Respecta.is - The Ultimate Hip Hop Portal

The "Golden Era" period of hip-hop seduced the senses with eclectic personalities, unforgettable styles and reborn sounds for a budding musical genre that would go on to attract millions of followers. Few hip-hop acts embodied the true spirit of creative energy better than the artist collective known as Digital Underground ("DU"). Along with friend Chopmaster-J, Greg "Shock-G" Jacobs formed DU in 1987 and the duo released the single, "Underwater Rimes". Soon after, Money B and DJ Fuze, collectively known as Raw Fusion, would join the group. The independent effort provided the support and momentum to attract major record label interest. By the time DU signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1989, they’d increased in size, released a summer underground hit single "Doowutchyalike" off their multi-platinum opus "Sex Packets" and proceeded to create a touring lane on the hip-hop highway that would persist for a 20+ year span. Among the varied members who would cycle through DU over the years, "Shock-G" and co-vocalist "Money-B" would serve as foundational pillars, perpetually entertaining audiences worldwide.

Money B has been observed as an integral component within DU throughout the groups’ existence. He’s also credited with having one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop. By infusing the familial cohesion, celebratory energy and uninhibited freedom that many acts had yet to harness at the time, Money-B served as a complementary catalyst in DU, forging hip-hop forward and aiding in propelling DU towards unforeseen fame. The commercial success enabled Money-B to expand his career opportunities with multiple projects across film, radio, television and the Internet.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ron "Money-B" Brooks moved to Oakland, California at age three. Raised in a creatively expressive musical environment where "the club" was his very own living room, Money B found his interests for entertaining early in life. “I've always felt at home on stage”, boasts Money-B. As his passion would later evolve into a career, the early childhood performances for Money-B would serve him well and refine his presence in commanding stages and literally forcing people to smile and have a good time.

The DU experience provided Money-B with the opportunity to experiment and expand his musical interests. Partnering with his fellow DU member DJ Fuze as Raw Fusion, a deal was secured in 1991. That same year Raw Fusion scored a regional radio hit entitled “Throw Your Hands In The Air,” which was the first single from their debut album “Live From The Styleetron.” The video, which featured a cameo appearance by Tupac Shakur, was the first major video production for the acclaimed Hughes Brothers film director team (“Menace To Society,” “Dead Presidents,” “American Pimp,” and “From Hell”). Raw Fusion went on to produce two more albums; "Hoochified Funk" (1994) and "Experiments in Bio-Stylee Technology" (2008).

In an industry where it is often difficult to discern fantasy from reality, certain facts stand true when reviewing Money-B’s musical credits, and the findings exceed compelling: “Sex Packets” (certified multi-platinum album), “Humpty Dance” (certified multi-platinum single), and “This Is An E.P." (Certified gold album), “Sons of the P” (certified gold album), “Kiss You Back” (certified multi-platinum single), “Strictly for My Niggaz” w/TUPAC (certified multi-platinum album), “I Get Around “ w/TUPAC (certified multi-platinum single), “2PACOLYPSE NOW” w/TUPAC (certified multi-platinum album), “Get in Where You Fit in” w/TOO SHORT (certified multi-platinum album), “Same Song” (certified gold single). The productivity warrants certifiable acknowledgment amongst the myriad of music industry entertainers who've sought to promote persistence and longevity.

Through the musical experience and success came greater opportunities to expand Money-B’s creative boundaries. In 1991 he appeared alongside his DU colleagues in the Hollywood cult film entitled “Nothing But Trouble,” which starred Dan Akroyd, John Candy, Chevy Chase, and Demi Moore. In 1996 Money-B hosted his own music video show “On The Real Videos” on San Francisco Bay Area cable television. In1999 Money-B landed a staring role in the independent film “In Cahoots”.

The consistent work and boundless opportunities brought the desire to create a project Money-B could call his own. Leveraging his DU reputation as a "Freak of the Industry", a phrase coined from the popular music single of the same name, Money-B and group member Cleetis Mack ventured on to successfully produce and release the adult DVD music video magazine series entitled "Sex and the Studio". The series took viewers backstage into the V.I.P. sections of the hottest shows and events of the time. The first-ever series of it's kind featured candid interviews hosted by Money-B and adult film legend Ron Jeremy with renowned hip-hop artists and adult-industry movie stars. Capitalizing on a new audience and a business opportunity, “Sex and the Studio” was also packaged with a full soundtrack of original music featuring Money-B and other popular artists. The series went on to sell over 50,000 units and landed Money-B and Cleetis Mack two Adult Video Award nominations for Best Music and Best Marketing and Promotion in 2005.

Most recently, in 2008 Money-B was featured in the nationally aired television commercial for NFL Fantasy Football alongside retired NFL veteran Warren Sapp across major networks.

Over the span of his 20+ year career, Money-B has delivered eight DU albums, three Raw Fusion albums and two solo albums. He's hosted his own local television show, been nominated for two adult video awards, performed on countless television shows, produced multiple mix tapes and has generated a number of co-collaborations with fellow musical artists. His global travels have carried him to places that only a young child from Oakland, CA would have dreamed. And with these successes, the fun has not stopped. Today you can find Money-B actively involved in music as the on-air personality and host for the "Goin Way Back Show With Money B" Sunday's 3-4pm PST on the popular Internet radio station SWURVRADIO.COM. With long time partner Cleetis Mack, Money B has formed the music label “Mandatory Muzic”. The labels first release was 2007’s “Money B’s Mandatory Vol.1”.

In what is to be the final Digital Underground album, "Cuz a DU Party Don't Stop!" was released in May 2008. Today, alongside DJ Nu-Stylez (DU), Money-B occasionally appears as a host and deejay at events across the US. Emerging music producers have sought out Money-B for representation and management support. Whether in-studio recording new material, performing before live audiences, developing new artists, hosting his radio show, acting, or producing, Money B is still bringing it! Thought he wasn’t?!