The LOX Chopped It Up On the Wendy Williams Show
By Jay P. Chisolm (Shaheed M. Allah) 12/21/18 5:00 PM
Washington, DC – On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the LOX, that legendary HIP HOP group, originally from BAD BOY Records, appeared on the Wendy Williams Show in New York City. It’s been twenty years since their iconic album Money, Power, Respect debuted and rocked da charts! And, from the looks of things, the LOX, who are currently working on new material under the management of JAY-Z and ROC Nation, are still going strong! They just dropped mad bars at the House of Blues the other night.
All members, originally from the Yonkers section of New York, told Wendy Williams that they met at a very young age when Jadakiss and Sheek Louch were in the eighth grade. Styles P said that he was like Red Man and Jadakiss and Sheek Louch were like EPMD when they met. Styles noted that even back then Jadakiuss and Sheek Louch were very professional. Whereas, most cats were on street corners rapping, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch were already in recording studios. At that time they were talent in the raw with no industry connections.
When asked by Wendy Williams about their creed and unity Jadakis replied: “We made a pact in the beginning that no matter how successful we were or how much money we made, that we would never let anything come between us. And, never let no one get in our ears, individually, and break up what we created.”
On the strength of the LOX’s BAD BOY origins the LOX gave a big shout out to Sean “Puffy” Combs. Sheek Louch extended condolences to Puffy on the recent passing of Kim Porter, the mother of his three children. Louch said that no matter what Puff is going through he is always in good spirits. And, Jadakiss added that the LOX are still tight with Puff. And, they even apologized for some of the past jabs that they aimed at Puff via t-shirts and lyrics.
On remembering Biggie Smalls Styles P told a funny story about how there was this one record that Biggie Smalls did that wasn’t cleared; and Puffy said that they might have to give the proceeds off the sales of the records back. Styles P laughed as he said that Biggie told Puff, “I spent that ‘dime’! Sorry!!” Styles P said that Biggie was funny and had a lot of charisma; and the LOX still consider him to be the King of New York!
In reflecting on Lil Kim, the LOX said they consider Lil Kim to be their little sister; and they are still very much in touch with her. “We rap with Lil Kim a lot. That’s our homey. She supports us. We support her.”
When Wendy Williams asked the LOX about DMX the LOX initially responded with: “Free the Dog! Free the Dog!! Happy Birthday OG!” In response to Wendy Williams’ question regarding DMX’s current incarceration and whether or not he will finally get it right, the LOX had this to say: “I think after this last stint in jail he will finally get it right; come home; and get settled in with his children and family.” Styles P noted that: “What you have to understand is that people are celebrities. But, people are also human. Demons they’re dealing with. Problems on their mind. Troubles… The best thing for us all to do is pray and wish him the best.”
Very importantly, on the subject of new generation HIP HOP, in particular, the MIGOS, Wendy Williams opened up a can by saying: “The MIGOS claim that they are the greatest rap group of all times.” As the audience, in response to Wendy’s statement, laughed, Sheek Louch asked: “Why are ya’ll laughing?” Jadakiss followed up by saying: “The MIGOS should think that they’re the greatest. They should have that kind of confidence.” Sheek Louch added, “But, I heard Lazy Bones of Bones, Thugs and Harmony say this, too. But, at the same time the MIGOS can’t forget about Run DMC!” Styles P followed up by commenting that, “ It’s a balance between you feeling you’re the best and it’s your time. Must be a balance between that and those who came before you. I know we’re (the LOX) are the best rap group! But, we pay homage to NWA, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, Cold Crush Brothers, Wu Tang Clan…”
Before closing out this dynamic interview by performing two of their all time bangas (“Money, Power, Respect” and “All About the Benjamins”) the LOX talked about their children and their new Juice Bar stores. Sheek Louch had the audience laughing when Wendy asked him how he managed to only father one child while being so hot in the industry. Louch claims that it was all about him being faithful.
Styles P says that the establishing of their Juice Bars is on the strength of wellness, good health and revitalization. He said at one point the LOX use to eat so much fast food, which is not healthy. He said that he was 240 pounds, had eczema and was in and out of jail. So, he was trying to find ways to better himself. Styles said that they use to go to this juice bar on 125th Street in Harlem. Eventually his business partners Nigel and Leo helped the LOX open their first juice bar on Castle Hill; and it branched out from there. “Juice for Life” can now be found in Yonkers, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
The LOX are a good example of an old school (NYC based) rap group that have survived and thrived their journey in HIP HOP over the decades, while striving to lift others up as they climb. We need more rap groups like this to personify and magnify Black manhood to our youth.