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 1st 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
