10 Years of King Of GFunk: A Decade of Kokane’s Manifesto
Today, March 18, 2026, marks exactly ten years since Jerry Buddy Long Jr., better known to the world as Kokane, released his monumental project King Of GFunk. For the Blackout Hip Hop community, Kokane isn’t just “the hook guy”—he’s a true institution bridging Motown soul with the raw G-Funk of Pomona.
When this album dropped in 2016 under his independent label Bud E Boy Entertainment, the industry was in transition, but Kokane chose to return to his roots. King Of GFunk wasn’t just another release; it was a 22-track double album that served as a reminder of who actually laid the bricks for the style that still slaps in lowriders across California.
Kokane’s pedigree is undeniable. As the son of Motown composer Jerry B. Long Sr., who penned hits for The Temptations, Jerry Jr. spent his childhood in the studio, soaking up the arrangements that would later define the G-Funk era. His journey from Ruthless Records, where he co-wrote for N.W.A (including “Appetite for Destruction”) under Eazy-E’s mentorship, to his pivotal role on Snoop Dogg’s Tha Last Meal, established him as the world’s most featured artist with over 1,800 recordings .
The 2016 album gathered a “who’s who” of the West Coast. On “40 Below,” he was joined by the legendary Bootsy Collins, while George Clinton appeared on “Diplomatic,” directly connecting 70s P-Funk with modern gangsta vibes. The production team was equally heavy: DJ Battlecat, Meech Wells, Sean Wells, and Westcoast Stone delivered the thick basslines and signature synths that define the “West Coast slap”.
A standout moment on the album is “Don’t Go” featuring Snoop Dogg, where the chemistry between the two icons recalls their peak collaborations from the early 2000s. Additionally, “Plastic Surgery” with Short Khop offered a metaphorical critique of the music industry’s phoniness, while “Tryin To Kill Us” maintained the social consciousness that has always been central to Kokane’s work .
What sets King Of GFunk apart is Kokane’s “majorly independent” mindset. Through Bud E Boy Entertainment, he emphasized owning masters and educating the next generation, including his daughter Aanisah Long, who also features on the project. Today, a decade later, that model proves visionary. Kokane still controls his legacy, evidenced by recent drops like the 2024 Dr. Kokanstine trilogy .
Ten years ago, with this album, Kokane sent a message that G-Funk isn’t dead—it has evolved into a mature, layered sound that doesn’t chase trends. Today, we salute that consistency.
