Kokane
The Most Featured Artist in the World
Origins & Early Life
Jerry B. Long Jr., aka Kokane, was born in the Bronx, New York. When he was still a baby, his family moved to California, where he was raised in the city of Pomona. Kokane's life has always included music. His musical genius stems from the lineage of his father, Jerry B. Long Sr., who is one of the greatest Motown Records writers and composers of all time, penning legendary works like "Just My Imagination" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."
As a child, Kokane spent countless hours with his father in the studio. He began to build his craft by listening to the old-school funk of the 70s, finding a deep comfort zone in stage performance. Navigating the hardships of his environment, he stayed focused on his heart's true passion, leading him straight to the West Coast rap scene at the dawn of Gangsta rap. His cousin, Cold 187um of Above the Law, gave him the stage name "Kokane" to represent how dope and addictive his sound was to the ear.
The Birth of G-Funk
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 black Raiders hat and sunglasses.
Crouching Far Right: DJ Total K-Oss squatting on the far right, wearing a blue hat and sunglasses, making a hand sign.
Kokane's career officially took off at the end of 1989 when he signed to Eazy-E's legendary Ruthless Records. Kokane teamed up with Above The Law to help invent the globally dominant sound known as G-Funk. His gritty, funk-infused hooks became the secret weapon of the 1990s.
His debut album, Addictive Hip Hop Muzick (1991), set the foundation for a sonic revolution. Between 1992 and 1995, Kokane's eccentric vocal approach—a blend of half-fluid rapping and half-P-funk-influenced singing—hit the Billboard Charts. He played major roles on Above the Law's most prolific albums, including Black Mafia Life and Uncle Sams Curse, before Eazy-E's tragic passing in 1995.
The Household Name & Feature King
By 2000, Kokane’s presence in hip-hop exploded. After appearing on Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001, Kokane became a household name. He and Snoop Dogg proved to have the perfect chemistry for Snoop's classic Last Meal project, where Kokane guest-appeared on 8 tracks. He quickly became the most featured recording artist in the history of the music industry.
His unmistakable voice also expanded into cinema and gaming. He teamed up with Cypress Hill for the Training Day soundtrack, sang the title track for Eddie Griffin's Undercover Brother, and was immortalized in gaming history by 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 9th studio album, Pain Killer'z, Kokane suffered a severed jaw and fell into substance abuse to numb the pain. However, this period became a profound turning point. A 5-month jail sentence in 2006 became a blessing in disguise, allowing him to get clean and distance himself from the wrong crowd. Emerging with a renewed spirit, he eventually moved his family to the 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. Built as an independent empire alongside Vice President Alicia Long and Digital Executive Anajee Long, the record label represents the future of ownership in the music industry.
Today, Bud E Boy houses a diverse and powerful roster, ranging from foundational legacy acts to groundbreaking new creative talent and visual directors. Kokane continues to thrive into 2025, dropping massive projects like the 3-album trilogy Da Funkin Adventures of Dr. Kokanstine and cementing the next generation of his musical family with his daughter, Aanisah Long.
Legacy & Associated Acts
Kokane's resume reads like the ultimate Hall of Fame of Hip-Hop and R&B. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a historic roster of icons, including:
- West Coast Pioneers: Eazy-E, N.W.A., Above the Law, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, Too Short, Mac Dre, WC, Daz Dillinger, Warren G, MC Eiht
- 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
- 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
(Rest in Paradise to Go Mack, Lay Law, KMG, Eazy-E, Dooley, HB, Party Man, Nate Dogg, 2Pac, and all the fallen legends).
