Slightly Stoopid is an American rock band based in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California, who describe their music as "a fusion of folk, rock, reggae and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk." As a band, they have released 13 albums (four live). The band was originally signed by Bradley Nowell from the band Sublime to his label Skunk Records while still in high school.

Slightly Stoopid
Background information
OriginSan Diego, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–present
LabelsSkunk, Stoopid, Surfdog
MembersMiles Doughty
Kyle McDonald
Ryan Moran
Oguer Ocon
DeLa
Paul Wolstencroft
Andy Geib
Past membersAdam Bausch
Kelly Vargas
Dan Lancelot
Paul Vrieling
Damion Ramirez
Doze
C-Money
Eric Bausch
Websiteslightlystoopid.com

History

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Founding, early releases (1994–2007)

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In 1994, Slightly Stoopid was formed in Ocean Beach, California by Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, both childhood friends, as well as high school friend and drummer Adam Bausch. Sublime front man Bradley Nowell was staying with Doughty’s nurse mother and doctor boyfriend in their drug rehabilitation program when he stumbled across the band. After waking up one morning, he overheard the band practicing in the garage and was impressed, asking them to perform in Long Beach, California, at the Foot Hill Tavern.[2] Nowell shortly after signed them to his label Skunk Records while the members were still attending high school.[3] In 1996 the band released their first studio album, the punk-tinged Slightly $toopid[4] (featuring a guest appearance by Nowell on the song "Prophet" – later covered by Sublime and released on their box set, Everything Under the Sun) and 1998's surf-inspired The Longest Barrel Ride.[5] In the early days of the band, Adam's brother Eric Bausch played keys.

The group self-released 2001's Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct (a 40-minute acoustic set, captured live at San Diego's rock 105.3 radio station on the Latitude 32 show) – the first for their own label, Stoopid Records,[4] before issuing 2003's Everything You Need on Surfdog Records (a musical departure for the band,[4] that sold more than 185,000 copies).

Adam Bausch left the band in 2000, two years after recording and releasing The Longest Barrel Ride. Slightly Stoopid had four drummers between Adam Bausch and their current drummer, Ryan 'RyMo' Moran. These drummers include: Kelly Vargas (of Sublime / Dissension), Dan 'Dano' Lancelot (of Gloritone / Dano's Island Sounds), Damion Ramirez (of Capitol Eye / Long Beach Shortbus), and Paul Vrieling (who is pictured in the background on the cover of the Everything You Need album). Percussionist Oguer 'OG' Ocon (congas, percussion, harp, vocals) joined the band in 2002.

After solidifying a new line-up with the removal of Bausch, due to personal differences, with the additions of Ryan 'RyMo' Moran (drums) from b-Side Players, the band began to mix even more different musical styles on 2005's Closer to the Sun. The album featured collaborations with well-known reggae names such as Barrington Levy and Scientist. Closer to the Sun impressively debuted in the Billboard Top 200 and sold nearly 25,000 copies in its first two months of release.[6]

A year later, Slightly Stoopid issued their first-ever electric live album, Winter Tour '05-'06 Live CD/DVD, as well as their first-ever DVD, Live in San Diego, while 2007 saw the release of the group's fifth studio effort, Chronchitis, which debuted at #55 on the Billboard 200, and #2 on the Independent Albums charts. In 2006, the band added horn players Christofer "C-Money" Welter & Daniel "DeLa" Delacruz to their line-up. C-Money doubled as a keys player.

Live touring

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Summer Haze 2007 tour

The group has toured frequently since its inception, including appearances at arts festivals such as Coachella, Harmony, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and New Orleans Jazz Fest. Additionally, the group has played sold-out shows in Australia, Japan, Guam, Portugal, Denmark, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Dominican Republic. "Without [the fans], we'd just be playing at the bar", admits Kyle. "They make it worth our while – when we go out and people are having that good of a time, the energy goes back and forth. Just a good time – we rely on each other's energy."

