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La Familia (rap group)

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La Familia
Puya (far left) and Sișu (far right) at the microphones
Puya (far left) and Sișu (far right) at the microphones
Background information
Also known asSișu & Puya
OriginBalta Albă Sălăjan, Bucharest, Romania
GenresGangsta rap, G-Funk Christian rap, Conscious rap
Years active1997–2011; 2017–present
LabelsCat Music, Scandalos Music
MembersPuya
Sișu Tudor
DJ Wicked

La Familia are a Romanian hip hop group from Sălăjan, Bucharest. Founded in 1997 by Dragoș "Puya" Gărdescu and Tudor Sișu, they have been widely regarded as pioneers of the gangsta rap subgenre in their native Romania.

Mentored by fellow gangsta rap group B.U.G. Mafia, they quickly emerged as one of Romania's most popular rap acts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2003, group member Tudor Sișu was sentenced to three years in prison after being arrested by Romanian authorities in a widely publicized drug-trafficking case.[1][2][3][4] The group also lost the rights to its name after a public feud with former mentors B.U.G. Mafia, whom they had lyrically attacked in an unreleased song the previous year. Group member Puya worked mostly individually on their 2004 effort, before managing to recover the rights for the band's name following a lengthy court trial.[5] In late 2005, Sișu was paroled and the group resumed its activity before finally disbanding in 2011. This followed a string of failed attempts at releasing a comeback album. Gărdescu and Sișu have remained cordial, reuniting frequently on each other's solo efforts and occasionally for live performances.

In 2017, they reunited as La Familia and released the Codul bunelor maniere (The code of good manners) album.

History

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Formation and first three albums (1997–1999)

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Tudor Sișu and Dragoș Gardescu (also known as Puya) grew up in the Balta Albă Sălăjan neighborhood from Bucharest, Romania, both of them being fans of Tupac Shakur.[6][7][8][9] They both started rapping as teenagers, each having their own band, Sișu's being Il-egal that was formed together with three neighbors from his apartment block which later united with bands Delikt and Apă tare, forming Asasinii noii ere, while Puya was a member of the Ghetto Birds band.[4][6][10][11][12] Sișu and Puya met for the first time while they were with their bands at B.U.G. Mafia member, Tataee's home.[4][6][10][11][9] Shortly after they decided to form a band together, naming it La Familia after a song with the same name performed by Kid Frost.[4][6][11][13][14]

Their first album, Băieți de cartier (Hoodboys) was released also in 1997 and was sold in 10.000 copies, which was beyond their expectations as they did not have any videos for any song and the music piracy going on in the country in those times.[8][9][15][16][17][18] In 1998, the group had its first video and national hit, called "Tupeu de borfaș" which was featuring female singer Marijuana and had lyrics dissing R.A.C.L.A. and Getto Daci.[14][15][17] The song was part of their second album, Nicăieri nu-i ca acasă (There's no place like home).[8][14][15][17][19] La Familia's third album, Bine ai venit în Paradis (Welcome to Paradise) was released in 1999 and contained two of their best ever hits which they also made videos for them, "Probleme de familie" (Family problems) and "Vorbe" (Words) featuring B.U.G. Mafia member, Uzzi.[8][15][17][20]

Hits and troubles (2000–2011)

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In 2000, the group released its first EP, called Ca la Noi (As We Do It), the following year releasing the album Familiarizează-te (Familiarize yourself).[8][15][17]

In 2003, La Familia released its fifth album Punct și de la capăt (Full stop. New paragraph) which contained two hits, "Zi de zi" (Day by day) and "Viață bună" (Good life), both of them featuring Don Baxter, the first one also featuring Cabron.[8][14][15][17][21] In the same year, Sișu was arrested for drug-trafficking, while Puya was arrested for the use of fake credit cards in Belgium, also shortly afterwards, they got into a beef with their former mentors, B.U.G. Mafia who registered the La Familia name to the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, not allowing them to use it anymore.[1][2][3][4][5][12][13][14][17] In 2004 under the name Sișu & Puya, they released the album Foame de bani (Hunger for money) which was performed mostly by Puya, as Sișu was still in jail at the time.[8][14][15][17][22] The album contained a diss track against B.U.G. Mafia that became a hit, the song having the same name as the album.[5][14][17][23] Also in the same year, Puya created his own record label called Scandalos Music and the following year DJ Wicked joined the band.[14][24] In 2006, they released the O mare familie (One big family) album, then the following year, they released a greatest hits album called De 10 ani tot în familie (For 10 years still in the family) which was released with a concert held by Puya in the Jilava Prison where Sișu was still imprisoned.[8][15][25]

