Biography
Jerry B Long Jr. aka Kokane was born in Bronx, New York. When he was still a baby, he and 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. which of whom is one of the greatest "Motown Records" writer & composer of all time. Some of Kokane's father's works, includes; "Just My Imagination" sung by the "Temptations", "Still Waters Run Deep", "Smiling Faces", "Papa was a Rolling Stone" & many more.
As a child, Jerry Jr. aka Kokane, spent countless hours with his father in the studio. At an early age, he was engaged in the art of sound, which nourished his natural talents for music. He began to build his craft & style, listening to the old-school funk of the 70's. During his school years, he won numerous talent shows & was a top student in drama club. Acting in many plays, this is where Jerry Jr. found a comfort zone in stage performance. Growing up, life wasn't always easy. He dealt with the hardships and social ills of poverty, drugs, and violence due to the environment. Through the struggles, he continued to stay focused and away from trouble as much as possible. Kokane quickly realized that his talent & heart lye in music, which led to his involvement with the West Coast rap scene at the dawn of Gangsta rap.
CAREER:
He began his career as a vocalist in the mid-1980's, as rap was first appearing in his native Los Angeles, before eventually signing to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records label at the end of 1989. He adopted his stage name "Kokane" which was given to him by his cousin (Hutch aka Cold 187um of the legendary rap group "Above the Law"). The name "Kokane" is a representation of how dope & addictive his sound is to the ear. Kokane's Music Career had launched at Eazy-E's Ruthless Records, with him co-writing for N.W.A.'s "Appetite for Destruction" and guest appearing on the intro of the album "Niggaz4Life"(efil4zaggiN), where he first introduced one of his character's "Sweet Talk". Kokane's first album release, "Addictive Hip Hop Muzick", in 1991', was credited as "Who am I" featuring the song "Nickel Slick Nigga", (first solo single) that had appeared on the Deep Cover movie soundtrack. In addition, Kokane guest-appeared & co-wrote for Eazy E's "It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa" and also contributed to other West Coast gangsta rap albums, such as; Above the Law's "Black Mafia Life" and "Uncle Sam's Curse".
In 1994, Kokane had released his second album, "Funk upon a Rhyme" where he completely revolutionized his style, incorporating a great deal of singing, rapping and packing' it with a sound that would impact cultures; known as, G-Funk (A style of music which was originated by Kokane and Above The Law). His eccentric vocal approach is half fluid rapping and half weird P-funk-influenced singing. Funk upon a Rhyme had hit Billboard Charts and sold globally. The album is now a collector's, selling for as much as $100 or more on eBay & other online stores. Kokane left Ruthless right after the passing of Eazy E (RIP). Two years later, Kokane was a free agent. He reappeared in the rap scene in the late 1999 with a solo album on Eureka Records, "They Call Me Mr. Kane". Shortly after, he co-appearanced on Dr. Dre's album 2001 and did heavy collaboration with Snoop Dogg's, "The Last Meal" along with Tha Eastsidaz albums, playing a major role in the success of the albums. Kokane's sound was so "In-Demand," that by this time, music artist from all over the world had to get a feature from the Legendary Kokane.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Throughout the years, he has worked with many artists, such as; George Clinton, Bootsy Collins (Parliament), George Duke & Stanley Clark (The Great Jazz Legends), Larry Blackmon (Cameo), Above the Law, N.W.A., Eazy E, Ice Cube, Tha Eastsidaz, Cypress Hill, P Diddy, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Mac Dre, Jenni Revera, Tupac & many more. Among Kokane's many works, it includes soundtracks for films such as; Training Day, Menace ll Society, Malibu's Most Wanted, Deep Cover, Love and a Bullet, Undercover Brother, True Crimes (video game), Los Santos (Grand Theft Auto video game) and Sports media. His filmography includes the movie "Old School" with Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn & Luke Wilson, to name a few.
KOGF PROJECT: Kokane's double album, entitled; "King Of Gfunk" has a nice blend of hip hop, neo-soul, gospel, funk, gangsta rap, socially conscious, jazz & reggae...
Guest appearances: Bootsy Collins, Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Gipp Goodie (Goodie Mob), Aanisah Long, Big Tray Deee, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger (Dogg Pound) Xzibit, Big Weazel Loc, Mr. Short Khop, Tha Chill, Mitchy Slick, Babee Loc & Cold 187.
Production by: DJ Battle Cat, Meech & Sean Wells, Theory Hazit, Mofak, West Coast Stone, JBL (Jerry B. Long), Paul Seagal, Amplified, Mario Luciano, DJ King Assassin & T$P.
#KOGF ALBUM The 1st debut single of the album - "Plastic Surgery" features Mr. Short Khop! Kokane & Mr. Short Khop have already experienced success in the past... on their hit single "Dollaz, Dank & Drank" produced by the legendary producer Battle Cat. "Plastic Surgery" has already risen to #1 on One West Radio charts. Kokane's second single "California Classic", featuring Diirty OGz, is quickly rising to the top, as California's new "West Coast Anthem" for 2016-2017! "California Classic" video is on YouTube and has over 1,000,000 views! To all you funk junkies out there.. the mothership has landed! Kokane invited the ICONS Bootsy Collins & George Clinton to participate on his KOGF project. #40Below Spiritual song "I've Been There" produced by Battle Cat. "Any Body Killa" Xzibit, Cold 187, Big Tray Deee - "Lyrically murdered the track" Bud E Boy recording artist "Babee Loc" has a hot reggae joint called "Murda in Kingston"! Kokane & Mitchy Slick put an iconic cut together called "Time Keep Moving On" produced by T$P! "This album has something for everybody, we keeping it raw with nothing but that GFUNK!" - Kokane
CURRENTLY: Kokane has just released his newest album entitled, "It's Kokane Not Lemonhead" under his independent record label "Bud E Boy Entertainment." The music label is run by his wife Alicia Long (Vice-President) and son who runs the art, graphics & promotional department. Along with fans, supporters, Team Bud E Boy Japan, Amazed1.
OTHER PROJECTS: Kokane working heavy with daughter Aanisah Long on her EP coming soon to 2018 Check Kokane on the Diirty OGz album "We Got Now & Next" Big Tray Deee new smash hit single "The Return" ft. Kokane J Dilla's new album "The Diary" dropped April 15, 2016 - Track #7 "Gangsta Boogie" ft. Kokane & Snoop