Slightly Stoopid has played with the Dave Matthews Band, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley (and the Marley Brothers), Sublime, the Roots, The Expendables, Snoop Dogg, G. Love & Special Sauce, Ozomatli, Toots and the Maytals, Helva, and Pennywise, among others, as well as their first-ever sole headlining tour of amphitheaters in 2008, joined by their friends Pepper and Sly & Robbie featuring Cherine Anderson.

The band teamed up with Snoop Dogg in 2009 for the co-headlining "Blazed & Confused Tour" across North America.[7]

Stoopid Records, live albums (2008–2011)

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In 2008, the band issued their first-ever 'odds and ends' collection, Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid – the group's newest release for their growing label, Stoopid Records (which also featured releases by other groups, including the label's first signed act, The Expendables from Santa Cruz, California). Included on Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid are outtakes from both the Closer to the Sun (including tracks that were previously issued as a limited edition bonus CD) and Chronchitis sessions, as well as a bevy of new material recorded at the famed Circle House Studios in Miami, Florida, and such cover tunes as UB40's "I Would Do For You" and the traditional "I Know You Rider" (most notably covered by The Grateful Dead). Also making their first appearance on a Slightly Stoopid studio album are newly recorded renditions of the long-time live standards "False Rhythms" and "Sinsemilla".

On September 13, 2011, the band was invited by the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir to his state-of-the-art TRI Studios for a live webcast and in-studio performance. Utilizing the technology of the studio's Constellation sound system, Slightly Stoopid had the privilege of inviting some of their closest friends and family members down to record Live at Roberto's TRI Studios, performing alongside Weir as well as Karl Denson, Don Carlos, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, and host Tommy Chong.[8] In 2011, Paul Wolstencroft joined the band on keyboard and organs.

Top of the World and Meanwhile...Back At The Lab (2012–Present)

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The band's seventh studio album, Top of the World, was released on August 14, 2012.[9] The seven-piece band continues to explore a variety of styles on Top of the World, with help from some of their biggest influences and heroes including: reggae legends Barrington Levy and Don Carlos of Black Uhuru; "unofficial 8th member" Karl Denson of Greyboy Allstars; longtime band friend and touring partner G. Love; Fishbone frontman Angelo Moore; ex-Jurassic 5 emcee extraordinaire Chali 2na; Dumpstaphunk's Ian Neville; and hit-making singer/songwriter Angela Hunte. The album entered the Billboard 200 at a career high #13, as well as on Billboard's Independent Albums chart at #3. Top of the World also debuted on Billboard's Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts with a final position of #4.

Following the album release, the band performed on the "Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ" [10][11] on August 23, followed by appearances on tastemaker indie music website Daytrotter and SiriusXM. The group also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 12 to play their current single, "Top of the World."[12]

At the end of 2013, C-Money parted ways with the band and was replaced by Andy Geib on trombone & trumpet.

Slightly Stoopid continued to tour extensively, playing 38 dates in 2014 in cities all across the US.[13] Their summer 2014 tour featured G. Love and also Bob Marley's son, Stephen Marley.

On April 20, 2015, Slightly Stoopid announced via their social media pages and website that they intended to release a new album, entitled Meanwhile...Back At The Lab. The album was released on June 30, 2015. The album's track list was subsequently published on iTunes.[14]

The band's eighth album, Everyday Life, Everyday People, released on July 13, 2018. It topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.[15] The album features special guests, Italian reggae artist, Alborosie, UB40's Ali Campbell, Chali 2na, Don Carlos (on two tracks), G.Love, and Yellowman.

 
Slightly Stoopid perform at PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey on August 17, 2023.

Musical influences

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The group is noted for their eclectic mix of rock, reggae, blues, hip-hop, metal and funk in their works. When the group first started out, they drew numerous influences from the likes of punk rock groups such as Sublime, Operation Ivy, and Rancid. Slightly Stoopid's self-titled album was released months after Brad Nowell's death in 1996 under Skunk Records. Their reggae influences stem from artists such as Yellowman, Don Carlos and Buju Banton.[16]

The band has also experimented with hip-hop on their more recent albums.[citation needed] The song "The Otherside" off the album Chronchitis features the late rapper Guru. They note hip hop influences NWA and Eazy-E, Wu-Tang Clan, and Gang Starr.[citation needed] Miles Doughty's vocal style in particular references reggae legends Eek a Mouse, Pinchers, and Tenor Saw quite often.[citation needed]

Lineup

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Slightly Stoopid performing at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA in July 2022.

