Low Lives ‎- Ill Rhymes / The Face/Off- 1997

Low Lives was a Rap duo consisted of Mike Glenn and Lord Devine, hailing from the Bronx. In 1997 they released their debut 12" single on Marcion Records, fully produced by Phil Rust. 

12" - 1997 - Marcion Records  

"Throwing Bronx-style rhymes straight from the street, native New York duo Low Lives debut their lyrical skills with the release of "Ill Rhymes" and "The Face/Off". Comprised of 18-year-old Mike Glenn and 17-year-old cohort Lord Devine, the pair first met while in art school, linking themselves through friendship, mutual talents as graffiti and graphic artists, and their ability to turn out hip-hop that's true to their own real experiences.

Growing up against the cyclical tide of poverty and crime inherent in their environment, Low Lives' hip-hop style is not a conscious thing. Rather, the twosome's lyrical crafting arises as a natural extension of their inner-city roots, emerging from what they live, know and see in their everyday world. In-between the two tracks, "Ill Rhymes" and "The Face/Off", a unique interlude tells the story of a failed attempt to be initiated into the ranks of a vampire - a compelling departure from the typical ghetto theme.

Low Lives is one of the first signings to New York-based Marcion Records. With producer Phil rust at the helm, this burgeoning independent label is dedicated to exposing new local hip-hop talent. " - Marcion Records Press Sheet

Video : The Doppelgangaz - Monk Mode - 2019

 Video of the single "Monk Mode", off the last Doppelgangaz EP titled "G Pack, Vol. 1".

Honour Mission - Rampage in HHC 1997

From Hip-Hop Connection - December 1997

Mix : Take It Personal - Hieroglyphics Tribute - 2019

"Oakland is a city filled with dynasties teams. You had the Raiders, the A’s and most recently, the Warriors. But this Oakland collective, better known as the Hieroglyphics Crew, had a dynasty of their own. Founded by Del the Funky Homosapien, this was squad rolled deep, very deep. They were like the Wu before the Wu even existed.

Hieroglyphics featured many  personalities and styles ranging from Del, Casual, Pep Love, Domino, Opio, Phesto, Tajai, A-Plus, Jay-Biz, Mike G, Snupe, Extra Prolific to Toure. Their 3rd eye logo is immediately recognizable as are many of their classics cuts. This mini-mix is from our West Coast Classic series, and while we only scratched the surface, this Hiero tribute serves as a great reminder of the their dominance in hip-hop.

Oaktown is full of legends like Rickey Henderson, Bill Russell, Kamala Harris, Tom Hanks, Mark Hamill, Bruce and Brandon Lee, Gary Payton, Marshawn Lynch, 2Pac, Paul Pierce, MC Hammer, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Frank Oz, The Pointer Sisters, Too $hort, Mac Dre, Clint Eastwood, Zendaya, one-time Hiero affiliate Mahershala Ali , and the muthaf*ckin' Hieroglphics crew!" - Take It Personal Radio  

Mix : The Eaze Up Show #40 - Back To 93 Spesh - July 12th 2019

"The Back To '92 Spesh blew up and I have had some emails and messages about doing a '93 one (another supreme year in not just Hip Hop but music and culture in general) so here it is.

I focused more on remixes and indie joints rather than the standard '93 fare...but if you enjoyed the '92 mix then you are bound to enjoy this one and like S.O.M. infamously said '93 Til…

The recipe was PHAT dusty drum breaks, horns, soul, reggae and funk samples etc, ill loops, DJ cuts, rumbling bass-lines and true MC's dedicated to the craft and going for gusto..." - Dj Jazzywhut!

