Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Spotlight on Nuphskillz






It's been 11 years since the snippets of this 93 demo tape was uploaded on YouTube, and no further information about this New Jersey-based group has surfaced since. So better late than never... let me bring you some ! 

Nuphskillz was a group from Newark, NJ, consisting of Chuck Darkness, Hardroc Da Verbal Bully, Doc Diesel (RIP), Doc-C and Sideshow Skee.


It all started when Chuck Darkness, who was originally a solo rapper, decided to put a group together. Since they all came from the same neighborhood (4th Ave 11th Street), he first recruited Hardroc Da Verbal Bullye and taught him how to rap.

Doc Diesel, who had all the equipment and handled the production, joined the crew as its DJ and beatmaker. Then there was Sideshow Skee, a childhood friend who grew up with them and served as the group's hype man. From what I know, he brought an incredible energy to the crew. Chuck Darkness met Doc-C in college and he eventually joined the group, stepping in to replace Hardroc after he got locked up. 


This 4-Track demo tape is the only material recorded by the group under the name Nuphskillz. The group later changed its name to Kurrupt Thoughtz after parting ways with Doc-C. In 1994, Hardroc, Chuck Darkness and Doc Diesel released their one and only 12" (Smoked Out / Summer Madness / Off With Hiz Heads) on the independent label 411 Recordings, which was managed by Hardroc & Chuck Darkness. Only 150 copies were pressed at the time, so the wax became extremely rare and hard to find.



12" - 1994 - 411 Recordings  








That's all I can say about this group. After that, Hardroc went solo and recorded an entire mixtape with Tha Governer a.k.a Gov Mattic (RIP) titled "I Know Where You Live". He is still a BrickMob member and goes now by the name Rocco Bomber. Sideshow Skee got married and moved to Maryland. Doc-C stopped rapping and he moved also. Doc Diesel was still a producer but sadly he passed away in 2023... Rest In Peace. As for Chuck Darkness, he still lives in Newark and he creates AI sitcoms & movies.


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