Artist Name: Crooked I
Real Name: Dominick Wickliffe
Location: Long Beach, California - Live Bossy City
Record Label: Dynasty Entertainment(2004 - Present)
Former Labels: Virgin Records(1995 - 1997), DPG Records(1998), Death Row Records(1999 - 2004)
Albums: Untouchable(2000, Death Row - Unreleased), Say Hi To The Bad Guy(2001, Death Row - Unreleased)
Mixtapes: Westcoastanostra Vol. 1(2003), Young Boss Vol. 1(2004), Young Boss Vol. 2(2006)
About Crooked I
Crooked I is a rapper from Long Beach, California. After more than ten years on the West Coast rap scene, marked by difficult dealings with record companies, he will release his first album, "Boss Music" in 2007.
Gangsterism is an important theme in Crooked I's lyrics, but he wants to change the way it is usually portrayed. "A lot of people think that gangsterism is being a cutthroat person and it’s not. Gangsterism has a lot to do with honor, respect, loyalty. These dudes out here in the industry don’t understand that whole concept.
If they were really gangster, we would be a lot more prosperous over here." While developing his album, he traveled around the United States in order to incorporate a variety of lyrical and musical influences and produce a sound with nationwide appeal. Knowledge and learning are also important to Crooked I, providing the basis for his elaborate lyrics. Crooked I intends to make an impact as both an artist and a businessman.
Throughout his career, he has paid attention to the business side as well as the creative side of making music. He hopes to unify and transform the West Coast music scene to create more opportunities for artists to gain visibility.