Lamont Coleman, known professionally as Big L, was an American rapper. Emerging from Harlem in New York City in 1992, Big L became known among underground hip-hop fans for his freestyling ability. He was eventually signed to Columbia Records, where, in 1995, he released his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous. On February 15, 1999, he was fatally shot nine times in a drive-by shooting in Harlem.
Mark Howard James, professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King, was an American hip hop producer and DJ from The Bronx, New York. He began DJing in the mid-1980s. His pseudonym, the 45 King, came from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records.
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper Big L, and the only to be released during his lifetime. It was released on March 28, 1995, by Columbia Records. The recording sessions took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York, in mid-to-late 1994. The album was produced by Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, and Craig Boogie. The album title is a play on the television series, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
Donald Lamont, professionally known by his stage name Donald-D, is an American rapper and record producer from the Bronx, New York. He is a member of the Universal Zulu Nation, a member of the B-Boys, and is best known as a member of Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate.
Robert A. Hall, Jr., known by his stage name Lord Finesse, is an American rapper and hip-hop producer from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. crew. About.com ranked him number 29 on its list of the Top-50 Hip-Hop Producers.
Omar Gerryl Credle, better known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper and member of the group D.I.T.C. He has been involved with several underground hip hop groups, namely Crooklyn Dodgers '95, Luv NY, and Perestroika.
Cold Chillin' Records was a record label that released music during the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. A producer-and-crew label founded by manager Tyrone Williams and run by Len Fichtelberg, most of the label's releases were by members of the Juice Crew, a loosely knit group of artists centered on producer Marley Marl. In 1998, the label shut down, and the majority of its expansive catalog was bought by Massachusetts-based LandSpeed Records.
Showbiz and A.G. is an American hip hop duo from The Bronx borough of New York City, composed of record producer Rodney "Showbiz" Lemay and rapper Andre "A.G." Barnes. The duo formed soon after their debut on the song "Back to Back Rhyming" from Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album and joined the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. along with Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and Big L.
Live and Let Die is the third and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. It was released on November 24, 1992, via Cold Chillin' Records and features Big Daddy Kane, Bushwick Bill, Ice Cube and Scarface. The singles "Ill Street Blues" and "On The Run" both received consistent airplay on Yo! MTV Raps and BET's Rap City upon release.
Funky Technician is the debut album by the American hip hop artists Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth, released in 1990 on Wild Pitch Records. It was produced by Smooth, DJ Premier, and Diamond D and Showbiz. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. In 2008, the album was re-released on Wild Pitch Records.
Represent is the debut studio album by American rapper Fat Joe da Gangsta. The album's lead single "Flow Joe" peaked number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 by late 1993. In mid-1994, he released his second single "Watch the Sound" followed by "The Shit Is Real", featuring a remix by DJ Premier, which would appear on Joe's second album.
Soul Clap is the debut extended play by American underground hip hop duo Showbiz and A.G. It was self-released in 1991 via their own independent record label Showbiz Records; and re-released on March 17, 1992 though London/Payday Records after signing a record deal. Production was handled by Showbiz and Diamond D. It features guest appearances from Lord Finesse and Diamond D on the posse cut "Diggin' in the Crates", which later became the name of hip hop collective D.I.T.C. Songs "Party Groove", "Soul Clap" and "Catchin' Wreck" later was featured on the duo's debut LP Runaway Slave.
Home Invasion is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ice-T, released on March 23, 1993, via Rhyme $yndicate/Priority Records. It was originally set for release in 1992 as part of his deal with Sire/Warner Bros. Records, and supposed to be his first official release through his own Rhyme $yndicate record label, now in full control of the content as part of a new distribution deal with Priority Records.
Derek W. Murphy, better known as Sadat X, is an American rapper, best known as a member of alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
Tha Triflin' Album is the third studio album by West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It was released on January 26, 1993, via Capitol Records. Recording sessions took place in 1992 in California. Production was handled by nine record producers, including DJ Pooh, DJ Aladdin, Bobcat, Marley Marl, Tha Alkaholiks, Broadway, SLJ, Mr. Woody, and King T himself. It also features guest appearances from Ice Cube, Deadly Threat, Nefretitti, Mad Kap, and Tha Alkaholiks. The album spawned two singles: "Got It Bad Y'all" and "Black Togetha Again". Both singles were later included on King Tee's greatest hits compilation Ruff Rhymes: Greatest Hits Collection. The album peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The success of this album is quite significant as it allowed King Tee's protégés, Tha Alkaholiks, to gain a following. It also provided a foundation for King Tee's Likwit Crew.
Ice-T VI: Return of the Real is the sixth studio album by American rapper Ice-T. It was released on June 4, 1996, via Rhyme $yndicate/Priority Records. The title is a play on words based on the movie Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, with the "VI" referring to it being his sixth album. Production was handled by several record producers, including Aquel, Big Rich, DJ Ace, Dre MC, E-A-Ski, Hen-Gee, Mad Rome, San Man, SLJ, Trials of Flowalistics, and Ice-T himself. It also features guest appearances from Hot Dolla, Powerlord JEL, Mr. Wesside, Godfather of Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Sean E. Sean of Body Count, Deft Saplin, K-Wiz Spurt, and Angela Rollins.
We're in This Together is the 1990 studio album by American hip hop duo Low Profile. It was released in 1990 through Priority Records, and it was produced entirely by DJ Aladdin. The album peaked at number 66 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
"O.G. Original Gangster" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Ice-T. It was released as a single from the rapper's fourth studio album of the same name. The song was produced by Tracy "Ice-T" Marrow, Shafiq "SLJ" Husayn and Alphonso "DJ Aladdin" Henderson, and released in 1991 via Sire Records. Reaching a peak position of number 7 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs, the single remained on the chart for a total of 11 weeks. The track also appears on the retrospective Greatest Hits: The Evidence and in the 2004 Xbox video game Def Jam: Fight for NY with Ice-T featuring in the game as himself as a playable character and in the storyline.
"I Ain't New Ta This" is a song performed by American recording artist Ice-T. It was released as the first single from the rapper's fifth studio album Home Invasion. The song was produced by Tracy "Ice-T" Marrow, Shafiq "SLJ" Husayn and Alphonso "DJ Aladdin" Henderson, and released on April 14, 1993 via Rhyme $yndicate Records. The single peaked at number 62 in the UK and number 49 in New Zealand.
Low Profile was an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles. The group consisted of rapper William "W.C." Calhoun Jr. and record producer Alphonso "D.J. Aladdin" Henderson, who went on to pursue a career in visual arts. The duo made its debut with Rhyme $yndicate Records, on a compilation album produced by Ice-T and Afrika Islam, before becoming a duo on Priority Records.
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