After recovering the La Familia name in 2010 after the trial with B.U.G. Mafia, they released a song called Pești mici (Little fishes) which was included on the soundtrack of the short film with the same name in which Puya played the main character.[26] However the group disbanded in the following year.[27]

Reunion (2017–present)

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Sișu and Puya reunited in 2017, releasing the first album under the name of La Familia since the name recovery called Codul bunelor maniere (The code of good manners) which contained the Dulce Răzbunare (Sweet vengeance) song featuring M3thaphour, which contained lyrics against Șatra B.E.N.Z.[8][16][17][27][28] After six years, they released another album called Foarte (Very).[29]

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In 1997, Sișu and Puya, together with B.U.G. Mafia members Tataee, Caddilac and Uzzi, were taken into police custody after a concert in Turnu Severin, being charged with outrage against good customs.[30] They were eventually released after 10 hours of giving statements at the police station and the district attorney's office.[30] The Romanian media brought the case to national attention, this being the starting point of a media frenzy that would bring a lot of unexpected fame for both La Familia and B.U.G. Mafia.[30] At Paraziții's Nici o problemă (No Problem) album release concert from 1999, a fight started between the band members of La Familia and R.A.C.L.A.[31]

Sișu was arrested for drug-trafficking on several occasions, the first time being in 2003, spending a total of 6 years in prison.[1][2][3][4][11][7][12][32] In the same year, Puya spent four months in a prison in Belgium for the use of fake credit cards, being released after a bail was paid.[33]

In 2004 they had a big conflict with their former friends, B.U.G. Mafia who registered the La Familia name to the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, not allowing them to use it anymore.[5][13][14][17][34] According to B.U.G. Mafia member, Tataee, the roots of the conflict started about two years earlier when Mafia created their own record label, named Casa Productions and they wanted them to join as members but La Familia wanted only as partners.[13] As Mafia did not accept to be partners, La Familia made a diss track aimed against them called Cu cărțile pe față (With the cards face up) which was never officially released but Mafia found out about it and one of its members, Caddy registered the La Familia name to the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks, asking Sișu and Puya 15.000€ to give them the name back.[5][13][14][17][9][35][36] After a long trial between Puya and Caddy, in 2010 the High Court of Cassation and Justice gave the La Familia name to Puya.[5][13][14][9][34][36][37] At the MTV Romania Music Awards 2006 edition, Puya got into a fight with Grasu XXL and Tataee in the backstage, after the latter spat on him.[38]

In 2022, Puya was caught by police officers driving his scooter in Bucharest under the influence of cocaine.[39]

Members

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  • Sișu (1997–2011, 2017–)
  • Puya (1997–2011, 2017–)
  • DJ Wicked (2005–2011, 2017–)

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • 1997 - Băieți de Cartier (Hoodboys)
  • 1998 - Nicăieri nu-i ca acasă (There's no place like home)
  • 1999 - Bine ai venit în Paradis (Welcome to Paradise)
  • 2001 - Familiarizează-te (Familiarize yourself)
  • 2003 - Punct și de la capăt (Full stop. New paragraph)
  • 2004 - Foame de bani (Hunger for money)
  • 2006 - O mare familie (One big family)
  • 2017 - Codul bunelor maniere (The code of good manners)
  • 2023 - Foarte (Very)

Extended plays

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  • 2000 - Ca la noi (As we do it)

