Ricardo Emmanuel Brown (born November 23, 1972), better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer who aided gangsta rap's rise via 1990s verses helping set lasting trends.[3][4] He is one half of the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, along with Daz Dillinger. His first solo album was released in 1998. After feuding, the duo reunited in 2005.