Many hip-hop groups have come and gone, but few have left the kind of impact as Atlanta collective Crime Mob. Forged in one of the rap capitals of the world, the group’s short run in the mid-2000s established them as an act to watch. Unfortunately, they would never reach the heights of their original success and have since disbanded due to issues with individual members.
Crime Mob are said to have formed in 2002 but made their official debut in 2004. The group consisted of six members originally; M.I.G, Cyco Black, Princess, Lil’ Jay, Diamond, and Killa C. They were best known for their two biggest hits, “Knuck If You Buck” and “Rock Yo Hips.” “Knuck” was released on June 29th, 2004, on Reprise records. The song featured a verse from fellow Atlanta native Lil Scrappy. The song peaked at number 76 and was a staple on urban radio and 106 & Park. It would eventually be certified platinum. The song was originally unmixed when it became a hit and was only made with a $1000 budget.
“Rock Yo Hips” would also feature Lil Scrappy and find some success. Debuting in 2006, it was the lead single from their sophomore album and peaked at number 30 on the Billboard hot 100. The official remix featured verses from Young Dro and Rasheeda.
Killa C had missed out on much of the group’s success, having been arrested in 2003 and leaving. In 2020, it was resurfaced that Killa C had actually ‘taken advantage’ of his 6-year-old brother. A report from 2007 details what happened, saying, “Twenty-year-old Killa C, whose real name is Chris Henderson, plead guilty to tjecharges in May of 2005, stemming from a December 2000 incident involving his then six-year-old brother.” C would get into more trouble after being found with illegal substances in 2006 and failing to register as an offender.
Hey, if “Knuck if you Buck” is your protest song. Please be aware that @LILJAYWERKS, the producer is a Trump supporter. (His IG is Lil_Jay_onthetrack).
— Stess The Emcee (@StessTheEmcee) June 27, 2020
Also, Killa C, the last verse on the song, was found guilty of molesting his then 6 year old brother.
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The group would initially disband in 2008, with Diamond becoming their breakout star. She appeared on the 2010 remix of Ludacris’s “My Chick Bad” with Nicki Minaj, Eve, and Trina. Eventually, she would land on reality television due to her relationship with Lil Scrappy. Diamond would leave him and allege to physical abuse in their union.
The group would reunite in 2012 sans Princess for a show and again in 2018 on the Creed II soundtrack. In 2020 it was also revealed that the group’s producer, Lil’ Jay was a Trump supporter. Fans were immediately disappointed with one stating, “we can’t enjoy [anything].” Another person said, “damn dawg.” This effectively resulted in the group being “canceled.”
The music producers behind last year’s “Honk For Jesus” did not get this memo and featured the song in the Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall starring film. The film leads play a married couple behind a megachurch. They rap Princess and Lil’ Jay’s parts during the scene. Princess responded to the song’s inclusion in the film, joking that her mother always said she should use her gifts for the lord. She also revealed that the film was released on the same weekend of Crime Mob’s first show.