Greatest hits albums

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  • 2007 - De 10 ani tot în familie (For 10 years still in the family)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Tudor Sișu, condamnat DEFINITIV la 4 ani de închisoare" [Tudor Sișu, DEFINITELY sentenced to 4 years in prison] (in Romanian). Realitatea.net. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Sisu, condamnat pentru trafic si consum de droguri. Puya: Nu comentez" [Sisu, convicted for drug trafficking and consumption. Puya: I don't comment] (in Romanian). Stirileprotv.ro. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "Verdict final: Sisu, condamnat definitiv la patru ani de inchisoare pentru trafic de droguri | Muzica" [Final verdict: Sisu, definitively sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking] (in Romanian). A1.ro. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Ieșit din pușcărie, Sișu ține predici la Vaslui" [Released from prison, Sișu preaches in Vaslui] (in Romanian). Ziarulevenimentul.ro. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Puya a castigat definitiv procesul cu B.U.G. Mafia" [Puya won the lawsuit with B.U.G. Mafia] (in Romanian). Stiri.acasa.ro. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Documentar La Familia, Partea 1" [Documentary La Familia, Part 1] (in Romanian). Stiri.acasa.ro. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Tudor Sișu, confesiuni după șase ani de pușcărie! "Mama nu a venit niciodată să mă vadă la închisoare"" [Tudor Sișu, confessions after six years in prison! "My mother never came to see me in prison"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "La Familia, biografie" [La Familia, biography] (in Romanian). Lafamilia.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Familiile lui Sisu" [Sișu's families] (in Romanian). Dor.ro. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Sișu Tudor" (in Romanian). Hiphopkulture.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "Sișu Tudor" (in Romanian). Last.fm. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b c "Se mai droghează Sișu? Artistul a spus adevărul! "S-au lăsat ele de mine"" [Is Sisu still taking drugs? The artist told the truth! "They left me"] (in Romanian). Click.ro. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Interviu-eveniment (partea a II-a). B.U.G Mafia la 20 de ani de carieră:"E vina tuturor politicienilor că s-au comportat ca niște țărani"" [Interview-event (part II). B.U.G Mafia at 20 years of career: "It's the fault of all politicians that they behaved like peasants"] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Puya biografie" [Puya biography] (in Romanian). Cinemagia.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "La Familia" (in Romanian). Last.fm. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Istoria trupei La Familia povestită chiar de Puya și Sișu" [The history of the band La Familia told by Puya and Sişu themselves] (in Romanian). Profm.ro. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Am ascultat toate melodiile La Familia ca să înțeleg cum s-au dat cu Coaliția pentru Familie" [I listened to all the La Familia songs to understand how they went with the Family Coalition] (in Romanian). Vice.com. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Baieti de cartier" (in Romanian). Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Bine ai venit in paradis" (in Romanian). Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Remember: La Familia feat Uzzi – Vorbe" (in Romanian). Urban.ro. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Punct si de la capat" (in Romanian). Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Foame de bani" (in Romanian). Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Puya castiga procesul cu trupa BUG Mafia!Poate folosi numele "La Familia"" [Puya wins the lawsuit with the band BUG Mafia! He can use the name "La Familia"] (in Romanian). Stirileprotv.ro. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  24. ^ "DJ Wicked & Indjstione – Hasta la victoria siempre" (in Romanian). Hiphoplive.ro. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Puya, fotografiat "sub acoperire" prin București. Nu te-ai fi așteptat să îl vezi așa pe rapper!" [Puya, photographed "undercover" in Bucharest. You wouldn't have expected to see the rapper like this!] (in Romanian). Cancan.ro. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Puya a avut câştiguri uriaşe din muzică! Fondatorul trupei "La Familia" nu a încasat niciodată atât de mulţi bani!" [Puya had huge earnings from music! The founder of the band "La Familia" has never collected so much money!] (in Romanian). Wowbiz.ro. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  25. ^ "O mare familie" (in Romanian). Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "La Familia lansare la Jilava" [La Familia launch at Jilava] (in Romanian). Romanialibera.ro. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Scurtmetraj: Puya, în lumea celor care nu cuvântă" [Short film: Puya, in the world of those who do not speak] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.ro. 25 July 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "La Familia- Pesti mici" (in Romanian). Redactia4fun.ro. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  27. ^ a b "La Familia reunită la Untold după 6 ani de pauză" [La Familia reunited at Untold after a 6-year break]. Sapteseri.ro. