Cali Life Style

Who is Cali Life Style?

Cali Life style was a Chicano Rap duo formed in 1992 from Santa Maria,CA. The duo consisted of Rap Artist T DRE (Terry Yap) and DELUX (Domanic Padron). Producer/Dj Dominator(Art Dominguez) worked with CLS early on and later introduced Cali Life Style to T. Solis, a budding entrepreneur. Together they partnered up in 1993 to produce a handful of Records and establish one of the 1st Independent Rap Labels in the 805 area of Central California (Underworld Records) Underworld would soon merge with Familia Records and Universal Latino as its Distributors and quickly emerge on the scene. They along with other groups early on ( such as Lil Rob, Knightowl, Shadow etc) carved out a huge following in the Underground Market over the next few years performing all over the West & South West Region of the U.S. They are known for their strong involvement and influence during the infancy of the Chicano Rap Movement (1995-2008)

In 1996 CLS releases it's first LP

MEXICAN INVASION. With only 10 tracks the album produced more than a few hit singles including "Ordinary Day"

"Coastin" "Lost" & "Float On" The LP became a huge underground success gaining airplay not only in the U.S. but

also Japan, Australia, New Zealand & the U.K.

Mexican Invasion was different from what other Rap Artists from L.A.and San Diego were doing at the time in that it was the first album to expose 805 California(Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Ventura) It was not the typical hard-core gangster flow. Its lyrics were more about a laid back chicano culture. BBQs, beaches and palm trees with a feel good party atmosphere. As well as giving light to the 80's Electro-funk era used in their sample selection and melodic beat rhythms, CLS created a sound all their own. It is now a staple of 805 Music and France's Undergrounds music scene to date.

With the success of M.I. C.L.S. follow up LP was entitled TELL IT LIKE IT IS. Recorded and released in 1998-9 the album went slightly unnoticed partly due to a changing trend in Rap music as well as a lack of marketing & promotion by its original label Underworld Records. With acts like Lil Rob and NB Rydahsl leading the way the LP would eventually be recognized as one of the duo's finer albums by fans and critics alike.. With its creative material and strong approach to 80's Electro-Funk hits like Whats up Girl Get Higher Between the Streets and Are you Ready would sustain the groups popularity as well as make them a household name in the genre. Producer Dominator who would form Central Coast Clique the following year and drop their 1st LP also eventually helped shift the Chicano Rap scene back to the 805 once again

The group would release it's third and final album before a 5 year hiatus. SUN UP 2 SUN DOWN released SEP. 11 2001 would mark the groups break from Underworld Records as they would sign with Artistic Records for this project. The album faired far better than TELL IT LIKE IT IS due to nation wide exposure on major radio and TV. Appearances on the Power 106 POCOS PERO LOCOS radio show in L.A. and Guest spots on Latin T.V. shows gave the group a well deserved opportunity to reach a bigger demographic Lead single "1st Thang's First" Produced by a youg FINGAZ became an instant classic It was a rare case in Chicano Rap in which a Chicano Rap act successfully blended different styles MIAMI BASS and Synth-Pop in it's flow. Another major radio hit "Southern Comfort"included a sample from Micheal Jacksons Rock With You. SUN UP 2 SUN DOWN was without a doubt a major triump for C.L.S.

"Southern Comfort"-samples Micheal Jacksons 'Rock With You' .

"1st thangs 1st" also featured a sample of Surface's "Happy"

The duo would then go on hiatus and make individual appearences for other acts throughout the 2000's like Central Coast Clique,Chino Grande,Don Cisco,E-Dub,Paul Dateh.

In 2005 CLS released a self released LP THE INVASION CONTINUES still using its classic style but involving more Hip Hop en Espanol with appearances from Don Abusivo.

In 2008 CLS released THE FOUNDATION LP.

In 2009 rapper T-Dre was incarcerated.

*LSOB and CLS did get in a confrontation at a low-rider show for LSOB alleged use of plagiarism of CLS's track "Coastin" which was set to be released as the lead single for the Mexican Invasion album that was to be released in 1995. LSOB apparently had stole the lyrics and idea for sample of Con Funk Shun's " by your side" at a dual recording session in LA . LSOB was able to release the track as "Dip Into My Ride" in 1994 . CLS makes notice of this in their tracks "Coastin" and "Down From The Get Go".

*Rapper T-dre is rumored to have slapped rapper Kid Frost without retalitaion from Kid Frost at a Lowrider show in the early 2000's over a disagreement in which Kid Frost asked for Sureno's and Norteno's to unite.