Lil' Eddie

Lil' Eddie formed in Los Angeles in the late 1990s, with Eddie Martinez on vocals, Jake Davis on guitar, Matt Gibson on bass, and Joe Gonzalez on drums. Their debut album "Statue" came out in 1999, and the title track got some radio play. The band's sound mixed hip-hop, rock, and soul, and they developed a following for lyrics that touched on social issues, addiction, and poverty.

Some of their other songs include "Conceited," "Already Yours," and "21 And Over." Their material sometimes drew criticism for how it handled violence and drugs, while some listeners appreciated the directness. In 2002, there was a lawsuit from a former member over royalties that was settled out of court.

The lineup changed over time, but Martinez remained the frontman. They kept putting out music that stayed in that same general territory of blending genres and tackling difficult subjects without much polish.