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| KXNG Crooked | |
|---|---|
| Name | KXNG Crooked |
| Birth name | Dominick Antron Wickliffe |
| Birth date | 31 December 1976 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Aftermath Entertainment, Duck Down Music, Serengeti Records |
| Associated acts | Crooked I, Slaughterhouse, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube |
KXNG Crooked is an American rapper, songwriter, and activist known for his work in West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, and conscious rap. He gained prominence as a founding member of the group Crooked I and later as part of the supergroup Slaughterhouse, collaborating with artists from Detroit and New York City. His career spans solo albums, guest features, and political engagement tied to urban issues in Los Angeles.
Dominick Antron Wickliffe was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in neighborhoods shaped by the cultural forces of South Central Los Angeles, Compton, and nearby communities. He attended local schools and immersed himself in the regional scenes alongside peers influenced by figures like Ice Cube, N.W.A, and Tupac Shakur, while consuming broadcasts from stations such as KDAY and Power 106 (Los Angeles). His formative years included exposure to street-level organizations, community groups, and church programs common to Los Angeles County youth, which informed his lyrical focus and later public advocacy.
Wickliffe began performing in the early 1990s on the Los Angeles underground circuit, releasing mixtapes and appearing on compilations alongside artists associated with Mobb Deep, The Notorious B.I.G., and Snoop Dogg. He adopted the stage name Crooked I during early releases and later rebranded as KXNG Crooked, releasing projects through independent and major outlets including Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records affiliates. As a solo artist he issued a series of albums, EPs, and mixtapes that led to a place in the supergroup Slaughterhouse with Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce da 5'9". He has worked in studio sessions with producers such as Dr. Dre, J Dilla, DJ Premier, and Just Blaze, and performed at venues and festivals that featured lineups with Jay-Z, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem.
His lyrical style combines the narrative density of Tupac Shakur, the technical precision associated with Eminem, and the street reportage of Ice Cube and Rakim. Production choices on his records reflect influences from producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Dilla, blending boom bap, West Coast G-funk, and contemporary trap elements heard in collaborations with Metro Boomin-era artists. Thematically, his work channels topics explored by Public Enemy, KRS-One, and The Roots, including social justice, policing, and systemic inequities in Los Angeles, while also addressing personal struggles reminiscent of narratives from Scarface and 50 Cent.
Throughout his career he has collaborated with a wide range of artists and institutions, from West Coast veterans like Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Dr. Dre to East Coast contemporaries such as Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Royce da 5'9". He has been affiliated with collectives and labels connected to Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and independent imprints that worked with acts like Mobb Deep, The Lox, and Joey Bada$$. His guest features include tracks alongside Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Talib Kweli, and he has participated in benefit shows and panels with organizations tied to Black Lives Matter activists, NAACP chapters, and civic leaders from Los Angeles City Council.
As a solo artist and member of groups, his output includes studio albums, mixtapes, and collaborative records released across independent and major labels. Notable releases feature production or guest spots from Dr. Dre, Eminem, DJ Premier, J Dilla, and appearances on compilations alongside Jay-Z, Nas, and Kanye West. He has toured on bills with 50 Cent, The Game, and Eminem and released projects that charted regionally on outlets tracked by industry entities such as Billboard.
Over the years he has been involved in disputes common to high-profile hip hop figures, including contract disagreements with labels, public disagreements with fellow artists like moments similar to feuds involving Ja Rule and Eminem, and incidents that drew media attention in Los Angeles County outlets. He has addressed policing and criminal justice topics publicly and engaged with advocacy groups including Black Lives Matter and community legal clinics tied to Los Angeles County Bar Association initiatives.
Outside music he has participated in civic engagement, youth mentorship programs partnered with organizations such as United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and local Los Angeles nonprofits. His legacy is noted for bridging regional West Coast traditions with national hip hop movements, influencing younger artists from Compton, Inglewood, and South Los Angeles, and contributing to dialogues alongside figures like Kendrick Lamar, André 3000, and Common. He continues to record, collaborate, and speak on issues intersecting culture and policy in forums that include panels at institutions such as USC, UCLA, and community centers across California.
Category:American rappers Category:People from Los Angeles