Headrush - Run For Cover - 1995

12" - 1995 - Hudson West Records 

I’ve been looking for members of the group Headrush on social media for quite some time now, but without any success. Headrush was a New Jersey-based duo consisting of C. Jackson a.k.a. CJ and S. Smith a.k.a. Double S. Their only 12-inch single, "No Peace / Run For Cover," produced by Double S, was released in 1995 on the independent label Hudson West Records, based in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Although the group seemingly disappeared after this release, the track "Run For Cover", which is my personal favorite track on the record, has earned a quiet reputation among collectors of East Coast hip-hop. The 12" is actually quite easy to find and usually available at a very attractive price.

Sah-B - Some Ol' Sah-B Shit - 1994

 

In the early '90s, the East Coast rap scene was overflowing with raw talent, yet many promising artists slipped through the cracks before getting the recognition they deserved. One such case is Sah-B, a female rapper from East Orange, New Jersey, whose 1994 single "Summa Day / Some Ol' Sah-B Shit" remains a snapshot of an album that never officially came to life.

12" - 1994 - Reprise Records

Released on Reprise Records, the single was meant to introduce Sah-B's debut album "Some Ol' Sah-B Shit", which ultimately never saw an official release beyond a rare promotional cassette circulating at the time. What we're left with instead is this two-track single, produced by two respected figures in East Coast hip-hop, that hints at what could have been a strong addition to the mid '90s rap landscape.

On the A-side, the lead single "Summa Day" is produced by legendary Juice Crew architect Marley Marl, but to be honest this track isn't really my cup of tea, and in my opinion, it wasn't a good choice for a debut single... I prefer the B-side with "Some Ol' Sah-B Shit", produced by K-Def.

 The track "Some Ol' Sah-B Shit" stands as a small artifact of '90s hip-hop history. For collectors and fans of forgotten East Coast rap, the single offers a glimpse of an artist who had the voice, attitude, and production backing to make a real mark. Sadly, Sah-B's moment remained largely frozen in this lone single.

The 12" is really inexpensive... if you like the single "Some Ol' Sah-B Shit", don't hesitate! You can also check her unreleased album... some songs are definitely worth a listen. Peace

DBS - Any & Everybody / Intelligent Rudeness - 1997

 

12" - 1997 - WOME 

Brick City-based rapper DBS dropped this 12" in 1997 on Word Of Mouth Entertainment. It features the tracks "Any & Everybody" and "Intelligent Rudeness", all produced by DBS himself and co-produced by a kat called Mr Genie. 

In the mid-80s, DBS started in a crew called S.B.C., an acronym for Superb Brilliant and Capable of Anything, which included his cousin Zamn, two DJs and dancers. When his cousin joined the army, DBS became a solo emcee and formed a new crew called Da Bade Snachaz. After the group eventually fell apart, he performed under several names, including R.I.M.P. DBS (Rude Intelligent Mutha Phucka Da Bade Snacha) and Da Bade Snacha. Later, when he teamed up with Keith D. Wright II a.k.a Kryme to record music, Kryme suggested shortening the name to DBS.

Kryme was working as an intern in a marketing and promotions department when DBS began developing his sound. After failing to get the expected interest from record labels, they decided to release the music independently. As a result, they created Word of Mouth Entertainment specifically to launch DBS and build buzz on their own.

"Intelligent Rudeness" is definitely the best track on the record and certainly the main reason to want to add this release to your independent hip-hop 12" collection. It's rare to see this record for sale, so don't wait too long if you see one available. Peace

Spotlight on NAUTILUS

During the 90s, hip-hop from New Jersey emerged as a distinctive and influential voice within American rap culture. Although geographically close to New York City, New Jersey developed its own identity, characterized by raw realism and strong social awareness. Artists from cities such as Newark, East Orange and Trenton portrayed everyday urban life, addressing themes of violence, poverty, local pride and the struggle for recognition.

All the Nick Wiz 's compilations released over the past few years have given us a deeper insight into this New Jersey's independent hip-hop scene. They've highlighted artists and groups who never had the chance to officially release a 12-inch, even though some of them clearly deserved one, given the quality of their tracks. The group NAUTILUS is definitely one of them. 

NAUTILUS was a duo comprised of KAOS and M.A.D. (an acronym for Microphone Angel of Death), two MCs from Jersey City. A handful of their songs recorded in the mid 90s are scattered across various volumes of the Cellar Selections compilations. 

Most of the tracks were produced by Nick Wiz but some were produced by the artists themselves : "The Rain", produced by M.A.D. (who handled the samples) and programmed & mixed by Nick Wiz, and "Hennessy", produced by KAOS and M.A.D., and programmed & mixed by Nick Wiz.

