Spicemaan / Bronx Knightz – Before The Storm / A New Day A New Era - 1996

 

12" - 1996 - Kill Joy Sight And Sound 

Let's talk about this 12" released by Spicemaan / Bronx Knightz in 1996. The wax came out on Kill Joy Sight And Sound and it contains 2 songs, "Before The Storm (MC Armageddon)" performed by Spicemaan on the A-side and "A New Day A New Era" performed by the group Bronx Knightz on the B-side.

As usual for this kind of rare indie hip-hop 12", no info on the internet about the emcees featuring on it... So the best way to get some, was to ask directly to the source... to Spicemaan who was the core member of the crew. 

- Spicemaan, could you tell us who were the members of the group exactly ? 

Spicemaan : "The members of the Bronx Knightz consisted of Charlie-O (Charles McKenzie), Trev Boogie (Trevor McDaniels) and me... Spicemaan a.k.a Tony Bennz (Tony Bennett Sr)."

Spicemaan : "Fun Fact...New Yorkers typically put the word “ite” or “knight” depending on which borough they came from (Brooklyn-ite, Harlem knight, etc...), I named the group Bronx Knights to show that we have a code of honor and we are like knights willing to fall on our sword to drop dope music."

- How did the connection first happen between all the members ? When did you form the group exactly ?

Spicemaan : " From 1991 to 1997, Charlie O and I worked at the self proclaimed “world’s most famous arena” Madison Square Garden in New York City. We worked in the food & merchandise warehouse. We witnessed history and celebrities from all facets of life that came through MSG. We were even there for the no legendary source awards where the unfortunate East Coast and West Coast beef was initially started. We shared a kindred spirit that was all hip-hop. The way we wore our uniforms, the way we work talk and even did our work. We operate it in the Dopeness like no one else. One day (mini days actually) I would get on stage and pretend to be rocking a crowd of thousands.  “Chuck” (that’s what I would call him) seen me and said “that’s what’s up”. Instant connection. In between our duties, we used to freestyle, compare, rhymes, and recorded music. And eventually we started meeting some grinding and innovative, underground songs. 

Trev-Boogie is Chuck's cousin. Chuck introduced us to each other. After we spoke for a while and he shared some verses, I could instantly tell that he had dope rhymes and edgy material. Instant connection... We eventually formed the group in 1996, made a few songs and then I put one song on the B-side of my debut single. The song was “A new day, A new era.” because we knew that if we blew up hip-hop would never be the same. 

A little background about the A side “Before the Storm-MC Armageddon”, the song was about the rap war that was taking place between the East Coast and the West Coast of America and the Marvel comic series, Secret Wars. I wanted to usher in an era of peace by writing a song about all of the emcees of the world, disappearing from the planet to have the ultimate rap battle. Whoever wins, gets to stay alive and be on earth. Whoever loses disappears forever. it was grimy because the times call for that type of sound to reach people and make them understand that all this hip-hop beef was only gonna take us to one place… the grave ! "

- Which part of the Bronx were you all from ? 

Spicemaan : " I am from the storied birthplace of hip-hop, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, were DJ cool Herc, DJ’d the first documented hip-hop party. Chuck represented the Soundview area I believe. Actually, I don’t remember where Trev Boogie is from. But I believe he repped there as well. "

- Who did manage the record label Kill Joy Sight And Sound ?

Spicemaan : " All executive, administration and manual street team lower level duties were operated by me. I was sole proprietor. I named it "Killjoy Sight and Sound" because we were going to break traditions, but make new ones in hip-hop, film, fashion and everything you could think of. It was supposed to be a company that represented five senses with all products. The volcano represents me being calm in the midst of chaos and calamity, which was the music business at the time."

- Who did manage the productions ?

Spicemaan : " Under the pseudonym, Spicemaan, Knowledgehead, Knowbody Special, I handled production, A&R, promotion and engineering for all artists. "

- Why was there nothing else released by the group after that 12" ?

Spicemaan : "Absolutely great question !  The short version, which is a cautionary tale for entrepreneurs is that I didn’t have a solid street team to help me do promotions beyond my capabilities.

Although I had plenty of passion, business, savvy and organization, I did not have enough staff to help me. Being everything from the CEO, CFO the janitor & the artist. The single showed up on college radio, AM Radio, hip-hop shows, and was sold in record stores. I did a lot of promotion, including spray painting the killjoy logo, all over New York, handing out, promotional CDs, tapes and vinyl and shopped the single at major and independent record labels. A few labels seemed interested, but I got more rejections than record deals. 

I never stopped making music whether it’s playing on the djembe or creating inspirational content online. In fact, I used to sell music literally on the corner next to drug dealers. It was called Nickel Bag beats. I sold 1 beat for $5, 2 beats for $10 and 3 beats for a trey ($15). They were my biggest customers. I wrote songs for people and produced music for others as well. I used to make customized voicemail songs for people and made mixtapes."

Spicemaan : "So, imagine being on your grind: working three jobs (Madison Square Garden, 2 grocery stores) in the day, and finding babysitting at night, meeting with established artist and CEOs at the club, trying to promote my vision. Although I never lost my desire to make, produce and create, I had to get money to support my son and I. In 1998 I made the decision to join the Air Force, which was 20 years of my life. I did what I had to do instead of turning to the street ways to support the vision. And trust me, there was plenty of illegitimate ways to make that green. But I wasn’t about that life. I had plenty of opportunities to sell devil rock and street poison. But I chose to serve my country in order to rep my faith and family. 

Fast forward to 2023. I am a preaching deacon, Husband of a wonderful wife, father of 5 amazing young men, almost finished my doctorate in counseling, an author (Get Over It Now, 30 days or 30 Ways“) and a content creator on social media. 

I now go by the name, TonyBennzBettterWay as an artist on my own label called Counseltainment. Because I found that Christ is the real founder and CEO of my life and Counseltainment, because I was inspired by KRS-One who had Edutainment. Since I’m a counseling life coach, I just added the TAINMENT to bring it all together.  Old and new fans can find my new music on streaming platforms."

Mad props to Spicemaan. Thanks for your time.