Current band members

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  • Miles Doughty – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass (1994–Present)
  • Kyle McDonald – Lead Vocals, Bass, Guitar (1994–Present)
  • Ryan Moran ("RyMo") – Drums (2000–Present)
  • Oguer "OG" Ocon – Congas, Percussion, Harp, Backing Vocals (2003–Present)
  • Daniel "DeLa" Delacruz – Saxophone (2006–Present)
  • Andy Geib – Trombone (2013–Present)
  • Paul Wolstencroft – Keyboards (2013–Present)

Guest members

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Slightly Stoopid with Chali 2na performing at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA in July 2022.

Past band members

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  • Adam Bausch – Drums (1994–2000)
  • Chris "C-Money" Welter – Trumpet (2006–2013)

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums and chart peaks by Slightly Stoopid
Year Album title Billboard chart Peaks Release details
US
[17]
Ind
[18]
Alt
[19]
Digi
[20]
Heat
[21]
Taste
[22]
Int
[23]
Reg
[23]
1996 Slightly $toopid
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Skunk
  • Format: CD
1998 The Longest Barrel Ride
  • Released: November 21, 1998
  • Label: Skunk
  • Format: CD
2003 Everything You Need 20 35
  • Released: March 18, 2003
  • Label: Surfdog
  • Format: CD
2005 Closer to the Sun 121 1 4
  • Released: April 19, 2005
  • Label: Reincarnate Music/Imusic
  • Format: CD, digital
2007 Chronchitis 55 2 15 55 10 55
  • Released: August 7, 2007
  • Label: Controlled Substance Sound Labs, Powerslave (Japan)
  • Format: CD, digital
2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid 73 8 22 19
  • Released: July 22, 2008
  • Label: Stoopid
  • Format: CD, digital
2012 Top of the World 13 3 4 6 5 5
  • Released: August 14, 2012
  • Label: Stoopid
  • Format: CD, digital
2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab 37 3 3 13 12 13
  • Released: June 29, 2015
  • Label: Stoopid
  • Format: CD, digital
2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People 60 2 5 9 13 1
  • Released: July 13, 2018
  • Label: Stoopid
  • Format: Vinyl, CD, Cassette, digital
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums/DVDs

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  • Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP (2008)

Singles

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Incomplete list of songs by Slightly Stoopid
Year Title Chart peaks[25] Certifications Album
Mod Rock Hot Rock
2007 "2 A.M." 37 Chronchitis
2012 "Top Of The World" 25 Top of the World
2015 "The Prophet" 40 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab

Other certified songs

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Incomplete list of songs by Slightly Stoopid
Year Title Certifications Album
2003 "Collie Man" RIAA: Gold[26] Everything You Need
2005 "Closer To The Sun" RIAA: Platinum[26] Closer To The Sun

