The Georgia-based hip-hop trio Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz includes members Lil Jon, Big Sam, and Lil Bo. Leader Lil Jon began his career by DJ'ing at the now defunct Atlanta club Phoenix in the early '90s, a hangout frequented by many top hip-hop/R&B stars of the day. One of the artists who frequented the club, Jermaine Dupri, was so impressed with Lil Jon's skills that he named him executive V.P. of A&R at So So Def Recordings (from 1993 through 2000), during which time Lil Jon oversaw the release of the label's successful So So Def Bass All-Stars compilations. In addition to his label duties, Lil Jon hosted a reggae show on the Atlanta radio station V103, and also remixed and produced tracks for such acclaimed artists as Too $hort, Xcape, Total, Usher, 112, and Whitney Houston, among others. By the late '90s, Lil Jon formed the East Side Boyz, issuing their debut release in 1997, Get Crunk, Who You Wit: Da Album, following it up with Put Yo Hood Up in 2001. ~ Greg Prato , All Music Guide