ARTIST INFO

HOTBOX CREW, also known as HotBoxx Records is an American underground hip hop emcee collective based in Northern California, with members in Santa Rosa, CA and Middletown, CA. The collective was founded in the mid 2000’s and is composed of rappers Big Whisp, Blake T and DB. 

HotBoxx Records originated in Big Whisp’s Condo in Santa Rosa, CA in 2007. Big Whisp the former DJ, advocate of music and pure lover of hip-hop, decided to invest in recording equipment. Word spread quickly and soon his friends and fellow co-workers were at his place, partying, freestyling and recording music. Two of them stood out and took the art seriously. Blake T and DB. 

Soon they found themselves writing together, recording tracks for friends, competing in online rap competitions, making singles for parties and collaborating with producers and talent from all over the state. 

After upgrading the music studio to include a new vocal booth, the artists started recording isolated vocals in the what they called the, “HotBoxx”….because of it’s limited ventilation. The multi-use pun stuck and the name, “HotBoxx Records” was born. 

After years of recording numerous unreleased tracks and archiving most of their work, the crew involuntarily took a break from recording music to focus on their personal lives, families, careers and even self-owned businesses. 

This came at a time right before the dreaded 2015 Wildfires in Lake County, known as the, “2015 Valley Fire.” 

Big Whisp and family unfortunately lost everything in the Valley Fire, including their newly purchased home, the entire music studio, vehicles, boat, etc. Whip’s 15 year old son, Alex was home alone at the time and luckily made out of the disaster safely. He only had time to grab a few small personal items and in his box of items was his father’s computer with every track recorded by HotBoxx Crew. 
They took this as a sign… Having their music saved, inspired the group to share their work, get back in the studio, start performing their music live and put out their first Mix Tape/CD Intitled, “HotBoxx Records Vol I, The Mix Tape.” 

The guys since have been dedicated to creating their first Original Album and invited other Bay Area Legends/Artist to join them, including San Quinn, J-Diggs, Coolio Da’unda’ Dogg, Yukmouth, Profound, Bishop Rocswell and more. 

While recording their latest album, another tragic wildfire hit Northern California in October 2017. This time DB lost everything, including his newly purchased home and vehicle in Santa Rosa. 
The Crew remained versatile, optimistic and are currently focused on completing their album, A Good Run, due to be released in April 2019. 

The album is produced, mixed and mastered by Gabe from The Legion Beats or as Blake T calls him: the Bay Area’s Rick Rubin. 
HotBoxx Crew has also partnered up with Northern California DJ/Promoter Prodkt of Prodkt Backroom Ent. to perform Live at various Shows across State. 

HotBoxx Crew’s music s is now available on all major digital music sources.