D.I.T.C. "Next" Feature in Vibe (December, 1999 + Playlist)

For close to 10 years, D.I.T.C. members Show, his longtime partner, A.G. (short for Andre the Giant), Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, Diamond, Buckwild (all of whom hail from the Bronx, NY), Brooklyn's O.C., and the recently murdered Harlem rhyme slinger supreme, Big L, have individually garnered accolades for their superior lyrical and/or production gifts. But besides Fat Joe's gold-selling Don Cartagena (Atlantic, 1998), street acclaim hasn't translated into record sales. "Not [achieving] what we were supposed to has taught us to stay on top of our business," blasts A.G. His man Show claims that it was a lack of organization and resources on the part of labels like Wild Pitch, Chemistry, and Pay Day that hindered D.I.T.C.'s individual success. "We felt it would make a greater impact if all of us put our ideas together, and everybody came with their different styles," Show says. And he tells no lies: Not since the rise of Staten Island, NY's Wu-Tang Clan has there been a collective that could come close to the Shao Lin Swordsman's concentrated can of whup ass. When it comes to the stock market of beats, lyrics, and flow, D.I.T.C. stand taller than the World Trade Center's twin towers. Just peep songs like the felicitous, guitar-guided "Foundation" and the bouncy, video-game-effects-bleeping, Big L-fronted "Thick." Yet as D.I.T.C. vie to become hip hop's first family, things are a little bittersweet. "I wish he were still around," says Show of his fallen compadre. "He's on most of the album, and I think about him every time I hear those songs." Fear not, Show, Big L is probably looking down, smiling, watching his crew's evolution from ghetto superstars to household names. - Next (Vibe, December 1999). No doubt, one of the greatest crews in Hip-Hop history! Below is a playlist with some of my favorite joints from the Diggin' in the Crates crew! I'll add more songs later.

 

AG & Cuns "Bronck's Kill" (EP Stream)

Over the last couple of years, legendary Bronx lyricist and D.I.T.C. immortal A.G., and Roman producer Cuns have been working on the low, creating and shaping the 5 tracks featured on their brand new EP entitled "Bronck's Kill". On this new body of work, Cuns has managed to create the perfect soundscape for A.G.'s unique style, intricate rhymes and seamless storytelling. The EP features verses from Recognize Ali and Sage Infinite. Dig into the EP below via Tuff Kong Records.

AG x Ray West x Roc Marciano 'Red Apple Kings'

This is AG and Ray West, featuring Roc Marciano, on 'Red Apple Kings;' a dope single off AG & Ray West's 2015 project, 'The Nickel EP.' I was working at Fat Beats when AG dropped their first project, 'Everything's Berri,' and I saw firsthand how well they worked together. You should also check out Ray West's projects with O.C., Kool Keith, Blu, and John Robinson, as well as the upcoming Show & AG album, 'Redesigned.' 'Red Apple Kings' is today's selection from the EP, listen below...

D.I.T.C. "D.I.T.C. Studios" (Album Sampler)

The legendary Diggin’ In The Crates crew are back in the studio - their own studio at that - and the result is their first new album in 15 years! 15 tracks deep, the album features lyrics and production by all members of the crew, including a few new affiliates. Highlights include a return to the microphone by Lord Finesse on the banger “Rock Shyt”, Fat Joe returning to this legendary Bronx crew and DJ Premier production on “Connect 3.” The album was designed to be the first of many new releases coming out of their new headquarters and label, DITC Studios. You can order the Deluxe Edition via Fat Beats, but you know how I feel about album samplers, so check it out below + Put an L up for Big L - may he Rest In Peace. Great to see the D.I.T.C. crew back together.