1 KRS One - Sound of Da Police (Kenny Parker Remix)

2 Motion Man - '93 Swing (prod. King Tech)

3 Hoodratz - Bootlegga (prod. Doh-Doh)

4 Da Youngsta's - Wild Child (prod. The Beatnuts)

5 Controversy - Trunka Funk

6 Diamond-D feat. Sadat-X & Lord Finesse - You Can't Front (S--t Is Real) (Co-Prod. Buckwild)

7 Capital Tax feat. Boogie Gee - Nottie Natural (prod. DJ Smooth Gee)

8 The Notorious B.I.G. - Party & Bulls--t (Lord Finesse Remix)

9 Class A Felony - Papa Don't Play (prod. DJ Stitches)

10 Mellow-T - Keep It Real (prod. Greg Nice)

11 Madstyle - Run (Underground Mix)

12 Black Maddness - Igpay Atinlay (Horny Horn Mix)

13 MF911- 900

14 Funkdoobiest - Bow Wow Wow (Remix) (prod. DJ Muggs, co-prod. DJ Lethal)

15 Pudgee The Phat Bastard - The Vibe (prod. Trackmasters)

16 Original Flavor - All That (Hard Beats Mix) (prod. Ski)

17 Rumpletilskinz - Is It Alright? (Remix) (prod. R.P.M.)

18 Ice-T - Addicted To Danger (Nutshop Remix)

19 Run DMC - Can I Get It, Yo (prod. EPMD)

20 Brokin English Klik - Who's Da Gangsta?

21 Nas - It Aint Hard To Tell (Large Professor Remix)

22 Whooliganz - Put Your Handz Up (Skate Mix)

23 Tha Alkaholiks feat. The Loot Pack - Turn The Party Out

24 Method Man - Method Man (Skunk Mix) (prod. RZA)

25 Erick Sermon - Do It Up

26 Poor Righteous Teachers - Mi Fresh (prod. Tony-D)

27 Selectah - Wede Man (Ruffneck Mix)

28 De La Soul feat. Shortie No Mas - In The Woods

29 Digable Planets - Appointment At The Fat Clinic

30 Big Daddy Kane - How U Get A Record Deal? (prod. Trackmasters)

31 Chocolate Bamboo - Test Da Rocket Launcha

32 Troubleneck Brothers - Troubleneck Wreck

33 Strickly Roots feat. Grand Puba & Fat Joe - Begs No Friends (Valley Mob Mix) (prod. DJ Fashion, Professor Q)

34 PM Dawn - The Nocturnal Is In The House (scratches: DJ Cash Money)

35 Souls of Mischief - '93 Til Infinity (A-PLus Remix) 

36 A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

37 The Pharcyde - Otha Fish (L.A. Jay Remix)

38 Da King & I - Tears

Free Download  

Amp Boogie - Gotta Git On The EP - 1994

Time goes by so fast ... 25 years ago the Baltimore-based group Amp Boogie released their classic 5-Track EP titled "Gotta Git On".

The group originally consisted of Los Boogie, Mudd, DJ Booman and Wilmo. Their project came out in 1994 on Papa Bear Entertainment, a record label managed by Nate Brunson a.k.a Papa Bear who was also their manager. All songs were produced by Dj Booman (Porch Dog Prod). 

EP - 1994 - Papa Bear Entertainment 

The wax is still really hard to find but you can see it for sale sometimes on ebay...

Recently I did an interview of Los Boogie and Dj Booman. They gave me more info about their story and explained to me how everything started for the group.   

Los Boogie : "The group started with DJ Booman, Wilmo and myself who were all students at Morgan State University. I knew BooMan from DJing and he knew that I rhymed. Wilmo, also let me hear a few bars one day after he saw me writing. We all got together and started writing but just to write, nothing serious at the time. BooMan introduced us to Mudd, his high school classmate who attended Maryland/ Eastern Shore and he became the fourth member. Wilmo would soon leave the group for personal matters but continued to write. Our name was The Wholligans! This name was from our whole crew of DJs, dancers etc... We then changed our name to Outcast but realized some months later that Dre and Big Boi had the same name. Upon visiting Mudd at UMES, we noticed that some of the dudes on campus used the term amp boogie to describe something "hyped". So we decided to call ourselves Amp Boogie."

Photos courtesy of Carlos Harris 

Grant Booman Burley : "We all lived in the same general area. Mudd and Myself lived across the street from each other and went to high school together. We later met Los via mutual friends and Los and I went to Morgan State University together. We were from Eastside of Baltimore. Wilmo who was our original 4th member was from the Westside."

Los Boogie : "I was from around Harford Road. BooMan and Mudd was from Alameda, closer to Morgan State. Wilmo was from West Baltimore, Whitelock."

Grant Booman Burley : "I can't remember the exact time when we found the group but somewhere around '92 I believe... We all got together around that time and started working on music and would battle anybody in the city that wanted smoke on the mic or the turntables. 

We had our own crew from the neighborhood that we stayed around. It was more of a collective of musicians and street dudes from the area. The producers who schooled me to the beats and the ASR and the EPS were Kool Aid and Ronnie Donn. 

'Bluntly Speaking' was done on the EPS and the other songs on the ASR-10. When I did 'Bluntly Speaking' I did not know how to use samplers that good so my man Kool Aid programmed it for me... I brough the records and had the idea how to make the beat and he sequenced it for me. By the time we did the other songs I had got with my man Ronnie Don and Nate Brunson and they schooled me on the ASR-10! I was a fanatic after that, I wanted to come to Ronnies house and make beats every damn day ! Nate finally let me use his ASR-10 at my crib and I did beats until 5 in the morning !!!

Our crew had some dope emcees like Crooked, Tall Valves, Diablo, Kareem, Chino 6'3...Papa Bear Nate was Amp Boogies Manager and my man GF funded our first project and studio time to record the EP.

I did all of the beats and scratches for all of Amp Boogies songs that were ever recorded. Los and Mud did all of the rhymes."

Los Boogie : "The connection with Nate Brunson ? ... We went to DJ Ronnie Don to help with production. He and the dude Kool Aid had an Ensonic EPS. Nate Brunson would be in the lab with us. He wanted to help push us out the public. He started to manage the group and was instrumental in securing funds through his many networks for our first EP.  He decided to formulate his own company and we released the first EP on Papa Bear Recordings."

Grant Booman Burley : "After the EP we recorded more music but never released any more official music..."

