Let's talk about the Philadelphia '90s indie hip-hop scene, focusing on the 12-inch releases by the MC known as 24-7 a.k.a. The Bang-Bang Poet 24-7 a.k.a. DJ Nicky Butters.
His musical journey began in high school, where he developed his skills as both a DJ and an MC. He first emerged as a member of the group Versatile Uptown, before becoming the DJ for Craig Irving, prior to Irving's rise to prominence as Doodlebug of the acclaimed group Digable Planets. Following a brief hiatus, he returned to the scene under the name 24-7, releasing his first 12-inch record with his crew, 24-7 and the Hoodfellas. He later adopted the moniker The Bang-Bang Poet 24-7, marking the next phase of his artistic evolution.
His first single "Let's Have It" came out in 1993 on the Homicide Records label, and was produced by Black Hollywood Productions. His second 12-inch "Unbelievable / Here Comes The Bang-Bang Poet" came out in 1994 on Everglade Records, and was produced by 24-7 and Power. Both records were mixed and engineered by Philly legend DJ Miz. Both records are definitely something to own in your record collection.
Here is another dope 12" from a duo named Da Funk from Philly which consisted of Eric Hall and Ken Jackson. The wax came out in 1996 on Bedrock Productions and it was also released on Cassette tape. The A-side consists of 3 tracks, the first one is "Money" which is the main single produced by Miles and featuring Eyse Da Superstar from the group Tasc 4orce.
The sample used by Miles for the production of this single comes from a song entitled "Let Me Love You" performed by Michael Henderson and taken from the album "Goin' Places" released in 1977 on Buddah Records.
The other tracks of the A-side are "You Can Come And Get down" produced by the legendary DJ Miz and "Lifestyle" produced by DJ Dante. All the instrumental versions are on the flip side.
I talked to Chris Butler who was one of the executive producers but I'm not able to give you more info about this duo unfortunately, except that Ken Jackson is still in the music production nowadays... I've also asked some info to Eyse and DJ Miz, which have been stayed without answers so far ...
This wax is definitely something to own in his record collection, but if you're lucky enough to find one, it will be very difficult to grab it for a very good price... good luck !
Back to Philly with this group named Da Nu Flava consisted of Mr TiT a.k.a Titty Man, Big Bow and Da Boi Gee from West Philly... 46st Millcreek Projects.
Photo courtesy of Omar Long
In 1997 they dropped their debut 12" on DNF Entertainment. This wax is composed of the tracks "Heated Summer Jam" and "Blow This Spot (Da Jam)" on the A-side (named the 4-Side), both tracks produced by Ruggedness for RMD Productions, and the tracks "Intro", "Da Ooh!" (clean and street versions) on the B-side (named the 6-Side), produced by DJ Miz a.k.a Mizery.
From Left To Right : Dream / Mr Tittyman / DJ Miz & Big Bow - 1993 - Recording "Da Ooh" in the Studio 51st & Walnut - Photo courtesy of Omar Long
Mr Tittyman, could you tell us how the connection happened between all the members of the group ?
Mr Tittyman : "I started out dancing for my cousin Donald “Big Bow” Anderson who was the lead emcee of a group called The Slick Boys ( who also danced for The Krown Rulers) and DJ Rick Money from Camden. We opened a show for MC Breeze on Camden Waterfront in 86 and that was the first time I spit in front of a large crowd at the young age of 12.
From there I begin writing for a group I formed and went on to combine with my cousin to form Da Nu Flava. We later added my homie Gordon “Da Boi Gee” Frazier to add some back group singing vocals."
How did the connection happen between the group and the producers Ruggedness and Mizery ?
Mr Tittyman : "Linked with DJ Miz through a common friend and my Dj Donald “Macky Woods” Trawick. We then recorded at Byrd’s Nest in SW Philly and then recorded our first released single “Da Ooh!” at Third Story studio in West.
We hooked up with Ruggedness through my homie Tuda who was affiliated with Major Figures, who we ultimately won a contest against at The Felton to perform at the Wachovia Center to open up for LL, Missy Elliot, Timbaland and Magoo, Red and Meth, Ram Squad, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz . That was when 103.9 FM was a hip hop and RnB station in 1998."
Who did manage DNF Entertainment ?
