Today, platinum-selling recording artist and member of the renowned group The Lox, Sheek Louch returns with his Halloween themed EP Gorillaween Vol. 6.
This highly anticipated EP showcases Sheek Louch’s signature lyrical prowess and gritty sound, featuring tracks that pay homage to the Halloween spirit. The project’s lead single “Trinity Talk” features his brothers/partners in rhyme Jadakiss and Styles P.
Gorillaween Vol. 6 is a thrilling ride filled with haunting beats, clever wordplay, and the raw energy that has made Sheek a household name. Fans can expect samples and references to classic horror films and themes. The project embodies the essence of Halloween while remaining true to Sheek Louch’s authentic style as he continues the annual tradition of fusing horror themes with the grit of hip-hop.
Sheek’s Gorillaween Vol. 6 is the next installment of the Gorillaween series which has become a yearly, Halloween traditionand is the follow up to Gorillaween Vol. 5. The new EP also comes off the heels of the group’s hit track “Money, Power, Respect” earning a platinum plaque.
Sheek Louch, a vital member of the legendary hip-hop group The LOX and a respected solo artist, has significantly shaped the East Coast rap scene. His gritty lyrical style and authentic portrayal of street life have earned him acclaim in the hip-hop community. As of 2024, Louch’s contributions to The LOX, his successful solo projects, and various business ventures have culminated in a net worth of $4 million, according to Equity Atlas. This figure not only represents his financial achievements but also his enduring influence in the genre.
Career Highlights: A Pillar Of The LOX & Beyond
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P of The LOX. Attend the 4th Annual TIDAL X: Brooklyn at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 23, 2018. In New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TIDAL)
Sheek Louch’s journey in hip-hop is marked by his foundational role in The LOX, alongside Jadakiss and Styles P. The group’s raw and unfiltered approach to rap, with albums like Money, Power & Respect and We Are the Streets, has left an indelible mark on hip-hop. Louch’s solo career, including albums like Silverback Gorilla, has further showcased his prowess as a lyricist and his ability to command a presence as a solo artist.
Beyond Music: Business Ventures & Community Engagement
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Sheek Louch of The Lox poses backstage also during Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset. At Madison Square Garden on August 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
In addition to his music career, Sheek Louch has ventured into various business endeavors. This demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit. His involvement in the music industry extends beyond performing, encompassing production and artist development roles. Louch’s commitment to his community and efforts to uplift upcoming artists highlight his dedication to fostering new talent and giving back.
Sheek Louch’s personal journey also adds depth to his public image. His journey from the streets of Yonkers to hip-hop stardom is a tale of talent and adaptability. Louch’s experiences have shaped his approach to music and life. This resonates with fans who admire his authenticity and commitment to his roots.
Impact & Legacy: A Respected Veteran In Hip-Hop
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 21: Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P of The Lox. Attend the Los Angeles Premiere Of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” at Writers Guild of America, West. On June 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)
Reflecting on Sheek Louch’s career is a testament to his status as a respected veteran in hip-hop. His contributions with The LOX and as a solo artist have garnered financial success and cemented his legacy in the music industry. Sheek Louch’s impact on hip-hop is characterized by his distinct lyrical style, role in the evolution of East Coast rap, and influence on future generations of artists.
The Lox may not have reached the universal acclaim or brand recognition of rap groups like NWA or the Wu-Tang Clan yet, but they serve as one of hip hop’s most iconic influences. The Yonkers, New York-based trio has been commonly referred to as your favorite rapper’s favorite rap group, making the lyrically focused iconoclasts some of the most revered performers in the genre. As recently as 2021, the rappers made history in their landmark Verzuz event against the Diplomats and landed a prominent placement on Kanye West’s Donda album.
The trio has continued to make music as a group to this day, though each of the members has gone on to a host of solo projects and extracurricular ventures. The group even received the keys to the city of Yonkers in 2021 after opening a series of public parks, workout stations, and other thriving local businesses. Here’s a look into what Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch have been up to in the last several years.
