Redhead Kingpin and the F.B.I.

The group was led by emcee David "Redhead" Guppy (an actual redhead), who also played keyboards. The F.B.I. consisted of Joseph "D.J. Wildstyle" Mann, Bo Roc, Lt. Squeak, Buzz, and Poochie.{{cite web|url=http://musiclab.co.jp/sample_albums_pg_870.pdf|title=Billboard chart : REDHEAD KINGPIN AND THE FBI|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822194315/http://musiclab.co.jp/sample_albums_pg_870.pdf|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=2011-08-22}}

A Shade of Red contained two other singles, "Pump It, Hottie", which reached No. 2 on the US Hot Rap Singles Chart in 1990, and "We Rock the Mic Right". The album was produced by Redhead and Markell Riley from the duo Wreckx-N-Effect (the younger brother of producer Teddy Riley) and was heavily influenced by the new jack swing trend at the time.

In 1991, the group released its second and final album, The Album with No Name.{{cite web|last1=Floyd|first1=John|title=Artist Biography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/redhead-kingpin-and-the-fbi-mn0000453694|website=AllMusic|access-date=25 October 2021}} Recorded at Hillside Studios, Englewood, New Jersey, and Soundtracks Studios, New York, The Album with No Name peaked at No. 182 on the Billboard 200, while the song "3-2-1 Pump" reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The group also appeared on a track of the soundtrack of the 1991 film New Jack City. That same year, Guppy made his acting debut in the film Strictly Business, which also starred Halle Berry.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348457/|title=David 'Redhead' Guppy|website=IMDb|access-date=2020-04-26}}

In 1992, Guppy co-wrote the song "Two Can Play That Game", which was recorded by Bobby Brown on his album, Bobby.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/bobby-mw0000098551|title=Bobby Brown - Bobby (1992): Track Listing|website=AllMusic|access-date=2020-04-26}}

In 1993, Redhead Kingpin returned with Gicci Brown, D.J. Wildstyle, and Knowledge to form a new group called Private Investigators.{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1998|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0252-6|page=282}} Private Investigators had a harder-edged hip hop sound, and released one album titled React Like Ya Knew on Virgin/EMI.{{cite web|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6225897/a/React+Like+Ya+Knew.htm|title=Private Investigators - React Like Ya Knew CD Album|website=CD Universe|date=1993-08-24|access-date=2012-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205502/https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6225897|archive-date=September 26, 2018}}

In 2000, Redhead Kingpin produced a track on the Nutty Professor II: The Klumps soundtrack entitled "No (You Didn't Say)" by Kandice Love.

In 2006, Redhead Kingpin was featured on the Nas single "Where Are They Now."

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs artist}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P70n79jp2Y "Do the Right Thing" Video]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l9tb0JaDf4 "Mash up the Mic" by Private Investigators Video]

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Category:Virgin Records artists

Category:American hip-hop groups

Category:New jack swing music groups

Category:Five percenters