Torence Ivy Hatch Jr. (born November 14, 1982), better known by his stage name Boosie BadAzz or simply Boosie (formerly Lil' Boosie), is an American rapper. Hatch began rapping in the 1990s as a member of the Southern hip hop collective Concentration Camp, eventually pursuing a solo career in 2000 with the release of his debut album Youngest of da Camp. After leaving the label the following year, he signed with Pimp C's Trill Entertainment to release his second studio album, For My Thugz (2002). One of the most prominent figures of Southern
hip hop, Hatch has gone on to release thirteen solo studio albums, as well as seven collaborative albums and 44 mixtapes.
In 2009, Hatch was sentenced to four years in prison on drug and gun charges. In 2010, he was indicted on first-degree murder, and was also sentenced to 10 years on multiple charges of drug possession with intent of distribution. In 2012, he was found not guilty of murder. After serving 5 years in prison for drug charges, Hatch was released early on March 5, 2014.
Boosie was born Torrence Hatch on November 14, 1982, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and grew up on West Garfield Street. His mother, Connie Hatch (née Givens), was a school principal whose father was a pastor. His father, Torence Hatch Sr., died in 1997. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child.
Lil Boosie's cousin Young Dee introduced Boosie to Baton Rouge rapper C-Loc in the late 1990s. He was mentored by Young Bleed and C-Loc as well as MD. and joined Concentration Camp, a rap group from Baton Rouge formed by C-Loc in the mid nineties, as the youngest member in 1998. The group consisted of Young Bleed, C-Loc, Happy Perez, Boo, Max Minelli, J-Von, Lee Tyme and Lucky Knuckles. He eventually debuted on C-Loc's fifth album, 'It's A Gamble' in 2000 under his old alias Boosie and Concentration Camp third studio album Camp III : Thug Brothas in 2000.
The departure of Young Bleed from the Camp helped put Lil Boosie in a prime position amongst the group. Alongside C-Loc and Max Minelli, he served as one of the "faces" of the Camp. At 17 years of age, he recorded his debut album, the aptly-titled Youngest of da Camp, (Camp Life Entertainment, 2000). The album production was mostly handled by Happy Perez, and featured C-Loc, Max Minelli and Donkey.
In 2001 he joined Trill Entertainment backed by its CEO the late Pimp C of UGK. Soon after, Trill independently released the album For My Thugz under his new alias Lil Boosie in 2002. The album featured Pimp C, Young Bleed, Webbie while he also put out his first mixtape title Boosie 2002 (Advance) featuring contributions by Max Minelli and Pimp C.
2003–2005: Ghetto Stories, Gangsta Muzik and Warner Bros.
Later in the summer of 2003, Boosie collaborated with Webbie on the album Ghetto Stories, presented by Pimp C. In 2004, the duo worked together again on Trill Azz Mixtape Vol. 1, which also featured an appearance of Torrence "Bad Azz". In the same year, he released Trill Azz Mixes II which introduced Phat, later known as Lil Phat. He paired up again with Webbie, to release their second compilation album, Gangsta Musik. He caught the eye of some Universal Music Group representatives.
In 2004 Lil Boosie and South Coast Coalition released Both Sides of the Track. Boosie also released a compilation mixtape title Bad Ass with a few new tracks like Trill Shit. It also featured the track I Smoke, I Drank by Body Head Bangerz featuring Boosie and Young Bleed off their debut album Body Head Bangerz: Volume One. January 1, 2005, Boosie teamed up with Lava House Records to release United We Stand, Divided We Fall. He also released Street Code with Pat Lowrenzo. In 2005, Lil Boosie released Bad Ass (Advance) to promote Bad Azz.
In late January 2005, Boosie signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records.
2006–2008: Bad Azz and Survival of the Fittest
In early 2006, Trill released Bad Ass Mixtape Vol.1 as a follow-up to (Bad Ass Advance). In 2006, Boosie's major label debut album Bad Azz was released. It contained the single "Zoom" featuring Yung Joc. A Bad Azz DVD followed where the rapper explained the death of his father due to drugs and his fight against diabetes. In early December 2006, the mixtape "Streetz Iz Mine" was released by Lil Boosie and DJ Drama (Gangsta Grillz), featuring a guest appearance by Webbie.
In 2007, Lil Boosie released Bad Azz Mixtapes Vol. 2 while together with Webbie he featured on the remix of "Wipe Me Down" by rapper Foxx. It was put on the Trill Entertainment compilation album Survival of the Fittest, which was released in 2007. In 2008 Boosie released Da Beginning Mixtape. At Lil Boosie's Fourth of July Bash party, he passed out his new mixtape, 4th Of July Bash. In December 2008, Lil Boosie released Lil Boosie Presents: Da Click, which features Da Click (Hatch Boy, Locco, Quick and Bleek). In 2008, he was featured on the single "Independent" by Webbie and was among several rappers to be featured on "Out Here Grindin" by DJ Khaled.
2009: Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz and Bad Azz Entertainment
In March 2009 Boosie released The Return Of Mr. Wipe Me Down as a promotion mixtape to his second major album. The Runners and V-12 produced some of the mixtape. Lil Boosie again passed out an untitled mixtape at his July of 4th Bash. Songs from the tape eventually ended up on Da Click: Street Kingz which was released July 14. In 2009, Lil Boosie released his second major album Superbad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz. The first single from the album, "Better Believe It", featured Webbie and Young Jeezy. Promotional music videos for songs from the album, such as "I'm a Dog" and "Loose as a Goose," were released.
Also in 2009, Lil Boosie presented his debut label Bad Azz Entertainment. Lil Boosie released Thug Passion on his Bad Azz Entertainment label in 2009. In the summer (July) of 2009, Lil Boosie and Hurricane Chris released a mixtape titled Category 7: Bad Azz Hurricane. Lil Boosie also released a mixtape titled Untouchables with LoLa Monroe. Lil Boosie also released a mixtape titled The 25th Hour. On an interlude on the mixtape, he speaks on his prison term.
In 2010 Lil Boosie and C-Loc, his former CEO, released Unbreakable as a Compilation CD. In 2010, Lil Boosie announced in prison, facing charges of murder and conspiracy, that he wanted to move forward with his career. Boosie released his fourth studio album, Incarcerated, on September 28 on Asylum Records. According to MTV News, the project is almost entirely produced by B.J., although Mouse on Tha Track did some work on it as well. Webbie, Foxx and Lil Trill are among the featured guests.