| Born in the Brooklyn and raised in Queens, O.C. grew up across the street from another lyrical legend, Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion. That neighbor spawned O.C.’s recording debut, in 1991 on Organized Konfusion’s classic “Fudge Pudge.” O.C. was tour when he first ran into D.I.T.C. members Lord Finesse and Buckwild. After the tour, Buckwild and O.C. worked on a demo that would eventually become the Wild Pitch Records classic Word…Life, containing the classic lyrical assault “Time’s Up,” later featured in Eminem’s blockbuster biopic, 8 Mile .
Andre the Giant, better known as A.G., began his rise to acclaim the day Lord Finesse showed up at his school to challenge any lyricist that dared to battle. A.G. kept up with Finesse line for line, and Finesse couldn’t help but take notice of the hungry rapper. While in the studio contributing to Finesse’s upcoming LP Funky Technician, A.G. met Showbiz for the first time. The bond was instant and the newly formed duo began their career by selling the self-financed Soul Clap EP out of the trunk of Show’s Acura Legend coupe. Their first LP, Runaway Slave, put the spotlight back on the Bronx and heavily influenced the modern East Coast style of rap. Their sound was a combination of mobster influence, thoughtful lyricism, and the amazing production that became synonymous with the D.I.T.C. crew. O and A, longtime friends and crewmates, first collaborated together on the classic track “Weed & Drinks” and ever since had talked about doing a whole album together. Hip-hop fans were finally treated to this album with 2009′s Oasis, executive produced by Show. “Its was organic cause the chemistry was also so crazy,” explains O.C. “The whole process was really pure and from the heart”, says A.G. With a combined 10+ albums under their belts, its amazing how these veterans stay relevant after all these years. A.G. explains, “For me, it’s the passion. When you’re passionate about something, you stay inspired, through the good and the bad.” |