M.A.D. gave me some of his time and answered a few questions to shed some light on their history. He explained how everything started for the duo, or how the connection first happened with Nick Wiz: 

M.A.D. : " I started rhymin’ in ‘87. My first love is actually DJing and that’s what I wanted to do at first but when Eric B and Rakim dropped I Know You Got Soul, I wrote my first rhyme. At first I was (don’t laugh) Kid M.A.D. (Melvin Andrews is Dope, lmao…) then I dropped “Kid” and switched it to Microphone Angel of Death. I meant to come up with another meaning but I never got around to it…

Me and Kaos are both from Jersey City, NJ and we lived a couple of blocks away from each other. We both were writing but we didn’t know each other. We met around early ‘89. There was this chicken spot between our blocks and one night I was in there rhyming and some of of K’s homies were there and they went and got him. We went back and forth for a minute and earned each other’s respect. After that, we’d see each other in passing and trade a few bars. After a few months, we decided to link up and form a duo in ‘90. After going through a few names, we ended up with Nautilus (New Angles of Utilizing Techniques In Literature, Universally Sound.)

After working on a few songs together, one of our OG’s took us to the studio for the first time, well, MY first time, Kaos had a little studio experience already. We kept writing and working on demos for the next couple of years but things slowed down a little after I graduated high school and went to Seton Hall University in ‘92. 

I had to do a Summer program before the Fall semester and that’s when met a cat from Hackensack, NJ named Fabe. He happened to rhyme too and we became cool and decided to be roommates in the Fall. 

Fabe was working on demos too and with me knowing a little bit about samples and break beats, I started helping him with his demos. A cat he knew recommended Nick Wiz to him and he started working with Nick. He told me about him and brought me to the studio with him one time to work on one of his joints. I was immediately impressed with Nick’s beats and and how fast he worked. After going with Fabe to Nick’s a few times, when I went home during one of my breaks, I told Kaos about Nick and suggested we start working with him. Me and Fabe brought Kaos to Nick’s and K was also impressed with the way Nick worked. We started working on demos with Nick, rocking over the best production we ever had  at that point. 

Kaos and I didn’t have any real management or team behind us to get us that push or exposure so we never got the look we needed. I finished Seton Hall in ‘98 and moved to North Carolina with my girlfriend who would later be my wife. Kaos continued to write and record in Jersey while I eventually slowed down with the music thing after having our son and daughter. I wrote sporadically but didn’t really record as much, due to (in addition to the family) becoming uninspired by the direction the Rap game took in the ‘00’s. These days, I mess with the beats when time allows and I feel like doing it. I appreciate Nick including our music in the Cellar Sounds series, giving me and K the exposure we didn’t have back then. It’s been good to see the positive feedback to our joints, letting me know that if we had the proper team behind us back then, who knows, we probably would have made some noise..."

Mad Props to Melvin Andrews a.k.a M.A.D., thanks a lot for your time. Peace

 

Belton Haig - The Baddest - 1998

 

Big shout out to Ill Mind for recently putting me back onto this cat named Belton Haig out of New Jersey and his ill joint "The Baddest" dropped in 1998. Sadly, the track never got a physical release at the time, just a video shot by Douglas Ingber that aired on his Video City TV show back then.

All I know about Belton Haig is that he was an emcee originally from Newark, NJ, later holding it down in East Orange. He also went by BC a.k.a. Da Lefty Bandit. After that, he dropped another single called "Can't Take It Witcha". Same deal, a video shot by Doug Ingber but still no physical release. Since a few other joints were recorded, I'm just wondering if a full album exists... 

Zoo Crew Records : Supreme C. / MRKD Men / Quan Capone

 The Zoo Crew from Brick City, New Jersey, is a multifaceted community initiative that began in 1991. Initially, it was a group of friends organizing parties and events for young adults in Newark, providing much-needed recreational activities for those aged 21–27.

Over time, the Zoo Crew expanded its mission to include youth development and community engagement. In 1996, they established the Zoo Crew Basketball program to offer young people an alternative to street life. This program has positively impacted thousands of lives over the past 25 years.

All the members are from different parts of New Jersey, but a street called Chadwick ave in Newark was where they all called home base. That's where the Zoo Crew was born...

The interesting part is that the Zoo Crew was also in the music business. In the early 90s, 2 members named Supreme C. and L-Boogie founded the record label Zoo Crew Records. They dropped 3 records featuring Quan Capone, Supreme C. and MRKD Men. which remain very hard to find nowadays !

12" - 1992 - Zoo Crew Records

"Time To Think" is the debut 12" released by Supreme C in 1992. The wax contains 4 songs on the A-side titled "Mad Props", "Fatal Attraction", "Stray Bullet" and "Time To Think", all produced by Pzaz.

The B-side contains all the instrumentals.

If you're looking for more info about Supreme C., you need to know that he felt into hip-hop when he was very young. His father had a record collection with Jazz, James Brown and some of the first hip-hop records like Rappers Delight. He was a kid that got into graffiti and breakdancing as the culture developed. He was born in Brooklyn so he used to travel a lot all over the city so he was exposed to all the elements of hip-hop from an early age. Then his family settled in New Jersey so between the back and forth he became a seasoned emcee. When he was coming out his Piers were artists like Nas, Biggie, MOP. He was influenced by the Zulu nation and then later the 5% nation, so Eric B & Rakim was a big influence on him.

