Diffarent Kombonation

Discogs is a reference website, but the information published there is sometimes incorrect. This is the case for the group Diffarent Kombonation, which is listed as a group from Washington, DC, but that is actually not correct. Diffarent Kombonation was a hip-hop duo formed in the early-mid 90s by MCs Diffa Alo and Kombo MC, who were from Los Angeles, California.

Diffa & Kombo - Photo courtesy of Kombo

This group dropped their first and only physical release "Diffarent Kombonation" on vinyl and cassette tape in 1996 on Infini-T.. Entertainment, a record label based in Washington, DC. This musical project consists of the tracks "International" and "Stereotypes". 

According to Kombo, the origins of the duo trace back to a spontaneous rap battle in Moreno Valley, California. As he recalls : "Both of us are from L.A., and we linked up in Moreno Valley, CA. I was kinda known on the underground scene out there already and this young punk tried to battle me in the mall, lol. So we ended up hooking up and forming the group. It was like ’93-’94. His nickname was Diffa, mine was Kombo so we made it Diffarent Kombonation". 

Diffa & Kombo - Photo courtesy of Kombo

About the connection with Infini-T.. Entertainment, the owners of this record label were cats from L.A. who went to Howard University in Washington, DC. They met in a club in Hollywood and they heard them flow and offered them a deal. The Diffarent Kombonation tape was the only project they did. After that, Diffa & Kombo decided to break up the group, then Kombo went solo. He later released a few 12-inch records, the best of them, in my opinion, being "I Don't Stop" produced by A.D.L.I.B. and released on the same label Infini-T Ent. in 1999. He also appeared on several projects dropped by Self Scientific, Amad Jamal and S.O.L.A.R. Panel.

Extra Bonus, for your personal knowledge... Kombo & Diffa were also part of another group called Suns Of the V.I. (Suns Of the Village Idiots), with Kombo's older brother Amad Jamal. They formed the group in 1994, and they dropped a track titled "Vocal Instrument" on the compilation album "The Next Chapter", released on vinyl in 1995 on Immortal Records.

 

Diffa - Amad Jamal & Kombo @The Next Chapter Party - Photo courtesy of Kombo

All the records mentioned above are good and easy to find, and I definitely recommend them for your collection. Mad Props to Kombo.

Saafir - Boxcar Sessions Demo - 2020

LP - 2020 - Dope Folks Records 

"Our 100th release is from Bay Area Legend Saafir!!! Reggie Gibson, better known as Saafir, is an MC, producer and actor from Oakland California and a member of the rap group "Golden State Project" (formerly known as Golden State Warriors) with Ras Kass and Xzibit. Born in Oakland, California, Saafir lived with 2Pac and became a dancer for Digital Underground. Saafir made his recording debut on several cuts on Digital Underground's The Body-Hat Syndrome in 1993, followed by an appearance on Casual's Fear Itself in early 1994. He appeared in the film Menace II Society as Harold Lawson, and was featured on the film's soundtrack. With a deal from Qwest Records, Saafir recruited the Hobo Junction production team (J Groove, J.Z., Rational, Big Nose, and Poke Martian) for his debut, Boxcar Sessions (1994). Saafir is an Underground legend known for his abstract style.

We are happy to bring together unreleased tracks from the Boxcar Sessions, and a few more rare cuts from Saafir's vaults to make up the Saafir "Boxcar Sessions Demo" LP!!! " - Dope Folks Records 

 350 copies only ... (100 Colored Copies & 250 Standard Black copies) 

Pre-Orders  

Documentary : Sounds Like My Life (Bored Stiff Documentary Teaser)

"Sounds Like My Life" is an upcoming documentary about the underground hip-hop group Bored Stiff and their story of survival through music. The full-length film directed by Reza Harris a.k.a Dregs Ones is currently in production. Stay tuned ...

Sunshine People

From Rap Pages - July 1993 - Scans courtesy of Tim Burton 

LAW - Lethal Assault Weapons Pt. 1 - 1995

EP - 1995 - Sunset Blvd Ent. 

LAW a.k.a Lyricits At War released that "Lethal Assault Weapons Pt. 1" EP on Sunset Blvd Entertainment in 1995. This is a 6-track EP, sampler of their full debut album released on CD and Cassette the same year. 

The Crew is composed of 11 cats hailing from LA (1600 Carmona Blocc a.k.a Carmona Avenue) : Mr Fritenite, Dainjah, Ambush, Waar, Ace Da Bounty Hunta, Masta Black, Warlock, Xaqshuna, Synista, Keif Naps and Siiix 6 Siiix. 

All the tracks of the Lethal syde (A-Side) and the Assault syde (B-Side) are produced by Waar, Synista and Siiix 6 Siiix for 3rd Rage Productions. 

Put away all your West Coast Rap clichés, the style is far away from all the West Coast anthems or videos with girls, booze and pool parties... this is strictly hardcore shit !!! The wax is pretty cheap so you should definitely put it on your shelf without a doubt.

West Side Story

From Hip Hop Connection - March 1994 

Mix : DJMP45 - Do the Wrong Thing

Vinyl mix by DJ MP45 with slept-on West Coast and South Coast Hip Hop gems from the late 80's / early 90's. 

BIZZIE BOYZ – FOR THOSE WHO SLEPT

ICE CUBE- WE DON’T WANT NO 8BALL

KISH – JIM CLASS

TIM SMOOTH – MEET ME IN RUBENSTEIN

39 POSSE – 39 AUTOMATIC

DJ PRINCE ICE – BASS GROOVE ’88

SOUL PURPOSE – SOUL PURPOSE

POOH-MAN – FUNKY AS I WANNA BE

TONY M.F. ROCK – PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

TOO SHORT- SHORT BUT FUNKY

GANGSTA PAT–MY NEIGHBORHOOD

LOW PROFILE – ALADDIN’S ON A RAMPAGE

KING TEE – E GET SWIFT

APG CREW -TOO HOT TO HANDLE

ABOVE THE LAW – WHAT CHA CAN PROVE (MEGA MIX)

THE CONVICTS – THIS IS FOR THE CONVICTS

KING TEE – DO YOU WANNA GO TO THE LIQUOR STORE