MEMG Presents Fat Nogin Civilianz - 1998

Tape - 1998 - MEMG 

Back in 1998, with this rare and dope comp released on tape by this crew from Virginia named Fat Nogin Civilianz. 

The collective was formed by different groups or artists like Vertical Status (Dalu, Soul Sun & Malik Starr), Exstra Black Adishon (N-Tel & Natural), Verbale Unknown (Majestic & Rapster Funk), Vinyl Scavengaz (N-Tel, Majestic & Ant Live), Bless, M Squared, Shabazz and Philosophy.

The project was released on Most Entertainement Music Group which originally started as a management company in 1995 and became a record company in 1997. 

It was managed by two childhood friends named Dante .R Parham and D. Carlos Johnson from Petersburg,VA. Carlos Johnson was  also known by the rap name KAY ILL who also features on the comp. 

3000 copies of this tape were released in 1998. It contains 14 tracks with productions from:

• Mark Life for Noise Makers / Wired 4 Sound Productions.
• P. Hill a.k.a Drop for Drop Productions.
• D. Olds a.k.a Majestic, D. Ricks a.k.a N-Tel and A. Patterson a.k.a Ant Live for Vinyl Scavengaz Productions.
• L. Sharp a.k.a Malik Starr and J. Davenport a.k.a Stryfe for 19 Nu-Styles Vibe Masters Productions

"Portsmouth based rappers E.B.A (Exstra Black Adishon) are generating a stir of conversation in their hometown. And with the de but album "The Struggle Upwards" the rest of the hip-hop community will find out what Powertown heads have already known for a while. "The Struggle Upwards" scheduled for a late summer release and is produced entirely by the groups' own Moor Gold Productions squad.

Admirers of the group from near and afar have heard the group rip microphones on various compilation albums and at live performances.  They penned 3 songs for the self titled “Fat Nogin Civilianz” album that sparked a buzz strong enough to grab the attention of fans in Seoul Korea. EBA contributed the inspirational, “Domingo’s Prayer,” to the Hip-hop compilation “Street Hip-Hop Volume 1” released by New Music Source, an international record label in Seoul Korea.  They have also worked with several of Virginia’s upcoming producers and emcees that are leading a strong underground movement throughout the Seven Grand Cities and
Richmond area.

The group’s love affair with music began in the mid-80’s while only elementary school students. During their junior high school days, EBA repped for a Powertown based crew called Triclopse.  While attending I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, the duo began to make a name for themselves by battling any emcees who said they had “skills.” Triclopse eventually emerged into another group of talented emcees to create the group Fat Nogin Civilianz. Later EBA started wrecking mics at high school talent shows, open mics, clubs, and even the VA Beach strip. “We used to get chased and harassed by the cops just for rhyming in ciphers on the boardwalk. Anyway, we would perform at any venue that had an open mic that’s for sure.”  

EBA made their mark performing at live venues. Their eletricfying shows and stage chemistry embedded their performances is the minds of area hip hoppers for years to come. In 1995, Natural bought the FNC camp to the attention of Jomo Management, which eventually got the group signed to the upstart independent Most Entertainment Music Group, Inc.

The hard-hitting "True Lies" displays a verbal assault on phony gangster rappers with no street credibility. "I see you tough guys fantasize / A Life of True Lies". The opening line says it all.

"Poisonous false rebuttals got’em caught in life’s hustle / It’s a Hollywood shuffle of desperados who smuggle/ Thoughtless compositions based on mystery missions / That put illusions in ya vision like platinum pulp fiction."-- Natural, (Taken from verse 2)

“This cut was inspired by seeing too many fake ass video cats. Don’t fall victim to your own hype! Fuck television and telling lies visually. Give the people information, because it’s more valuable than the fabrications” - Natural 

On the Vinyl Scanvengaz produced "N-Site" EBA shows more laid back and mellow approach to attacking the mic.

"My vernacular charasma cracks your back like a drunk chiropractor / I’m a robot with a soul / When I was a tadpole / I swam dams and lakes / Now I procreate / The mental state / With the energy / Check my imagery / Increase as I release my speech / Sharp as a hawk’s beak / I spit when my tongue touches my teeth."  -- N-Tel, (Taken from verse 1)

Being partnered with one of the most influential independent brands in Virginia, EBA has big plans for their careers. "We have a plan that involves redefining and retooling the real hip-hop as we know it to be. Our staying power will be determined by our success at achieving that goal." - MEMG Press Kit - 1998

"Vertical Status, a well established hip-hop team, are not new to the Virginia rap scene. Darryl Lewis a.k.a Dalu, Victor Stith a.k.a Soul Sun and L. Sharp a.k.a Malik Starr accompanied with their “Upward Motion-True Devotion” motto has enabled them to overcome numerous obstacles and to bring forth their innovative approach to Hip Hop’s musical corridors. Since their formation in 1989 at Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Va., Vertical Status has established a foothold as one of the Tidewater areas’ premier rap groups. They officially formed the group in 1991.    

Vertical Status has gained recognition and accumulated an extensive list of personal venues and appearances since their ground breaking high school performances. The trio has had a long string of performances during 1994 and 1995 that included guest spots on “Ya Mamma’s Got A Rap Show” on 103 FM JAMZ, the SOS Crew Segment on 92.1 FM. 

More recent performances have included appearances at Chowan College in North Carolina, and an electric performance at Open-Mic during Freaknik in Atlanta, Ga. in 1997.

Photo courtesy of TheArtofChill

   

As part of the Fat Nogin Civilianz, Vertical Status is defined as constantly elevating spiritually, mentally, and musically. To build and maintain is this multi-marketable groups objective, for where there is no foundation, there can be no establishment. 

Currently, the members are enrolled in college courses. Darryl is attending Norfolk State University pursuing a degree in Marketing and Victor is attending the Institute of Technical Training, an architectural and graphic design school in Portsmouth." - MEMG Press Kit - 1998

"Back in stride again. That’s the best way to characterize the recent reunion of Derrick Olds (Majestic) and Tony Stith (Rapster Funk), formally known to the world as Verbale Unknown. Having been separated the last three years due to some unfortunate circumstances, the group has reemerged and have captured that original vibe that made them the wordsmith they are today.  

During the separation period, Majestic held the torch for the group and made sure the group’s name and sound were heard during this hiatus. His contributions to various projects and showcases have made Verbale Unknown one of the most anticipated groups in the Tidewater area. With the slick production of the artist and other Vinyl Scavengaz Producers, this duo is hungry and ready to take their rightful positioning in the Hip Hop industry. Verbale Unknown has seen their far share of setbacks, but their recent recordings and live performances will make others bear witness to the fact that the future for this team is bright." - MEMG Press Kit - 1998

This track features P.Hill aka Drop who was also in a group called The Alleykatz with Malik Starr and DJ Bink Dawg. 

Mad Props to Dante R. Parham, Darryl Lewis and my man Frederic Thecle for the tape rip.