Jadakiss
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: Jadakiss attends the Starter x MLB Bronx Bubble Jacket Unveiling at the MLB Flagship Store on July 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/WireImage)
Arguably the most recognizable member of The Lox, Jadakiss’ scratchy vocals and harsh delivery can be heard in a host of feature verses with prominent rappers such as Kanye West, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Westside Gunn, and ScHoolboy Q. The rapper has released 6 albums and 6 mixtapes as a solo artist since 2001. Jadakiss released his most recent solo venture, the album Ignatius, in 2020.
After performing alongside his Lox brothers in the 2021 Verzuz match against The Diplomats, Jadakiss and his bandmates scored massive streaming increases. Some sources claim The Lox’s streaming numbers rose by over 215 percent after the live event, with many fans referring to the outing as the best Verzuz battle committed to the stage thus far. In 2022, Jadakiss presented Sheek Louch and Styles P with their own personalized Lox championship rings while the trio shared the stage at LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells festival.
As a revered member of his community, Jadakiss has founded a number of local businesses. One such venture includes the Kiss Cafe, which the rapper launched in late 2022. The cafe serves as a multi-generational family business and is run in collaboration with Jadakiss’ father, Bob Phillips, and the rapper’s son Jaewon.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 02: Styles P speaks onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Like his associates, Styles P serves as a founder and co-owner of D-Block Records. D-Block has served as the home of The Lox’s music since the brand’s release from the Diddy-owned Bad Boy Records in 1999. Styles P serves as the busiest member of the group musically, releasing a staggering 15 solo albums, as well as a wide array of collaborative projects and mixtapes since 2002.
In his personal life, Styles P is a vegan and has partnered with Jadakiss to run the Bronx-based juice bar Juices For Life. The first location opened in 2011 and has since expanded into 6 stores across New York. Styles also started a local health food store called Farmacy for Life in collaboration with his wife in 2018.
Despite his many career successes, Styles has been eyeing the laid-back retirement lifestyle in recent years. Reports indicated that the rapper plans to step down from his position at Juices For Life in October 2022. Likewise, Styles P has made plans to conclude his prolific solo career with two final albums, before shifting his focus to running Farmacy For Life full-time. Though Styles has announced the end of his solo career, he has assured fans that he’s still on board for all future shows, albums, and features alongside The Lox.
Sheek Louch
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 22: Sheek Louch attends the DJ KaySlay Album Listening Party at Quad Studios on June 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage,)
Sheek Louch seems to be the least outgoing member of the group, with very little information on his personal life available to the public. Like many rappers, the Lox artist has a somewhat shady past, including an appearance on the reality television series World’s Wildest Police Videos. Sheek Louch has released 6 solo records since 2003, along with a wide array of mixtapes. The artist has also prominently worked alongside Wu-Tang Clan members such as Ghostface Killah.
As one-third of The Lox, Louch has created some of the hottest hip-hop music known to man, with plenty of legendary rappers citing the influence and scope of the group as nothing short of revolutionary. Sheek has continued to perform with The Lox, including a recent Hip Hop 50 celebration with special guest Mary J. Blige on December 16, 2023.
Sheek Louch recently spoke on Takeoff’s tragic passing and called Migos “The LOX of the South” during a recent interview with VladTV. While the two rap groups seem far apart from each other, the Lox member expressed sadness over the Atlanta pioneer’s loss and admiration for his energy. Moreover, Vlad recalled doing the rap trio’s first ever interview. It was with Quavo and Takeoff, as Offset was incarcerated at the time. Moreover, both hip-hop figures discussed the impact of the group as a whole, acknowledging them as one of the most important of all time.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Takeoff of Migos performs onstage during Global Citizen Live on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
“Since our last interview, we lost Takeoff,” Vlad told Sheek. “You guys, I think, called Migos ‘the LOX of the South.’” Furthermore, the 46-year-old explained his praise for the trap icons. “Yeah,” he expressed, “earlier when they said that they the best group out, they supposed to feel like that. They made a hard impact. I told you how I feel about who is the best groups and all that kind of s**t. But Rest In Peace to that brother. So sad, man. Every time I seen him, he was just cool as hell. You know what I mean? I don’t know too much, but he was just cool, word. Laidback.”