Songs

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  • Singles that did not chart/top tracks off each album
Title Release Date Album
"Hey Stoopid" (Live) 1996 Slightly $toopid
"Righteous Man"  1996 Slightly $toopid
"Civil Oppression"  1996 Slightly $toopid
"Smoke Rasta Dub"  1996 Slightly $toopid
"American Man" 1996 Slightly $toopid
"To A Party" 1996 Slightly $toopid
"Living Dread" 1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Struggler"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Ese Loco"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Castles Made of Sand" 1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Johnny Law"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Sinking Stone"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Hands of Time"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"I'm So Stoned"  1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Slightly Stoopid" 1998 Longest Barrel Ride
"Collie Man"  2003 Everything You Need
"Killin' Me Deep Inside"  2003 Everything You Need
"Everything You Need" 2003 Everything You Need
"Mellow Mood" (feat. G. Love)  2003 Everything You Need
"Wicked Rebel"  2003 Everything You Need
"Officer"  2003 Everything You Need
"Leaving On A Jet Plane"  2003 Everything You Need
"World Goes Round" (feat. I-Man)  2003 Everything You Need
"Runnin' With A Gun" 2003 Everything You Need
"Prophet"  2004 Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct
"Couldn't Get High"  2004 Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct
"Sensimilla"  2004 Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct
"Fire Shot"  2004 Acoustic Roots: Live & Direct
"Closer To The Sun"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"This Joint"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Bandelero"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Don't Care"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"See It No Other Way" (feat. Barrington Levy)  2005 Closer To The Sun
"I Would Do For You"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Till It Gets Wet"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Ain't Got A Lot of Money"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Fat Spliffs"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Open Road"  2005 Closer To The Sun
"Hold on to the One"  2007 Chronchitis
"Anywhere I Go"  2007 Chronchitis
"Ocean"  2007 Chronchitis
"Round The World"  2007 Chronchitis
"Nobody Knows"  2007 Chronchitis
"The Otherside" (feat. Guru)  2007 Chronchitis
"Blood of My Blood"  2007 Chronchitis
"Baby I Like It" (feat. G. Love)  2007 Chronchitis
"Girl U So Fine, Part 1 & 2"  2007 Chronchitis
"The Fruits (Legalize Them)"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"Tom & Jerry"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"No Cocaine"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"Supernatural"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"Thinkin' Bout Cops"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"She Bang"  2008 Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid EP
"Just Thinking" (feat. Chali 2na) 2012 Top of the World
"Marijuana" (feat. Don Carlos)  2012 Top of the World
"Don't Stop"  2012 Top of the World
"Deal With Rhythm"  2012 Top of the World
"Ur Love" (feat. Barrington Levy)  2012 Top of the World
"New Day"  2012 Top of the World
"Mona June" (feat. Angela Hunte)  2012 Top of the World
"Hiphoppablues" (feat. G. Love) 2012 Top of the World
"Ska Diddy" (feat. Angelo Moore)  2012 Top of the World
"Dabbington"  2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab
"One Bright Day" (feat. Angela Hunte)  2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab
"Fuck You" (feat. Beardo)  2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab
"This Version"  2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab
"Rolling Stone"  2015 Meanwhile...Back at the Lab
"If You Want It" (feat. Alborosie) 2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"One More Night" 2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Stay The Same (Prayer For You)" (feat. Don Carlos)  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Livin' In Babylon" (feat. Yellowman)  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Punisher" 2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Everyday People" (feat. G. Love)  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Fire Below"  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Legalize It" (feat. Ali Campbell of UB40) 2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Too Late"  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Higher Now" (feat. Chali 2na)  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"Talk Too Much" (feat. Don Carlos) 2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"No One Stops Us Now/Nobody Knows"  2018 Everyday Life, Everyday People
"The Gambler" (Kenny Rogers cover)  April 3, 2020 (Single)
"Too Late" (Stick Figure Remix)  June 17, 2020 (Single)
"Everyday People" (Headhunter Remix) (feat. B-Real of Cypress Hill and G. Love & Special Sauce) December 10, 2021 (Single)
"Got Me On The Run" (feat. Stick Figure and Pepper) November 10, 2023 (Single)

Summer tours

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Summer tours for Slightly Stoopid
Year Tour name Tour-mates
2007 Summer Haze Tour G. Love and Ozomatli
2008 Tailgate Tour Pepper and Sly & Robbie
2009 Blazed and Confused Tour Snoop Dogg and Stephen Marley
2010 Legalize It Tour Cypress Hill and Collie Buddz
2011 Seedless Summer Tour Rebelution and Shwayze & Cisco Adler
2012 Unity Tour 311, SOJA, and The Aggrolites
2013 Kickin' Up Dust Tour Atmosphere
2014 Summer Sessions Tour Stephen Marley, G. Love & Special Sauce, and NOFX
2015 Everything is Awesome Tour Dirty Heads, The Expendables, and Stick Figure
2016 Return of the Red Eye Summer 2016 Tour SOJA, Fortunate Youth (select dates), Zion-I, The Grouch, and Eligh (select dates)
2017 Sounds of Summer Tour 2017 Iration, J Boog, and The Movement
2018 School's out for Summer 2018 Stick Figure and Pepper
2019 How I Spent My Summer Vacation 2019 Matisyahu, Tribal Seeds, and HIRIE
2020 Summer Traditions 2020 Pepper, Common Kings, and Don Carlos (Canceled due to COVID-19)
2021 Summer Traditions 2021 Pepper, Common Kings, and Don Carlos (Canceled due to COVID-19)
2022 Summer Traditions 2022 Pepper, Common Kings, and Fortunate Youth
2023 Summertime 2023 Sublime with Rome, Atmosphere, and The Movement

