Founded & Trademarked by Aaron “Kidd Star” Payes in 2002 in Charlotte, NC, the original members of the trio group were DJ Hydraulic, Kontrol & Kidd Star. Their buzz was created in North Carolina as Promoters with their famous “Bass Wars” parties. The “Bass Wars” parties brought in DJ’s from all over the country such as DJ Icey, DJ Baby Anne, DJ Volume, DJ Keoki, Aphrodite, AK1200, DJ Dan, DJ Fixx, DJ Keith McKenzie, DJ Tony Faline, DJ Doc Roc, DJ Knightlife, Hudia Hudia, Sharaz, Trashy, Moon and DJ Simply Jeff to name a few. They would rent out old run down 5 theater movie buildings, come in set up major trussing, lights and bring in 50,000 watts of sound as if it were a major indoor concert. These parties consistently had over 4,000 people in attendance from all corners of the southeast and from these parties is where the branding of the 3 Bad Brothaz was set in motion. While in Charlotte to capitalize off the “Bass Wars” events Live Wire Entertainment was started and begun distributing several 12” vinyl singles of 3 Bad Brothaz that were played at these “Bass Wars” parties to stores around the Southeast and New York.
Looking to expand further than the Carolina’s and wanting to continue their stamp on the entertainment industry, in 2003, Live Wire relocated the 3 Bad Brothaz to Tampa, FL to be in the heart of the Breakbeat Scene. With their remix production they quickly became a household name in the club scene. The first 3 Bad Brothaz CD, “We Perfected the Remix” solidified them as an underground powerhouse and remixing crew. Live Wire then went onto release each single off that CD on 12” Vinyl. One of those vinyl releases, titled “Just to be with U”, later to be re-titled “Walk on Water” (3 Bad Brothaz Rmx), instantly caught fire within the club scene. Originally a song from Milk Inc, a Holland Based group, the 3 Bad Brothaz remix was being played on mix-shows everywhere and by Atlanta’s Q100’s mix-show DJ, DJ Mike B.
The remix was then picked up by Atlanta’s Top 40 radio station Q100 and was quickly put into rotation due to its popular demand on its daily mix-show Cardio Radio. While all this was happening DJ Hydraulic choose to leave the group and the 3 Bad Brothaz were one less member. In the meantime, the “Walk on Water” (Rmx) brought instant crossover success to the 3 Bad Brothaz and was set to be featured on their first album. Right before releasing their first album, DJ Hydraulic was replaced with Q100’s mix-show DJ Mike B. In 2004, newly formed members, DJ Mike B, Kontrol & Kidd Star, released the first 3 Bad Brothaz album titled “The Live Wire Show: Atlanta”. This CD was an instant classic and if you wanted a snap shot of the Breakbeat scene & music at its peak this CD would paint that picture to perfection.
From there the group continued to remix and started crafting their sound which they developed fairly quickly and coined “E-Hop”. This was out of necessity more than anything because at that time clubs were switching over to more Hip-Hop formats. E-Hop allowed a good mix of both the Breaks and Hip-Hop music. Their remix to “Yeah!” by Atlanta’s trio Usher, Ludacris & Lil’ Jon started there E-Hop journey and buzz along with their remix to “Suga, Suga”, “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and “Overnight Celebrity”. Kontrol & Kidd Star finished up several other tracks and put them together on a mix-cd titled, “E-Hop”. The response to this CD was so staggering that Live Wire sold out of 1,000 copies in 2 months. Such a demand was created that they began a mix-cd series called E-Hop and put out 9 volumes. While in the midst of putting out the mix-cd 3 Bad Brothaz started the E-Hop Brigade, a group of MC’s, B’boys and DJ’s to perform in their live show. It was during this mix-cd series that Kontrol & Kidd Star decided to continue the group by themselves while DJ Mike B wanted to continue his solo career. Kontrol & Kidd Star toured the Southeast as the 3 Bad Brothaz for the next couple years spreading the E-Hop sound and the name 3 Bad Brothaz.
In 2006, Live Wire decided to release 3 Bad Brothaz 3rd CD titled Kontrol & Kidd Star “The 3 Bad Brothaz Show”. It was on this CD that they begun testing the waters with their original production with songs such as “Can I Be A Rockstar”, “Baddest DJ” & “In The Back”. Live Wire then went on to shoot two music video’s for the singles,“In The Back” & “Baddest DJ”. “In The Back” went on to be a club anthem and put 3 Bad Brothaz name at the forefront of Club music once again. However, it stopped there when Live Wire was unable to obtain the rights for the Notorious B.I.G sample 3 Bad Brothaz used in the song.
In 2008, DJ’s Mike B, Kontrol & Kidd Star reunited in attempt to put the 3 Bad Brothaz group back together. They started by pooling their efforts and remixes into an online remix site called CrooklynClan. 3 Bad Brothaz were featured remixers on the CrooklynClan’s website but only for a short time before the group would once again part ways. In the midst of all this Kidd Star was scouting the South for Vocalists & MC’s to work with on original productions and found Kayno, an MC from Augusta, GA. Kidd Star began working on his first single, “Miss My Baby”. Live Wire would go on to shoot the music video for “Miss My Baby” that received over 1 million views on Blastro.com, however that was the last project for the 3 Bad Brothaz. The group’s creative differences were too much and this time, everyone went their own way.
In 2010, Kidd Star decided to continue the E-Hop sound and tour with Mixed Motionz Crew (B’boy Kydsonx & B’boy Grinzz) and newly signed artist Starr Jamezz. You can still hear DJ Mike B spinning on Q100’s mix-show Saturday nights on Saturday Night Q. DJ Kontrol is continuing to remix as the “The Remix Junkie” and Kidd Star remains the owner of Live Wire.
Shortly after the group parted ways Kidd Star signed a P&D Record Deal with with his label, Live Wire, and John Abbey and Ischi Records, formerly Ichiban Records. His solo album with the Brigade was finally released October 26, 2010.
