Terrance Cocheeks Kelly (born March 28, 1971), known professionally as Mr. Cheeks, is an American rapper from South Jamaica, Queens. He is best known for his 2001 single "Lights, Camera, Action!" (featuring Missy Elliott, P. Diddy and Petey Pablo), which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior, he performed as a member of the hip hop group Lost Boyz from 1995 to 1999, and thereafter signed with Universal Records to pursue a solo career.

Mr. Cheeks
Background information
Birth nameTerrance Cocheeks Kelly[1]
Born (1971-03-28) March 28, 1971 (age 53)
Queens, New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
Years active1991–present
LabelsUniversal, Diane's Boy
Formerly ofLost Boyz

"Lights, Camera, Action!" preceded the release of his debut studio album John P. Kelly (2001), which was met with moderate critical and commercial reception along with its follow up, Back Again! (2003). He is also known for guest appearance on Lil' Kim's 2003 single "The Jump Off," which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Biography

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1991–2019: Lost Boyz

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Mr. Cheeks, who was mentored by his uncle Gil Scott-Heron, along with bandmates Freaky Tah (1971–1999), Spigg Nice and Pretty Lou made up Lost Boyz. The Lost Boyz practiced a sincere, literate, non-sensational style of New York hip-hop and produced a number of singles including; "Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless" (1994), "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" (1995) and "Renee" (1996). Lost Boyz gained worldwide critical acclaim following the release of the albums; Legal Drug Money in 1996, Love, Peace & Nappiness in 1997, LB IV Life in 1999, LB Next Generation in 2019 and Legacy in 2020.

2001–09: Solo career

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Mr. Cheeks became a solo artist in 2001. His debut solo album, John P. Kelly, named for both his cousin and his grandfather, featured the hit single "Lights, Camera, Action!". The album also included a collaboration with longtime friend and business partner, Stephen Marley, (son of reggae artist Bob Marley) featuring the ballad "Till We Meet Again" (recorded in Freaky Tah's memory) and the reggae-flavored "Mama Say". In 2003, Mr. Cheeks released the follow-up album, Back Again![2] The single off the album was "Crush On You" and it featured Mario Winans. In the fall of 2003, Cheeks separated from Universal, forming his own label, Diane's Boyz. Cheeks was also featured on Lil' Kim's single, "The Jump Off."

Discography

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Solo albums

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with Lost Boyz

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Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as a lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[3]
US
R&B

[4]
US
Rap

[5]
US
Rhyth.

[6]
"Lights, Camera, Action!" 2001 14 1 1 25 John P. Kelly
"Friday Night"
(featuring Horace Brown)
2002 87 16
"Crush on You"
(featuring Mario Winans)
2003 52 Back Again!
"What We Do" 2006 Non-album single
"The Ryan Show Theme Song"
(featuring Hamptons Dave and Ryan Verneuille)
2020
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.
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List of singles as a featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[3]
US
R&B

[4]
US
Rap

[5]
US
Rhyth.

[6]
AUS
[7]
BEL
(FL)

[8]
GER
[9]
ITA
[10]
NLD
[11]
UK
[12]
"The Jump Off"
(Lil' Kim featuring Mr. Cheeks)
2003 17 8 7 8 59 27 78 20 83 16 La Bella Mafia

References

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  1. ^ "Mr. Cheeks on ASCAP.com".
  2. ^ "Mr Cheeks back again on new album". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Mr. Cheeks – Chart History: Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 689 (Week Commencing 5 May 2003)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "Discografie Mr. Cheeks". ultratop.be (in Dutch). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  9. ^ "Discographie von Mr. Cheeks". GfK Entertainment (in German). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Single Top 20 – 08/05/2003". italiancharts.com. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Discografie Mr. Cheeks". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Lil' Kim Ft Mr Cheeks". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
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