La Familia is a Romanian rap group formed in January 1996, three years after B.U.G. Mafia, and two years after Parazi?ii, but still early by Romanian hip hop standards. They established a national reputation with a style of gangsta rap similar to B.U.G. Mafia and distinct from R.A.C.L.A. and Parazi?ii's acts. The group was founded by Tudor Si?u and Drago? Gardescu (a.k.a. Puya). Like many hip hop artists, they fought a hard battle for visibility and success. Si?u was raised by his mother and Puya was the youngest of four brothers, both from a periphery neighborhood of Bucharest. By 1997 they had held concerts throughout the country. In 1998, their album Nic?ieri nu-i ca acas? ("No Place Like Home") was one of the best selling albums in Romania, and with their video Tupeu de Borfa? ("Hustler Nerve") in heavy rotation in Romania for several months, they became well-known all over the country. In 2003, Tudor Si?u was sent