Other projects

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In August 2021, Slightly Stoopid collaborated with Stay Up Movement (SUM), a company that makes eco-friendly sunglasses. They have a pair of exclusive limited-edition polarized shades used and approved by the band (one in matte black with red + orange tinted lenses, and one in a tortoise shell frame).[27]

After a decades-long relationship with Black Flys Sunglasses, in 2022, Slightly Stoopid teamed up with owner Moe Sim on his company's "Artist Collaborations" line. One of their limited edition sunglasses is called a "Stoopid Fly" which is decked out in the band's own branding.[28]

In the summer of 2022, the band collaborated with Torrance, California's Buzzrock Brewing Co. with the "Stoopid Tangie Summer Haze", a fruity lager that's brewed with "stoopid" fruits, including tangerine.[29]

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References

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  1. ^ "Arenas & Amphitheatres – Slightly Stoopid". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 19. Nielsen Business Media. 15 May 2010. p. 22. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. ^ "Interview: Michael "Miguel" Happoldt (Part 2 of 2)". The Pier Magazine. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  3. ^ "Slightly Stoopid". Surfdog Records. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
  4. ^ a b c Slightly Stoopid Discography at AllMusic
  5. ^ "Longest Barrel Ride - Slightly Stoopid | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  6. ^ Loftus, Johnny. "Slightly Stoopid – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  7. ^ "Live Review: The Blazed and Confused Tour (Snoop Dogg and Slightly Stoopid) – Irvine, CA". ArtistDirect.com. 2009-07-12. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  8. ^ "Slightly Stoopid announce the official release of Slightly Stoopid & Friends "Live At Roberto's" TRI Studios 9.13.11". SlightlyStoopid.com. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  9. ^ "Slightly Stoopid's Album Info & Release Date". Thepier.org. 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  10. ^ "The World Famous KROQ - KROQ-FM | 106.7 KROQ". Audacy.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Red Bull Media House Webhosting". Redbullusa.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Performs "Top of the World"". Youtube.com. 2012-09-13. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  13. ^ "Slightly Stoopid". Slightly Stoopid. Oniracom. Retrieved August 31, 2014.
  14. ^ "Meanwhile...Back at the Lab by Slightly Stoopid". Music.apple.com. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  15. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2018) "Slightly Stoopid tops Billboard", Jamaica Observer, July 24, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018
  16. ^ "Thirsty : October 2009 : Interview with Ryan Moran of Slightly Stoopid". Staythirstymedia.com. Retrieved 2012-10-04.
  17. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  18. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard.com.
  19. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard.com.
  20. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Album Chart History: Digital Albums". Billboard.com.
  21. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Album Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard.com.
  22. ^ "Slightly Stoopid Album Chart History: Tastemaker Albums". Billboard.com.
  23. ^ a b "Charts". Billboard.biz. Search under Charts for Slightly Stoopid
  24. ^ Varga, George (July 17, 2013). "Slightly Stoopid? Not even close". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  25. ^ "Slightly Stoopid". Billboard.com. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  26. ^ a b c "American certifications – Slightly Stoopid". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  27. ^ "Polarized Sunglasses | SUM Eyewear". Stayupmovement.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Slightly Stoopid's Collaboration with Black Flys Sunglasses". Thepier.org. 24 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Drink Menu". Hermosabeach.thebrewshall.com.
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Further reading

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