Showbiz & A.G. "Goodfellas" (The Source, 7/95)

"Goodfellas marks the return of underground heavyweights Showbiz & A.G. For those who slept the first time, we recommend you pay attention as the Uptown duo slide in right where their debut left off. With their latest, they remain true to the punchline-filled, freestyle flow they have come to be known for. While Showbiz passes the mic to A.G., who controls it through the entire album, he continues to dominate behind the boards, creating a big-band hip-hop sound set off with hard hitting snares, accompanied by screeching trumpets and saxophones. On the mic, A.G. continues to stomp out wack MCs and proves he really is a hip-hop giant... The first single, "Next Level," is also given extra life with a tight remix that will fit in at any gathering. Throughout, Showbiz keeps the tracks balanced. For every hard-hitting, cock-the-glock, knuckle-up type cut, there is a joint that makes ya wanna get lifted and just lounge. And with no gimmicky hardcore rhymes, A.G. shines with lyrics that are poignant and full of humor." - The Source (July, 1995). Revisit the Goodfellas album...

The full album review for Goodfellas in The Source is below...

Showbiz & A.G. "Runaway Slave" (The Source, 11/92)

"If you Rip Van Winkled on Showbiz & AG's debut PE, Party Groove/Soul Clap here's your chance to come correct on two brothers with pure hip-hop flowing through their veins. On the long play, this Bronx duo skillfully distill the essence of the asphalt into gargantuan polyrhythms and freestyle lyrics straight from the old-school outdoor jams. Miles would beam at their use of meandering horn riffs flowing in and out of the mix, obviously the rewards of 'nuff diggin' in the crates. These freeform samples add spit and polish to tracks that are otherwise down and dirty, and create more ambience than Panasonic Platinum. Meanwhile, the ill subliminal bass laces joints like "Fat Pockets" and "Silence Of The Lambs," making them true blunts for the Benzi box." Cont'd below...

"With drop-ins by Kid Capri, Fat Joe, and Freddie Foxx, and cameos by Black Sheep's Dres ("Bounce To This") and Lord Finesse and the crew ("Represent"), Showbiz and A.G. create a party on your stereo, flexing enough freestyle to make the unaware go senile. On the hardcore "Hard To Kill," A.G. says, "I love conflict and confrontation / Killin' enemies worse than Kennedy's assassination." Through your neckbone will definitely get a workout on these tracks, this is an album of nuance with many layers of words and sounds that will age like fine wine." - The Source, November 1992.

Showbiz & A.G. Interview (Hip-Hop Connection, 1993)

"Showbiz & AG are on a roll. "Runaway Slave deals with negativity. It's about a society run on negativity. We're just trying to get out of that state and into a positive mindstate," says the duo... AG leans forward in his seat and recounts the tales of his life when it went through its negative state. "I was a runaway slave. I was involved in crime. I realized that the whole jail to crime cycle was stupid and I finally woke up. I'm on probation, but I'll get through it because I love myself and I'm positive." AG's talkative partner Showbiz is a deejay with much to say. He may not be able to express himself lyrically, but he makes the most of the interview situation. "We're telling people to get out of mental slavery. Get out of all the drugs and the alcohol and the negative state of mind and wake up. Learn to love each other. Society makes you do things you don't want to, just like we did when we were first slaves. We don't want to be like that any more!"" Click play, cont'd below...

"The duo hail from the Bronx, where they say they were always kicking back enjoying the hip-hop delights that the borough was famous for. The infamous Lord Finesse used to hang in their neighborhood, chewing over rhymes while he looked for a record deal. "I helped Finesse get his deal. We worked together in the studio, him rhyming, me doing the music and helping out. Through the music I bumped into AG. Finesse was doing a track and decided to let AG guest on the track. We just hit it off from there." AG takes up the story: "The track was called Keep It Flowing and Biz was producer. I liked the way he handled the music. After he told me he needed someone to rap and I need someone with skills when it came to music, so we decided to hook up." The resulting track was the classic "Soul Clap" ... And with their LP released by Polygram Showbiz & AG can finally bring their rap philosophy to a hungry nation ... "We're telling all the runaway slaves out there to gain common sense and love yourself. Look at your history and learn about the slavery of the past. Once you know your history, nothing can bother you no more. Nothing can phase you." - Hip-Hop Connection, 1993. You can read (or save a copy of) the full interview below with Show & AG below...