Lordz of Brooklyn

In the 1980s and early 1990s, fellow New Yorker Mike McLeer (Kaves) was an esteemed graffiti artist, while his brother Adam McLeer (ADMoney) was a Dj.[1] The McLeer brothers are of mixed Italian, Russian, Irish, English, and Scottish descent.[2] The pair got into breakdancing and would go on to meet rapper Chuck D, for whom Kaves worked on promotion, who suggested that they make demo tapes. Hence they founded the group he Verrazano Boys and eventually changed to Lordz of Brooklyn with a group of friends.[1]

The group was initially formed in 1989, and joining the McLeer brothers was Scotty Westerman (Scotty Edge). In 1992, Dino Cerillo (Bottz), and Paul Nugent (Paulie Two Times) joined.[3]

On June 7, 1994, Donna and Michele Blanchard, the mother and sister of ADM and Kaves aged 43 and 4 respectively, died from a hit-and-run in Brooklyn. It remains unsolved to this day.[4] Kaves described his mother as a hippie who encouraged him and his brother to pursue their interest in hip hop.[5]

In 1995, they released their debut All in the Family,[1] signed to American Recordings/Ventrue. They group had to work hard to convince a label to welcome an Italian white group with gangland imagery. Kaves explained that the objective of the album is to take to on a train ride thought Brooklyn, and make an album that give his mother full credit on the support she gave him. Their first single "Saturday Night Fever" is a tribute to Kaves's favourite film by the same name.[3] It became a underground hit single. It generally received favorable reviews.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Paola Banchero of The Wichita Eagle, said there is "more musical twist than most hip-hop", described it as "gritty", and "good to listen while hanging out with the crew".[13]

In 1997 for soundtrack of the film Gravesend, they provided some exclusive songs.[14]

In 2000, they released the vinyl EP The Lordz of Brooklyn Meet Bumpy Knuckles.[15]

2000 also saw the release of the Lordz of Brooklyn cover version of Run-DMC's hip hop classic "Sucker M.C.'s" on the tribute album Take A Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap. Their version featured Stoned Soul and Everlast.[16]

In 2003 they released, Graffiti Roc.[17] It was rather a compilation of various previously recorded tracks than a studio album. It featured Busta Rhymes, Korn, Rampage, and others. Now, the groups' style leaned towards a crossover sound of both hip hop and rock influences.

By that time, Scotty Edge, Dino Bottz and Paulie 2Times have already left, and the McLeer brothers added live musicians on guitar (Patrick Saccenti), bass and drums to tour festivals such as Vans Warped Tour in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

In 2006, the group shortened their name to "The Lordz" for the release of the third album The Brooklyn Way. Featured artists are longtime collaborator Everlast, Bedouin Soundclash, and Tim Armstrong.[1] Of this album Kaves said "the Lordz' music is positioned at the intersection of punk and hip-hop, and truly reflects its roots".[18]

In 2007, Scotty Edge rejoined the group for their spring tour with Fishbone.

In April 2008, The Lordz had their own reality TV show on Fuse entitled The Brooklyn Way.[19] The show focused footage Kaves shot over the years focusing on their daily lives.[18] Also that year it was announced they would do their fifth stint with the Vans Warped Tour.[19]

Since 2018, they have returned to their Hip-Hop origins, started to use the full name "Lordz Of Brooklyn" again and in 2020 released a new album Family Reunion.