Genres: Rap/Hip Hop,SoundtracksSuga Free, nee Dejuan Rice, was born and raised in Pomona, California. He began his professional rapping career with DJ Quik. Quik produced his first album, Street Gospel. Sales were disappointed and mainstream critics were not friendly, but the underground community hailed it as a “street classic,”
Suga Free
Hip Hop is going where Hip Hop is going. I mean when you look at Jazz and Rock & Roll and all that, Hip Hop is still new. It can go any way. I just kick back, smoke and enjoy the show.
The Beginnings
Suga Free, nee Dejuan Rice, was born and raised in Pomona, California. He began his professional rapping career with DJ Quik. Quik produced his first album, Street Gospel. Sales were disappointed and mainstream critics were not friendly, but the underground community hailed it as a “street classic,” and it immediately gained him an underground following, particularly in his area of California.
Suga Free's second album, The New Testament, was released in 2004. It debuted at #72 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and was also produced by DJ Quik. The album featured guest appearances from Kokane, Hi-C, and Chingy. Also in 2004, Suga Free collaborated with Snoop Dogg and appeared on his release, So Fly.
In the Spotlight
With a couple of albums released, fans and rappers were beginning to take notice of Suga Free and where his real talent lay. He could rap very fast but still be articulate. He could change rhythms mid stream and was able to rap in syncopated rhythms with ease. His sound was a novelty and is talent was indisputable. He released his third album, Just Add Water in 2006. His record sales, overall, do not reflect the general popularity he was enjoying. His fanbase is not huge, but it is very loyal.
Suga Free has continued to record an album ever year, with his current project due out later in 2010. His albums have been improving in the reviews they receive and his fanbase, which exists primarily in the western part of the country stays hungry for whatever music he is able to feed them. His website leads fans to singles and albums available for download, and to videos available for viewing.
2010 and Beyond
With a new album due out this year, Suga Free has spent a lot of his time in the studio. He has also been working on collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, El DeBarge, and Playa Hamm, to name a few.
An additional project Suga Free is working on is a new music studio in Big Bear, Calfornia. He told one interviewer that this is the next step in his career. He has “latched on” to music and he wants to do it right.
Did you know . . .
Suga Free started rapping with his friends when he was 15 years old.
Suga Free is known for his sense of humor and his references to Nickelodeon cartoons.
He is one of actor Jamie Kennedy's favorite artists.