Bios
Pooh Man LiL Mouse Baby Balla Q-Ball LiL G J*Dunkin Black Frost Ace BiG $teveThe history began in July of 2001 on Independence Day. It was a hot summer day on 20th and North in Milwaukee Wisconsin when Steven "Big Steve" Luster, and his two brothers Marquon "Q-Ball" Green formerly known as "Mean Green" and Kenneth "Baby Balla" Dunlap were engaging in a freestyle session with their neighbors Jon "J-Dunkin" Jones and twin Ron "Black Frost" Jones once named "Mr. Get it on Jones". Hours later Garland "LiL G" Murray who changed his name from "G-Money", Marcel "LiL Mouse" Jones and Waymon "Pooh Man" Green, came to join in on the excitement. From living on the same block for over four years, all of the boys knew one another. Prior to the freestyle session, they often hung out and played basketball and football. On one particular session everyone went with topic of basketball. It was on every since then. Although not officially a group, the boys decided to write verses about the game of basketball and continued to rehearse the song. When relatives heard the noise they were constantly telling the artist how good they sounded together. The boys were in doubt about their potential as a whole group, but finally they gave it a chance. Of course, someone said, "What are we gone call ourselves?"
The desired name had to be something that would fit all eight members. One of the first suggestions was "Ghost Town Boyz" because they live in an area known as Ghost Town. Finally after much debate and many suggestions, an agreement was made for the name 20th Street Ballaz or often written as TSB. The name means boys on 20th Street who met through playing basketball together and later rapping as a collective unit.
After a few practice days the song received a name ("Hoopa Fa Sho"), and awhile down the line an up-tempo beat produced by group member J-Dunkin. After being a group for a little less than a year the newly created 20th Street Ballaz did their first talent showcase at Afro Fest (Aug.3, 2001). At that time Pooh did not have an individual verse, but he has many of them now as well as a verse to Hoopa Fa Sho. TSB placed 9th out of 30 talented acts. In the meantime they were do as many different shows as possible to gain publicity. By the time the school started the following year TSB had a name for themselves, as well as a growing fan base. At the time TSB was rolling with Lil G's uncle's record company (Kings Paradise Records).
Little did anyone know, the growth of the Ballaz was not yet complete? During the academic year Steven met a guy by the name of Leon Evans who was already rapping and called himself Ace. Through a little conversation Ace found out about his schoolmates Steven, Jon, and Ron's skills on the mic. He immediately wanted to meet someone from the label they were with. Due to King Paradises busy schedule they didn't have time for another artist so the suggestion they gave was "put em wit da ballaz." After voting among all the group members and auditioning Leon, he was admitted into the 20th Street Ballaz. His alias is still Ace but likes the nickname "tha 9th balla." From that day on Ace basically lived on 20th with everyone else, or he was there everyday in other words.
The Ballaz were on a fast pace and recorded their first single "Hoopa Fa Sho" on Oct.27, 2001 the day prior to performing in front of a sell-out Apollo Night crowd. The show also featured Milwaukee's very own Coo Coo Cal and singer Ren. The best thing about the group is that all songs have a positive message for any ages. They are truly progressing in the rap game. We came from nothing to something said the 20th Street Ballaz in one of their songs. It started in a hot room on a tape recorder, a radio, no microphones, and a cha-cha beat. Everyone can get ready, cuz dey gone be here forever.