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Fotografii cu fanii La Familia care au sărbătorit în parc revenirea trupei" [Photos of La Familia fans who celebrated the band's return in the park]. Vice.com. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Codul bunelor maniere". Lafamiliaofficial.ro. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "La Familia feat M3taphour - Dulce razbunare". Infomusic.ro. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Puya și Tudor Sișu înregistrează un nou album "La Familia" în studioul producătorului Eduard Schneider de la Sebeș" [Puya and Tudor Sișu record a new album "La Familia" in the studio of producer Eduard Schneider from Sebeș] (in Romanian). Alba24.ro. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Lansare noul album LA FAMILIA - "FOARTE"" [Release of the new album LA FAMILIA - "FORTE"] (in Romanian). Onevent.ro. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  30. ^ a b c "Vă amintiți de BUG MAFIA? Nici nu știți ce penali erau!" [Remember BUG MAFIA? You don't even know what the criminal records they have!] (in Romanian). Retetesivedete.ro. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  31. ^ "Zece ani de Paraziții" [Ten years of Paraziții] (in Romanian). Jurnalul.ro. 19 December 2004. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Sișu, despre prima condamnare la închisoare:"Când am auzit de ce mă acuză, m-a pufnit râsul"" [Sișu, about the first prison sentence: "When I heard what they were accusing me of, I burst out laughing"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Cum s-a transformat viața lui Sișu Tudor, după ce a învins dependența de droguri: "Depresia este o formă de singurătate, faptul că nu ai oameni cu care să te împărtășești..."" [How did Sișu Tudor's life change after overcoming drug addiction: "Depression is a form of loneliness, the fact that you don't have people to share with..."] (in Romanian). Viva.ro. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "COȘMARUL trăit de o VEDETĂ în penitenciarele din România. "Erau celule cu 100 de oameni"" [THE NIGHTMARE experienced by a STAR in Romanian penitentiaries. "There were cells with 100 people"] (in Romanian). Evz.ro. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Tudor Sișu de la "La Familia", declarații uimitoare după 6 ani petrecuți în închisoare. Ce face acum" [Tudor Sișu from "La Familia", amazing statements after 6 years spent in prison. What is he doing now] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Transformarea uluitoare a lui Tudor Sișu după 6 ani de închisoare. A vorbit deschis despre asta" [The amazing transformation of Tudor Sișu after 6 years in prison. He spoke openly about it] (in Romanian). Playtech.ro. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  33. ^ ""Am facut puscarie"" ["I went to jail"] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Puya a facut puscarie" [Puya went to jail] (in Romanian). Muzicabuna.ro. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Blestemul La Familia. Nu doar Sișu a trecut prin pușcărie. Puya, noua vedetă de la "Chefi la cuțite", și episodul care i-a marcat tinerețea" [The Curse of the Family. Not only Sișu went through prison. Puya, the new star of "Chefi la cucite", and the episode that marked his youth] (in Romanian). Evz.ro. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Puya a câştigat procesul cu BUG Mafia pentru numele "La Familia"" [Puya Wins Lawsuit With BUG Mafia Over "La Familia" Name] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Puya a castigat procesul cu BUG Mafia" [Puya won the BUG Mafia case] (in Romanian). Mediafax.ro. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Puya a câştigat definitiv procesul pentru numele de "La Familia"" [Puya definitively won the lawsuit for the name "La Familia"] (in Romanian). Adevarul.ro. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Puya câştigă procesul privind numele trupei "La familia"" [Puya wins the lawsuit over the name of the band "La familia"] (in Romanian). Romanialibera.ro. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Puya a castigat procesul cu BUG Mafia si poate folosi numele "La familia"" [Puya won the lawsuit with BUG Mafia and can use the name "La familia"] (in Romanian). Mediafax.ro. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Scandal la premiile MTV" [Scandal at the MTV awards] (in Romanian). Studentie.ro. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
    "Scandal la Premiile MTV" [Scandal at the MTV awards] (in Romanian). Libertatea.ro. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Toate locurile din țară unde s-a lăsat cu haos și scandal la concertele BUG Mafia" [All the places in the country where there was chaos and scandal at the BUG Mafia concerts] (in Romanian). Vice.com. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Puya, drogat în trafic. Artistul conducea un scuter și i s-a făcut dosar penal" [Puya, drugged in traffic. The artist was driving a scooter and a criminal case was filed against him] (in Romanian). Playtech.ro. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    "Ce pedeapsă riscă Puya după ce a fost prins drogat pe scuter. Polițiștii i-au făcut dosar penal" [What punishment does Puya risk after he was caught high on his scooter. The police filed a criminal case against him] (in Romanian). Stirileprotv.ro. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
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