2nd II None is a hip hop duo from Compton, California, consisting of cousins KK ( L. McDonald) and Tha Dee a.k.a Gangsta D (Deon Barnett). Closely associated with producer-rapper DJ Quik, the pair released their self-titled debut on Profile Records in 1991 and Classic 220 on Arista in 1999, followed by the independent album Compton Muzik in 2014. Their songs âÂÂBe True to Yourselfâ and âÂÂIf You Want Itâ brought national notice in the early 1990s, and âÂÂUp âÂÂN Da Clubâ later appeared in the 2000 The Sopranos episode âÂÂFull Leather Jacket.âÂÂ
After early work alongside childhood friend DJ Quik, 2nd II None signed to Profile Records and issued their debut album, 2nd II None, in 1991. Quik handled the bulk of production and also appeared as a guest. In February 1992, the duo shared a Los Angeles bill with Cypress Hill, a show the Los Angeles Times singled out for its stylistic contrast and energy.
The group returned with Classic 220 in 1999 on Arista, with contributions from Quik and longtime affiliates; its single âÂÂUp âÂÂN Da Clubâ later gained renewed exposure via The Sopranos. In 2014 the duo self-released Compton Muzik, produced primarily by Gangsta D and collaborators, marking their first full-length in 15 years.
In 2022, KK released a solo album, DediKKated, under the name BlaKKazz KK.