Da Phlayva - Why Ask Why / Triple Threat Power

Continuing with rap records that replace "The" with "Da," I gladly bring you, Da Phlayva, straight out the rap hotbed of North Carolina. Yup. This great 12" was released in 1994 on Vertical Records and distributed by the more familiar, Solar Records. Promo only, I believe. The label was headed by the same guys responsible for NuSouth clothing. I remember the ads in rap magazines. Upon first listen, I instantly recognized the tracks from old college radio (WRAS 88.5) mixtapes, yet I had never known the name of the group. The A-side beat is handled by Robert Dyches and the B-side is blessed by James Wizard and Da Phlayva. Excellent production on both. Definitive '94 sounds. They also have an album, Phlayva 4 Dem All, that I've never come across. Dig it!

Da Phlayva - Why Ask Why

Da Phlayva - Triple Threat Power

Da Nabahood Threat - Off Witcha Head / Coming From Da Dirt / Taste Da Knock

Coming to a neighbordhood near you... Da Nabahood threat's first 12" released in 1994 on Night Breed Records. RAW shit right here! Two rugged joints and a smooth head nodding instrumental on the final track. Dope beats handled by "Exotic E" for Bumpheadz Productions. Familiar breaks and samples used throughout. Sounds like 1994 :) Favorite joint here is "Off Witcha Head" which utilizes an Indian "snake charmer" flute and an angry Sticky Fingaz sample on the hook "I hate ya guts and I hope that you die!" "Coming From Da Dirt" reminds me of the King Tee & Alkaholiks classic, "I Got It Bad Y'all." I recognize the "Taste Da Knock" sample from Masta Ace's "The I.N.C. Ride" (No End Mix). I may get the instrumentals up later.

Da Nabahood Threat - Off Witcha Head

Da Nabahood Threat - Coming From Da Dirt

Da Nabahood Threat - Taste Da Knock

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks

Here's another hard one to track down, released in 1994 by Roebuck Records out of Philly. Around the same time, Masta Ace was rolling in a jeep with a cock diesel system. In contrast, Mr. Ducey was pushing a hatchback. Reminds me of high school. Herbs telling me I should throw a couple 10" woofers in my Honda CRX. Whatever. This record is DOPE. It was a time when the focus was on the kind of stereo system you had, rather than the kind of whip you were pushing. Booming speakers trumped all. Prep-A-Red lends a hand with the vocals. Will fit well in any mid-90's upbeat mix. POP YA TRUNKS!

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks

Ace C Ducey - Pop Ya Trunks (Instrumental)

Mudd - Murda Outcha Speaker

Flatbush BANGER! RUGGED MIXTAPE MONSTER from 1994. I know he has another 12", but that's about it. ???

Mudd - Murda Outcha Speaka

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board

This is probably my favorite album I've picked up in the past year. Released on MOBO JOE Records in 1993. The beats and samples on this are RIDICULOUS! Pure gutter New Orleans. FOUL...and EVIL...and BASSSSSSS!!! C'mon, look at the record! There's a damn pentagram on the B side! This ain't Slayer, but it rocks! BANGIN' BEATS! Gunshots and screams everywhere. You don't wanna play this around your parents. Was that Tom Scott's, "Today?" Was that Pete Rock & CL Smooth? Was that Rodney O & Joe Cooley? Was that sample from a Lucio Fulci horror flick? Yessir! These cats were sampling EVERYTHING! Check the clips. A couple dope joints where the beat keeps switching up. Just check 'em. I can go on and on about this record.

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board (Side A)
Side A:
Death Stro
Night Deamon
Life As A Psycho
Possessed (Daytime)
Crazy Nigah
Just My Imagination

Death - Possessed By The Ouija Board (Side B)
Side B:
Too Much Bass
Murder Madness
F--kin With A Lunatic
Possessed (Nightime)
Ya'll Need To Understand

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Remixes by Evil D & DJ Slip)

I had to leave New York with this one and take you over to Flint, Michigan, where DFC calls home. Some of you may be familiar with DFC as he's the same cat (I always thought it was a crew) who ran with MC Breed. I copped this 12" off the strength of the Evil D remix. I wonder how that came about? Perhaps, the connection with Big Beat and the Beatminerz's presence on the Artifacts second album? Rob "Reef" Tewlow mixed this 12" and was invloved with the Artifacts as the Executive Producer on both LP's and also produced the "Art of Scratch (Intro)" on their second album. Released in 1994 on Big Beat / Assault Records. It appears that DJ Slip handled the original production and then remixed it adding a piano and smoothing it out some. I'm giving you the original which is stripped down and more RAW. But, I'll bless you with a piano courtesy of the Beatminerz's Evil D. Dig it!

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Original)

DFC - Digga Bigga Ditch (Evil D Remix)

Troubleneck Brothers - Release Me EP

Online info tells me that this EP was released in 1994, but my record sleeve says 1993. Bronx natives the Troubleneck Brothers are most commonly known for their CLASSICS "Back to Hip Hop" or "Troubleneck Wreck," both of which had videos on BET. They released a few singles on StepSun Entertainment only to fade into obscurity due to label politricks. A familiar story with a lot of dope hip hop from the era. These cats were RUGGED & RAW. My pick is the title track "Release Me" (the Gunslingers) which sets the EP off with that familiar grimey & gritty sound. The "streets is real, gotta stay strapped" is the message here. "85 Live" slows it down as they reflect on their youth. Another great track.

On the flip you're hit with "But I'm A Lax" a track which is a tribute to their deceased brothers and those still maintaining in the hood surviving the game. They're stressing to remain calm rather than get hyped about nonsense. Reminds me of some DJ Quik production from the same era. Smooth stuff. Everyday it's the same ol' thing, cause I don't know what the next day might bring (But, I'ma Lax) I wanna rest my head, before I end up dead. "862" is another laid back track. I believe 862 is the block they grew up on in the Bronx and they're showing love to their brothers from around the way.

Another hard one to track down right here. Promo only. These dudes have been labeled "East Coast Hardcore" by many so it's nice to see 'em slow it down a bit on this. Still, the joint here for me is the upbeat BANGER "Release Me." Makes me wanna body someone. WHAT! WHAT! ;)

Troubleneck Brothers - Release Me

Troubleneck Brothers - 85 Live

Troubleneck Brothers - But I'm A Lax

Troubleneck Brothers - 862