Los Boogie : "We continued to record and do shows, We even had interest from some majors. We did a few joint for some soundtracks and linked with DJ Spen to release our next EP/Album but in '97 my first child was born and I stepped back a little. We had linked with Crooked Streetz a little time before and through the connection. The MC Trauma began to perform with the group.  Amp Boogie put out a joint featuring Trauma around '98 or '99. We all joined forces again around the mid 2000's to form Point 45. We did a few joints on BooMan's Mixtape series in the mid to late 2000's. Some of those songs are still floating around. Mudd is in the ministry now but we all still write respectively. BooMan and Kool Breeze are still producing under the name Dust Addicts and I am working with my daughter helping her with her skills. I am working on dropping something in the near future which may have some features by some of the MCs that used to rock with us in the 90s. Information is forth-coming..."

Backstage at Whitten's - Feb 18, 1996 - Amp Boogie / Annexx Click / Da Kraze / Sparrow and Da Concrete Foundation - Photo courtesy of Natasha Pratt Harris

If you're not lucky enough to find that wax, you can still buy the very good "Bluntly Speaking" EP released by the excellent Six2Six Records label in 2012, which is highly recommended too!!

Mad Props to Los Boogie and Dj Booman. Thanks for your time. 

Grown Man Rap Show - Episode 221 - Birthday tribute to Showbiz

Hosted by veteran DJ Toast and broadcast live every Sunday night 10pm-12 midnight (ET) from 91.5 WRPI (Albany NY), Toast brings you 2 hours of the best in vintage & contemporary true school Hip Hop.

This is Episode 221 - Birthday tribute to Showbiz (DITC) - DJ Toast - originally aired on July 7, 2019.

Showbiz & A.G. f. D Flow, Wali World, Party Arty & Method Man “Got the Flava” (1995)

Lord Finesse f. Showbiz “Showtime” (1995)
Molecules & Showbiz “Jungle” (2017)
Showbiz & A.G. “Never Less Than Ill” (1995)
Showbiz & A.G. f. O.C. “Land of the Free” (2007)

Big Punisher f. Busta Rhymes “Parental Discretion” (1998)

Showbiz & A.G. f. Diamond D. “Put It In Your System” (1998)

Showbiz f. David Bars “The Khalief Tale” (2018)

Showbiz & A.G. “The World is Listening” (2007)

Artifacts “The Ultimate (Showbiz Remix)” (1997)

KRS-One f. Das EFX “Represent the Real Hip Hop” (1995)

Big Pun f. Fat Joe, B-Real & Kool G Rap “Wishful Thinking” (2001)

Sadat X “Stages & Lights” (1996)

D.I.T.C. (Big L & Fat Joe) “Da Enemy (Showbiz Remix)”

Showbiz & A.G. “I’m Not the One” (1995)

Fat Joe “I Got This In a Smash” (1993)

Showbiz & A.G. “You Know Now” (1995)

D.I.T.C. (Fat Joe & Big Pun) “Best Behavior (Showbiz Remix)”

Showbiz & A.G. “Runaway Slave” (1992)

Showbiz & A.G. f. Big Pun & KRS-One “Drop It Heavy” (1998)

Showbiz & A.G. f. Lord Finesse & D-Flow “Add On” (1995)

Showbiz & A.G. f. O.C. “Full Scale” (1998)

Showbiz & A.G. f. Big L, Lord Finesse & O.C. “Dignified Soldiers” (1998)

Showbiz & A.G. “Catchin’ Wreck” (1992)

D.I.T.C. (Big L, Fat Joe & O.C.) “Internationally Known (Showbiz Remix)” 

Big L “I Don’t Understand It” (1995)

Fat Joe “I’m a Hit That” (1993)

Showbiz & A.G. “Next Level” (1995)

D.I.T.C. (O.C., Big L & Diamond D.) “Get Yours” (1999)

KRS-One “Sound of Da Police” (1993)

Showbiz & A.G. f. Lord Finesse & Diamond D. “Diggin’ In the Crates” (1991)

Nice & Smooth “Blunts” (1994)

Showbiz & A.G. “City of the Gods” (2018)

Big L “No Endz, No Skinz” (1995)

Diamond D. “Sally Got a One Track Mind (Two Track Beat Down)” (1993)

Showbiz & A.G. “Giant in the Mental” (1991)

Diamond D. “Fuck What U Heard” (1992) OOOPS!

Showbiz & A.G. “Soul Clap” (1991)
Showbiz & A.G. “Party Groove” (1991)

Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth “Just a Little Something” (1990)

Grown Man Rap Show  

Meyhem Lauren - Nickel Plated Wordplay - 2019

LP - 2019 - Chopped Herring Records 

A1 - Return of Dat Hard Shit 

A2 - Scalped 

A3 - Stacked Wit Aces 

A4 - Mey Melody 

A5 - Live For Today  

B1 - Haters 

B2 - Philatrix feat. Kool G Rap 

B3 - Fighting feat. Killa Sha

All tracks produced by Nickel Plated. Artwork by Swerve-1. 
600 copies only (120 copies on Purple Vinyl, 120 on Orange Vinyl & 360 on Trad Black Wax)


Pre-Orders  
Shipping Date : 2nd Week of August