First time I've heard about the Philadelphia-based emcee Big Ish was via his famous demo "Invasion of the Body Snatcher", off his demo tape recorded in 1991.
I've contacted Big Ish to get more info but no answer, so I don't know why there were no official releases or featurings between 1991 and 1995.
Officially Big Ish was back in 1996 featuring on "Hitchu Up" from Vaughn Smith's debut album "Diamonds And Pearlz" released on tape only (Productz of the Urban Streets). One year later he featured on "Black Cezars" from Vaughn Smith's second album "Livest Spot In The City" released on CD & Tape on Brandon Records and fully produced by Groove-Da-Moast.
In 1998, Big Ish released a 12-inch titled "Sabotage" under the name of Superstar Ish, followed by the "West Philly Slim The Exceptional EP", both released on Invisible Ink Recordings.
"A lot of people think that Philadelphia is only good for cheesesteaks, tastycakes and blunts. Superstar Ish makes as good as an impression as any up and coming emcee trying to change the tarnished image associated with his hometown. Although born in the city of Brotherly Love, Ish was brought up in the birthplace of Hip Hop, the boogie down Bronx. It was there that Ish did his 10 year internship as a student of Hip Hop, mastering the art of rhyming, dancing, and deejaying. Arriving at the mecca of rap, it did not take Ish long to find a crew to call his own. Shortly after this union with fellow Bronx rapper Big Red (the baddest Latino emcee Soundview has ever produced) the crew was called Slim and Thin Productions. After scores of mix tapes and talents shows neighborhood fame was not far behind. In 1989 the group was then named The Kings of Flava, after the unfortunate suicide of member Tone Flava (Rest in Peace). In 1990 The Kings of Flava were left with two deejays (Ray Dog and Russell D) and three emcees (Ish D, Big Red, Uzi Boob). Ish had always dunn free lance work, most memorable was the duo he formed with his cousin from Brooklyn, now known as Dow Jones. For twenty-five years Dow Jones and Superstar Ish have shut shit down on the low, but now it is time to blow. Tight production and tight lyrics that reflect street science are the foundation of The Exceptional EP." - Press Sheet
I have Big Ish's full demo tape from 1991 (transferred to digital) if you want to hear it (vincentlopez at hotmail dotcom). He went to Overbrook High school with a couple of my friends from the neighborhood and that's how we ended up with it. At the time we got the demo, we thought of him as a cross between Redman and Scarface and this was before Redman's first album was released. He did have an "official" release later on, maybe in 1995, but it was hot garbage and nothing like the demos. He brought some CD's to the Sound of Upper Darby and the cover art had dollar signs all over it. Unfortunately, none of us kept a copy because we were upset.
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