip hop artists

References

External links The HBK Gang on YouTube The HBK Gang on SoundCloud)