Although there is nothing else released officially between "Time To Think" and his appearance on the tracks "Neva Faded" released by Lords Of The Underground in 1994 or "Lick A Shot" released by Rottin Razkals in 1995, Supreme C. worked on a bunch of material during this period. He was a ghostwriter for the group Da Youngsta's from Philly, Pa. Marley Marl asked him to help him to produce the album "No Mercy" after the first time he met him and heard him. Marley did the tracks and Supreme C. did most of the songs ("Hip Hop Ride" / "Mad Props" / "No Mercy" / "Backstabbers"/ "No More Hard Times"). 2 unreleased albums were also recorded but never saw the light of day : One when Queen Latifah gave him his first deal on Flavor Unit and the second one when he was on RCA records.

12" - 1992 - Zoo Crew Records 

"Funkin With The Wrong People" is a 5-song EP delivered by the MRKD Men in 1992, a group comprised of 2 emcees named Big Rell & Pzaz who also managed all the productions. The A-side contains the tracks "Stroke", "Bashin Heads W/A Concept", "P-Funk" and "Keepin On", and the B-side contains the track "Standin On The Block" and 3 instrumentals. 

Pzaz was dope as a producer and he also had Rhymes. At that time Supreme C. was the primary artist and Zoo Crew Records plan was to introduce Pzaz as they grew. For your knowledge, you need to know that in addition to producing for his Crew, Pzaz also produced for other Brick City groups such as Black Widow Society and Newark Natives, who were dropped on cassette tape at the time.

Photo courtesy of Big Rell

12" - 1992/1993 - Zoo Crew Records

The last 12" was dropped by Quan Capone who was not a real artist... Quan was an official street dude and not a rapper. Supreme C. actually wrote that song for him and it was almost a joke, Supreme C. was trying to encourage guys in the crew to pick up the mic because he knew the game was changing and they had amazing opportunity ahead of them. The wax came out around 1992-1993 and contains 4 songs entitled "Fuck What You Heard", "All Caged In", "Big Fu"and the lead single "Get a Grip", all produced by Supreme C.and Pzaz of Mrkd Men.

Mad Props to Supreme C., thanks for your time. 

Highlight on Quannie Quan

Recently I was listening in my car to that track entitled "Don't Try" from the female emcee Quannie and off of the Nick Wiz's Cellar Extras (Part One) CD.

I didn't make the connection before that, but I realized that I was listening to Quannie Quan that day !! Does that name speak to you ? 

If you're fond of New Jersey hip-hop, that name should remind you something... Quannie Quan a.k.a Quannue Quan is a female emcee from East Orange New Jersey who is an original member of Gee Rock's crew... Tha CND Coalition with N.I.G Dee, Skee Love, Skully, Sarge Roc, Da Mad Artist & Punkincee. She featured on some tracks released by Gee Rock & Tha CND Coalition in the mid/late 90s. Some of them were also re-issued on the famous "Tha Untouchable" album in 2019 on Heavy Jewelz Records.

She also features on 2 other joints produced by Nick Wiz, from the Cellar Selections compilation series. The tracks were recorded in 1994 and one of them features the group Lyrical Strong Demonstrators (Asiatic Dramatic RIP & Buddha Black) who were also from East Orange, NJ.

Gee Rock & Quannie Quan - Photo courtesy of Gee Rock

Gee Rock : " In 1994, I met Quannie at her job one day by a friend of mine who knew I was looking for a female who could spit and said he met a female who could rap, so we went to the Diner where she worked and she dropped a little something on the spot, and I told her to come to my house later that week for an audition, she came and ripped it… Long story short she became my first female MC and First Lady of Force One Networkz. "

The Force One Networkz Family - Photo courtesy of Quannie Quan

In 1994, Gee Rock produced her debut EP titled "Every Which Way But Soft", but unfortunately it never came out. The last track "Straight Off Da Dome" from Gee Rock & Tha CND Coalition's "Tha Untouchable" album is off of this unreleased project.

 

Gee Rock : " The EP was not meant to be released because of the timing…we did those songs to get to know each other better, when we first met she didn’t have any material… So 'Every Which Way But Soft' was born… after that project we got serious about her career and the rest was history. "

Her Rap name at the time was Quannie Quan, She later became TreAzure. In 2001, she dropped her debut 12" (What's My Name? / Playin' With Me ) on Echo International. I don't know if the tracks are dope because I've never had the chance to listen to them.

Quannie a.k.a TreAzure - Photo courtesy of Quannie Quan

Quannie a.k.a TreAzure & Percee P - Photo courtesy of Quannie Quan

Quannie a.k.a TreAzure & Big Daddy Kane - Photo courtesy of Quannie Quan