Kokane
The Most Featured Artist in the World
Origins & Early Life
Jerry B. Long Jr., universally known as Kokane, was born in the Bronx, New York, before his family relocated to California, where he was raised in the city of Pomona. Kokane’s life has always been steeped in music. His musical genius stems directly from the lineage of his father, Jerry B. Long Sr., a legendary Motown Records arranger and composer who penned iconic works like "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and many more.
Spending countless childhood hours with his father in the studio, Kokane built his craft listening to the old-school funk of the 1970s and found a deep comfort zone in stage performance. Navigating the hardships of his environment, he stayed focused on his true passion, leading him straight to the West Coast rap scene at the dawn of Gangsta rap. In the mid-1980s, he began his career as a vocalist. It was his cousin, Cold 187um of Above the Law, who eventually gave him the stage name "Kokane" to represent how addictive his sound was to the ear.
The Birth of G-Funk & Ruthless Records
Figure Identification and Attire (Standing, Back to Front/Left to Right):
Standing Front Left: KMG (Above the Law) in a distinctive black and white pinstripe shirt featuring Raiders logos and text, and a matching black Raiders cap.
Standing Back Left: Kokane in a green baseball cap and black outfit, looking toward the camera from behind KMG.
Standing Center Left: MC Ren (N.W.A) in a black crew-neck t-shirt.
Standing Center: An unidentified figure in a black crew-neck sweater.
Standing Far Right: Eazy-E (N.W.A) wearing a blue Raiders/Dodgers-style LA cap and a dark denim jacket over a white t-shirt.
Partially visible figures behind: DJ Yella (N.W.A), and others are partially obscured behind the main standing group.
Figure Identification and Positioning (Crouching):
Crouching Front Left: Cold 187um (Above the Law) squatting in the foreground, wearing a wearing a blue LA hat and sunglasses.
Crouching Far Right: DJ Total K-Oss squatting on the far right.
Kokane’s career officially took flight in late 1989. After linking up with Cold 187um and signing a production deal with Laylaw, they recorded a three-song demo that captured the attention of Eazy-E, leading to a signing with the legendary Ruthless Records. Teaming up with Above the Law, Kokane helped invent the globally dominant sound known as G-Funk.
His debut album, Addictive Hip Hop Muzick (1991), was credited as "Who Am I?" to navigate moniker restrictions and set the foundation for a sonic revolution. His first solo single, "Nickel Slick Nigga," appeared on the Deep Cover soundtrack. Between 1992 and 1995, Kokane’s eccentric vocal approach—a fluid blend of rapping and P-funk-influenced singing—became the secret weapon of the 1990s. He co-wrote "Appetite for Destruction" for N.W.A’s Niggaz4life and played major roles on Above the Law's most prolific albums, including Black Mafia Life and Uncle Sam's Curse.
For his second album, 1994's Funk Upon a Rhyme, Kokane drastically evolved his style, incorporating eccentric G-funk melodies. Following Eazy-E's tragic passing in 1995, he departed Ruthless Records. He was slated to appear on Tupac Shakur's One Nation collaboration album before Shakur's untimely death cut the project short.
The Household Name & Feature King
By the end of 1999, Kokane’s presence in music had exploded. Because of the unique sound he was bringing, he became a highly valued and sought-after artist for collaborations. After a standout appearance on the Los Angeles posse cut "Some L.A. Niggaz" from Dr. Dre's 2001, Snoop Dogg asked Kokane to help him with his upcoming project. Kokane proved to have perfect chemistry with Snoop, playing a significant role in the success of the classic Tha Last Meal album by guest-appearing on eight tracks and contributing heavily to Tha Eastsidaz' debut album. By this time, Kokane was well on his way to becoming the most featured recording artist in the history of the music industry.
