With their debut album, Legal Drug Money, The Lost Boyz were one of the most exciting groups in Hip-Hop, in the mid-90s. Songs like “Renee“, “Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz” and “Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless” had clubs, radios and car stereos on lock in 1996. Their run would extend for 3 albums, in as many years, until it came to a tragic end with the death of group member, Freaky Tah.

Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)

After Freaky Tah’s death, Mr. Cheeks, seen by many as the group’s leader, struck out on his own. Solo, he had tremendous success with songs like “Lights, Camera, Action,” and its remix featuring Missy Elliott and Puff Daddy. After another 3 albums in 3 years, however, he would virtually disappear from the music scene, dropping only a single here and there between 2004 and 2015. While Mr. Cheeks did not release much music during that 10+ year time period, it appears he was still hard at work, behind clothes doors, as, today (May 9), 9th Wonder has released The Lost Tapes with Mr. Cheeks.

In a statement to 2DopeBoyz, which premiered the 6-song EP, 9th said of the project ““I first connected with Mr. Cheeks in 2008, who has always had a close relationship with North Carolina. After I opened BrightLady Studios in 2010, one of the first artists to bless the booth in Jamla’s new home was Mr. Cheeks. Seven years later, after speaking with Mr. Cheeks’ manager Janet Williams of The Matriarch Agency, who has always supported the Jamla family, we decided to let these fly.”

The Lost Tapes are entirely produced by The Illustrious Soul Council, featuring two tracks by AMP and four by 9th Wonder. The EP is filled with the Council’s signature soulful sounds and Cheeks’ silky delivery. Though he may not have controlled the mic as much over the last 10 years as he did the first 10 years of his career, Cheeks still sounds in top form.