I remember tellin my yougin how I felt like Takeoff was the sheek louch of da migos….my cousin had to PMO & Opened my eyes to his tru value #RIPTakeoff
Furthermore, DJ Vlad elaborated on doing the Migos’ first interview at Coach K’s request, and he didn’t know what they would accomplish. Moreover, they also discussed the danger of dice games, and recalled a story from Tony Yayo about “a friendly shootout” over a dice game. “Them s**ts are dangerous, bro. I do know of a few people that got killed at dice games. But long story short, it always goes down like that. Some kind of fight at the end of the dice game, or your money’s no good. Everybody’s standing around, it’s getting tight, you lost, you ready to leave… It always jumps off on them dice games. Always, faithfully.”
Meanwhile, Sheek Louch recently joined fellow LOX members Jadakiss and Styles P to perform at this year’s Grammys. Moreover, they formed part of a spectacular performance honoring hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and the genre’s greatness. From Grandmaster Flash to Lil Baby, Scarface to Nelly, Queen Latifah to GloRilla, and many more, the art form’s greats wowed audiences. Come back to HNHH for the latest on hip-hop history and the late Takeoff’s legacy.
Kanye West’s anti-semitic comments led many fans to dump his products while his collaborators have seemingly turned their back on him. 2021’s Donda became a huge return for Ye and brought him back in tune with hip-hop’s major players. Megastars like Travis Scott and Lil Baby appeared on Donda, along with legends like Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch.
Unfortunately for Ye, it seems like at least one member of the LOX wouldn’t return to the studio if invited. Sheek Louch recently sat down with DJ Vlad where he stated that he’s “not with anything [Ye’s] talking about, period.” Even though they’ve developed a professional relationship, Sheek Louch explained he doesn’t stand for hateful comments.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 21: Sheek Louch of The Lox performs during the Ruff Ryders and Friends Reunion Tour Past, Present and Future at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on April 21, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/FilmMagic)
“A lot of stuff probably wouldn’t have happened – I’m not talking about no fuckin’ sneaker deals or none of that shit. Say those comments was made before that. You know we wouldn’t have went out there. No one would’ve done nothing.”
From there, he explained that even if another opportunity to collaborate with Ye came about. He explained that he would decline but he wouldn’t do it in a polite manner.
“I’m not doin’ it!” Sheek Louch told Vlad. “I might say the shit Fat Joe said he’ll stab people for,” he added, referencing Joe’s interview where he detailed the repercussions of telling someone, “suck my d*ck.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Kanye West is seen on November 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
“To the frank stand, dawg! I’m not doing it,” he added. “Besides the money, maybe get some help and apologize for all the shit you said to people.”
Last month was quite eventful for The LOX. The group, which consists of Yonkers rappers Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch, began their run with an amazing performance during a Verzuz matchup against Dipset. The appearance inspired people to praise the group, specifically Jadakiss, with many calling him the star of the show. Shortly after, during Kanye West’s second listening party for Donda, The LOX made a surprise appearance on a track we now know as “Jesus Lord Pt. 2.” During a recent interview with HipHopDX, Jadakiss explained how that song came together.
“Someone from ‘Ye’s camp actually reached out to my older son,” the rapper said. “Then ‘Ye called us the next day after Verzuz, he hit me the next morning. We flew straight there (Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium) and went straight to the studio and knocked the song out. Then went and rested and came back the next day and went to the event and flew back.”
Shortly after The LOX dazzled at their Verzuz against Dipset, the group was gifted the key to their hometown of Yonkers by the city’s mayor, Mike Spano. “We recognize LOX,” Spano said during a ceremony for the key. “We’re gonna give this to you. He doesn’t need it. He could go anywhere he wants but this will confirm it all.”
You can watch the rapper’s full interview with HipHopDX in the video above.
at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
