Soopafly
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Soopafly is a producer/rapper from Long Beach, California. His real name is Priest Brooks.
Though a rather prominent member of Tha Dogg Pound in later days, he got his start as a professional artist somewhat later than many other members like Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, RBX or Warren G when featuring in 1996 on Snoop's Tha Doggfather album by rapping on You Thought (along with Too $hort) in addition to producing some tracks on the album.
As a producer, Soopafly started behind the scenes in 1994 by helping both Dr. Dre and Dat Nigga Daz craft their beats at Death Row Records, however, it was not until later days Soopafly himself produced and was credited for it. Since 1997 he produced for Death Row acts while also making an album for himself, which was to be named Like it or not. Like many projects of Death Row artists this work was shelved. This was when his relationship with Death Row started to sour. Eventually,he left in 1999 after having to file bankrupty. He then joined his longtime friend Daz on DPG Recordz, while also introducing the world to soulful singer LaToiya Williams for whom he both wrote and produced. In 2000, both he and LaToiya left Daz to join Snoop's newly installed and prestigious Dogghouse Records, later named Doggystyle Records. Up to this day he remains at this label, without plans for an album coming out however. Soopafly has no official album out, but in 2001 Daz released a number of tracks left over from 'Like it or not' and some previously released ones as a compilation titled Dat Whoopty Woop.
Soopafly's production-style evolved significantly over the years,from rather conventional G-Funk beats to futuristic, experimental and not entirely unlike those of hitmaking duo The Neptunes.