Mr Tittyman : "In 95 we went to ATL to sign management deal with ATAC Management who at the time managed Dru Hill. They took off, went platinum and I believe ATAC became overwhelmed with such rapid success that it pushed all its other groups to the rear instead of them using Dru Hill as leverage to let companies know they recognize and have a roster full of talent, like Puff did with Bad Boy."
Big Bow & Titty Man - Photo courtesy of Omar Long
If you don't have it in your record collection, the wax is sometimes for sale online but it still remains rare... For the CD Headz, you need to know that Da Nu Flava dropped a 9-track CD entitled "Radio Flava" in 1998 (8 tracks produced by Ruggedness and 1 track produced by DJ Miz), but this one is not listed on Discogs... and I've never seen one for sale online.
Mad Props to Omar "Mr TittyMan" Long, thanks for your time.
There are a lot of 12" that we don't see often for sale online and this 12" is one of them. Recently it was sold on ebay for 461,99 $ ... crazy isn't it ?
What a Pity that this Philly-based group named Misphitz released only one 12" in the mid-90s. It came out in 1994 on Topp-Choice Wreckords, a record label mostly managed by Lil' Troy a.k.a Troy Carter (from 2 Too Many) who was also the group manager. The 12" consists of the tracks "Comin' With Da' Flow" produced by Willie Gunz, "Get On Up" available in its Radio version produced by Mac G and in its Mizery Mix version produced by the legendary DJ Miz, and the track "Unh Ahh" produced by Black.
Dre : "It was a 4 member (3 male & 1 female) group consisting of Tahir, Orock, myself and originally T Spoon, but she was replaced by Steph Pockets... it's funny because T Spoon is on "Comin' with Da' Flow" but Steph is on "Get On Up".
Dre : "Troy Carter formed the group, he was the mastermind. He was introduced to Tahir, he was my brother from another, so he invited me in... I initially declined but decided to take a chance as we were all emcees actively individually doing our thing. Tahir knew T Spoon from school and Orock was my cousin... it kinda all naturally and organically happened after that. Tahir and I were from Germantown, Orock was from Chester, T Spoon was from North Philly and Steph was from West."
Steph Pockets : "I was from West Philly 5 houses from Will's house.
Around 1984, I first started writing short verses. My sister and the other older kids in the neighborhood would be outside rapping and I would always try to tag along and do what they were doing. In 1985 I said I wanted to be a rapper when I grew up so I took Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) to school with me for career day. We had to bring someone to class that was in a career we thought we wanted to be in.
I went to middle school with Dre and Tahir, the same school I brought Will to."
From Left to Right : O, Tahir and Dre with manager Troy Carter - Photo courtesy of Dre
Dre : "The producers DJ Miz, Black & Mac G were all links set up by Troy Carter...with the exception of Willie Gunz. We were signed to Untouchables Ent. and he was a producer Eddie F thought would be a good fit for our project. The record was supposed to be released as a white label. We were bootlegging our own material due to conflicts with the label at the time, which ended up being the reason for the groups demise. Honestly... I squarely take responsibility for walking away from the entire situation. I was too smart but young and not wise...but yeah...those were some really dope producers for their time. I was humbled to work with each of them...and speaking of the producers we worked with, much love to DJ Miz...I know he doesn't know and probably doesn't remember but he is the reason I produce and engineer to this day. The session with him mixing that record was a paradigm shift in my life..."
Misphitz recorded other songs but the tracks on the 12" are the only ones that ever saw light of day. After that, the group broke up and all the members went separate ways.
Photo courtesy of Dre'
Dre : "From a business perspective being an artist on a label owned by your manager is a pretty shaky situation.
Tahir became one of the biggest Islamic scholars in the world. Orock hasn't made a project but is under the name Ali The Hypeman on social media...I've been searching for T Spoon...one of my cousins told me she's in a salon somewhere I dunno how true that is...Steph Pockets has an incredible catalog. She's putting in work globally primarily in Japan. I'm always in the studio working on something either for an artist or myself. I recently have been recording after a long hiatus since releasing 'culture of kings' a few years back. I've also produced and executive produced many projects. Troy Carter later on went and discovered Lady Gaga... small world."
Steph Pockets : "The group broke up, I was the only one that wanted to keep rapping... I was originally solo but after that I started going extra hard !! "