His unmistakable voice soon expanded into cinema and gaming. He teamed up with Cypress Hill for the Training Day soundtrack, sang the title track for Eddie Griffin's Old School and Undercover Brother, and was immortalized in gaming history by appearing on the True Crime soundtrack and performing the Grand Theft Auto V theme song, "Los Santos," alongside MC Eiht and Freddie Gibbs.
Overcoming Hardships
The journey was not without its battles. While recording his studio album Pain Killer'z, Kokane suffered a severed jaw and fell into deep physical and emotional pain. However, this period became a profound turning point. In and out of jail and dealing with the intense ups and downs of the music business, a stint in 2006 became a blessing in disguise. It allowed him to get clean and distance himself from negative influences. Emerging with a renewed spirit, he relocated his family to the Pacific Northwest, marking the start of a massive new chapter.
Bud E Boy Entertainment
Transitioning from a legendary recording artist to a powerhouse executive, Kokane established Bud E Boy Entertainment in 2010. Built as an independent empire alongside Vice President Alicia Long and Digital Executive Anajee (Rashaad) Long, the record label represents the future of ownership in the music industry.
Today, Bud E Boy houses a diverse, powerful roster ranging from foundational legacy acts to groundbreaking new creative talent. Kokane continues to thrive, dropping massive projects like the 2024 album trilogy Da Funkin' Adventures of Dr. Kokanstine and cementing the next generation of his musical family with his daughter, R&B artist Aanisah Long. Furthermore, Kokane is currently developing the highly anticipated, legendary upcoming album, Funk Upon A Rhyme 2.
Legacy & Associated Acts
Kokane's resume reads like the ultimate Hall of Fame of Funk, Hip-Hop, R&B, and versatile genres. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with artists internationally and a historic roster of icons, including:
- West Coast Pioneers: Eazy-E, N.W.A, Above the Law, Ice Cube, E-40, Too $hort, Mac Dre, WC, Daz Dillinger, Warren G, MC Eiht, Suga Free, Spice 1, Brotha Lynch Hung
- Funk Legends: George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Larry Blackmon
- East Coast & Global Icons: P. Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, Prodigy, Jadakiss, G-Unit, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Kool Rock Ski
- Modern Heavyweights: Nipsey Hussle, The Game, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Freddie Gibbs, Berner, J Dilla, The Alchemist
- And many more: Tha Eastsidaz, Cypress Hill, Jenni Rivera, Goodie Mob, Big Z, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Mr. Short Khop, E.D.I. Mean, Bad Azz, C-Bo
(Rest in Paradise to Go Mack, Laylaw, KMG, Eazy-E, Dooley, HB, Party Man, Nate Dogg, 2Pac, and all the fallen legends).
Discography & Filmography
Studio Albums
- Addictive Hip Hop Muzick (1991)
- Funk Upon a Rhyme (1994)
- They Call Me Mr. Kane (1999)
- Mr. Kane, Pt. 2 (2005)
- Back 2 tha Clap (2006)
- Pain Killer'z (2006)
- Gimme All Mine (2010)
- The Legend Continues... (2012)
- Shut da F Up & Cut da Checc (2014)
- Lady Kokane Presents: Kokane Love Songs (2015)
- King of GFunk (2016)
- Lady Kokane Presents: Kokane Love Songs Vol. 2 (2017)
- It's Kokane Not Lemonhead (2017)
- Finger Roll (2019)
- Da White Album (2022)
- Da Funkin' Adventures of Dr. Kokanstine (Trilogy) (2024)
Collaboration Albums
- Gangstarock with Chris Gentry (2002)
- The Hood Mob with Contraband & Cricet (2006)
- Raine n Lane n Kokane with Raine n Lane (2008)
- The New Frontier with Traffik (2012)
- Tha Kemistry!! with Tonik Slam (2018)
- SugaKane with Suga Free (2023)
Filmography & Soundtracks
- The Wash (2001)
- Training Day (2001)
- Undercover Brother (2002)
- Old School (2003)
- Narco Valley (2018)
