Mr. Mixx

Due to the imposing media presence of frontman Luther Campbell, 2 Live Crew was often seen as his vehicle, but the group actually started without him under the guidance of producer David Hobbs (aka Mr. Mixx). It was the work of both men that brought them to the national spotlight, with Campbells offensive rhymes matched to the boisterous, fast-paced beats produced by Mixx. Hobbs first started working on records in California, where he met rapper Fresh Kid Ice (aka Chris Wong Won) and hype man Amazing V. The three started 2 Live Crew in the spring of 1985, releasing the Revelation single by the summer. The 12 was a club hit in Miami, inspiring Mixx and Ice to move to Florida to try to capitalize on their success. Brother Marquis joined up soon after, and based on the regional popularity of their second single, What I Like, they were soon signed to local entrepreneur Luther Campbells Luke Records.