The Lox – consisting of Yonkers rappers Sheek Louch, Styles P, and “Top 5, Dead or Alive” Jadakiss – formed in 1994 and arrived for the masses after signing with embattled mogul P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. Their debut, 1998’s Money, Power & Respect, was a critical and commercial hit, but the group did not enjoy Diddy’s demand for poppy “shiny suit” music. Enter Ruff Ryders Entertainment, where they rebranded themselves with 2000’s infinitely more authentic We Are the Streets. Jada and Styles have had great success as solo artists, but the recent resurgence of the group comes from its already-legendary Verzuz battle with the Cam’ron-led Diplomats. – Kahron Spearman
