The Outfit - The Soundtrack To Life - 2026

2xLP - 2026 - 90's Tapes / HHV 

" Recorded between 1995-1999 and originally released in 1999, "The Soundtrack To Life" stands as the sole full-length statement by The Outfit, an underground hip-hop collective from Delaware. At a time when commercial rap increasingly dominated the charts, the group embraced a more thoughtful and organic approach rooted in classic boom-bap traditions. Soulful samples, warm jazz-infused production and introspective lyricism define the album's character, offering an alternative to the glossy sound of the era. 

Far from seeking mainstream attention, The Outfit focused on authenticity and substance. "The Soundtrack To Life" unfolds like a personal diary, touching on everyday experiences, aspirations and social observations with sincerity and maturity. Although the record never achieved widespread commercial success, it has earned respect among collectors and fans of mid-to-late-1990s independent Hip-Hop. More than two decades after its release, the album remains a hidden gem and a testament to an era when craftsmanship and message mattered as much as style. " - courtesy of 90's Tapes

Available in a limited run on 2LP (350 copies), CD in jewel case (300 copies), MC (100 copies). Includes 5 bonus songs, 4 of them are from their 12" released in 1997 on Oblique Recordings Inc.

Order  

Raw - Linguistic Ventriloquist - 1997

12" - 1997 - Tetrahedron  

If you're looking for Conscious Hip-Hop, here is a good wax which won't cost you a lot of money. "Linguistic Ventriloquist"  was released in 1997 on Tetrahedron by the Hip-Hop Artist and Activist Richard Raw aka RAW from Wilmington, Delaware and member of The Lost Children Of Babylon. All the tracks of the records "Comment #3 (Family Of The Continents)", "Distant Traveler" and "Balancement (720°) were produced by Paul Ki-d.

RAW - Photo courtesy of Richard Raw

The Mischievous LQ and The Mad Mischief Crew

Wilmington, Delaware was the place where was formed the indie Hip-Hop group called The Mischievous LQ and The Mad Mischief Crew in 1996. 

The core member of the group was Terrance L. Bradshaw the smooth assassin a.k.a the mischievous LQ a.k.a Iller Nizer T9ner. The other members of the crew were Mr. Chill, Ra Dodge, Skip Diesel, the Phantom, Naughty and Slim The Warrior. All these cats weren't from the same neighborhood but were hand-picked from each side of the first city first state Wilmington Delaware 302 by the mischievous LQ himself. 

In 1996 , they dropped their first single "Mischief Night" on vinyl and tape on King Poet Records. This record is considered as a classic nowadays. The cassette single is a little bit different from the 12" with two more tracks on it, named "Live" and "Criminal Tactics". 

1996 - King Poet Records 

A promo album called "Nonsense: Volume One" composed of 15 tracks was pressed on CD as well in 1998, but only few copies exist  and are really hard to find. 

CD - 1998 - King Poet Records 

 LQ : "Basically we wanted an international ring, a worldwide Buzz so we all passed out the CD, the wax and the tapes. Basically I'm from the attic and the basement era and we didn't have a major, just independent. I was VP and co-owner of King Poet Records under Dennis Flowers a.k.a Godfather who was co-owner and president. But Dennis Flowers passed away in '99 and the ship sunk cuz of his family..."

Most of this stuff was reissued by the great record label from Milwaukee (WI), Dope Folks Records in 2013.

Props to Terrance L. Bradshaw and big thanks to Neil Andrew for the tape cover scan.

Cipha - Rock Rock On ... - 1996

12" - 1996 - Sojourn Records

Cipha, is a hip-hop group consisting of two brothers from Wilmington, Delaware, Flex and Solomon a.k.a Flex&Hated rose to local fame during the golden era of the late 90’s. This was fueled by the success of the classic indie single “Rock, Rock On b/w Scared to Die” released on the duo’s label Sojourn Records in 1996.

The single received positive reviews in the Vibe Magazine (June-July 1996), Rap Sheet (July 1996), Rap Pages (August-Sept 1996) and other well-known publications at the time. 

"If you’re still thinking that a rhyme cipher is nothing but a group of MCs trading flows, Cipha (Sojourn Productions, 302-655-6035) will put an end to that misconception. Vocally burn rushing the set from Wilmington, Delaware, Flex and Solomon pose a threat to all competition with their old school influenced single « Rock Rock On ». This Rhythmic concoction has a nod your head while you lace up your Pumas type of flow that doubles with punchy kick drums and wind cutting snares..." - Review from Vibe Magazine - 1996

"Rock, Rock On", charted on the College Radio Chart (CMJ) for weeks after its release. The well-reviewed single garnered enough interest to catch the attention of Def Jam Records, Violator Management and Spike Lee’s short lived label 40 acres and a Mule. Ultimately, Cipha decided to remain independent and released several singles during the late 90’s and one mixtape-album entitled “Lose Your Life Here” in 1999. The success of the single allowed Cipha to establish relationships with key music executives at Motown, Def Jam, Bad Boy Entertainment, Atlantic Records and Universal Music Group, this led to Cipha being invited to recording sessions of prominent artists at the time, including 50 Cent, Onyx, Lil Kim, Black Rob, and many others.

Cipha & Nas in Philadelphia circa '95 - Photo courtesy of Flex

Cipha was supposed to be part of a various unsigned artists compilation called "Sleepers" with The elementals, Marchitect and Jas Mace (Both members of the Outfit) but according to Jas Mace the comp never came out ... 

"We worked together throwing parties in delaware and used the money to finance our music. Flex& hated were Cipha and Marchitect, The Count, myself and a few others were The Outfit. Our plan was to eventually do a compilation between the two camps but it never happened.

SLEEPERS ENT was the name of the five of us for throwing hip-hop parties around the way." 

- Jas Mace

 In recent years, a resurgence of interest in 90s hip-hop has the original vinyl of Flex&Hated’s “Rock Rock, On”, selling via online music outlets for over $200.00 a record.  Flex&Hated are currently in the studio working on a new full length album, tentatively entitled “Heroes Never Die” slated to be released 1^st quarter of 2018 along with a re-issue of the original “Rock Rock On” vinyl and the follow up single “Holla Back”. 



Props to Flex & Jas Mace