When many think of the term squad, the Merriam-Webster definition, a small group engaged in a common effort or occupation comes to mind. But, for hip-hop fans all over the world this term has come to mean something entirely different. When the word is mentioned, many in the hip-hop genre think sqad, as in Sqad-Up. Through a clever marketing scheme, this New Orleans-based rap group quickly made a name for themselves in the city, nationally and even internationally.
Formed in 1999, Sqad-Up came about as a result of the group’s close connections with Lil Wayne of Cash Money Records. The original Sqad included, Lil Wayne, Supa Blanco, T-Streets, Guddha Guddha, Yung Yo, and Cortez, all in their early twenties and late teens. Nut Da Kid and Dizzy were picked up later on. With the goal of strictly making money, the Sqad, as they are commonly referred to, first began as a clothing line. They quickly jumped into the studio, began making music, and have been doing so ever since.
When they began making music, Sqad-Up was originally supposed to be signed to Cash Money Records. But the years of stalling and litigation caused them to do something else to pass time. Instead of simply waiting around idle for the contract to materialize, they decided to start releasing the discs.
By rapping over other artists beats, creating a disc, and releasing it via internet, Sqad-Up were able to garner more exposure in two years, than some artists acquire in ten years. With the assistance of bootleggers around the world, there were Sqad-Up mix discs available at barbershops, hip-hop-shops, street corners, and college campuses all over the nation. Fans all over the country started to become hungry and were anxiously anticipating each release. Over a period of four years Sqad-up released eight of these discs making a name for themselves and solidifying there place in the hip-hop music industry.
The internet release strategy proved to be effective. "Releasing all those discs is what got us where we are today," Supa Blanco said. There is now word of Sqad-Up in just about every state from New York to L.A. "They know us in every state we have visited,” Yung Yo said. "They are even bumping the squad in Japan." The Sqad is also quick to admit their favorites of all the releases. "Sqad 2 and the latest release Underground Legends Vol.1 or the best in my opinion," Supa Blanco said. Underground Legends Vol.1 is slated to be the last disc to be released for free.
The group realized a long time ago that it was time to produce and actually sell a disc. "Cash Money had put the project on ice so we were just killing time,” Supa Blanco said. "Ya'll all know that this is long overdue." But the Cash Money connection would soon cease.
Lil Wayne, who was expected to be the groups' breakthrough member, was kicked out on Nov. 20, 2003. Wayne's role in Sqad-Up was important because he had already achieved mainstream fame and exposure, but the Sqad saw otherwise. "He had a good position, but he wanted to be the boss without paying the cost, so no boss for him," T-Streets said. Members of the Sqad believed Lil Wayne was trying to place their careers in the hands of Cash Money Records CEO Brian "Baby" Williams. "He was trying to let Birdman juice him," Supa Blanco said. "We are all heterosexual males in the Sqad so we could not allow ourselves to get raped."
There is no longer any comradery between Sqad-Up and Lil Wayne either. "We don't want to have anything to do with the lil boy," Yung Yo said. They are also very optimistic about surviving as artists without Lil Wayne. "People have the right to believe we can't make it, but will prove them wrong with the new release, Now or Never," Supa Blanco said.
Now composed of Supa Blanco, Guddha Guddha, Yung Yo, Nut Da Kid, and T-Streets, Sqad-Up is now on their own and ready to take the nation by storm. They recently started their on company, Money Yung'n Entertainment. They will release their first album on the label this

What makes me black?
Is it the swaying thickness of my hips?
The exotic hypnotic fullness of my black cherry lips?
The honey brown mocha skin of breast caramel sweet?
good enough to eat or at least taste?
I never let nothin good go to waste
I tho' it aroun'
spread it down on the dance floor
leavin brothas feenin' for more.

What makes me black?
Is it the rhythmic beat of my pansie feet?
The melodious sway and shake my ass makes when I hear my song I haven't heard in so long?

What makes me black?
Is it the kinky hair that crowns my head in all it's glory?
a forever changing story.
from long to short to braids to tracks then back to short again,
Forming a life of its own.

See... I'm real prone to dem brothas lookin for sista's with "good" hair!
You know .. the kind that curls when ya wash it and spins in da wind-it's passionate friend.

Color struck brothas
wantin puerto rican mami's for their babies mothas.
running straight from Africa to Europe and Spain who years ago had us in chains.

O the hazy days of William Lynch has clouded our vision

Unable to see the beauty inside
Unable to have true African pride
seperated amongst ourselves
some put love away on dusty shelves.

light against dark
dark against light.

See... I'm party down brown
with a hint of caramel
you gotta see past my pecan' shell
Get to know young black beautiful me.

Look at me ..
See how lovely I am African American?
See how beautiful I am African American?
Black beauty lies in you eyes.

Now don't take offense cuz I'm worldwide
Its just some brothas just caught up in this fence of ignorance bliss,
saying"you can't have me cause your skin tone must be like this."

Don't get mad at my opinion
I'm just representin' where I come from,
Just recognizing a black biased America rising.
Just a little problem I keep despising.

Now if I touched a nerve,
please do observe,
the modeling runway and the "video hoes."

Where is da chocolate?
Where is da fudge?
Where da thick sistas at with da nice lil pudge?
Vanilla fills my eyes or renditions of tha flava.

The high yellow flava.
the flava to sava.
the "good" hair flava.
the flava to sava.

Being black
is under attack.
analytically speaking,
truth seeking,
earth to ya brain,
my perspective's position maintains.