One of the best hip-hop albums ever..? I think so. One of the best debut albums ever..? I think so.
Showbiz & A.G. were a duo from the Bronx -- Showbiz produced, A.G. (or André the Giant) versed. They were a part of the D.I.T.C. crew (featuring members like the late Big L, who has a verse on "Represent"), who branched out into their own territory in the early 90's -- their first release was an EP called 'Soul Clap'. Some of their tracks on the debut 'Runaway Slave' were reworked from the EP -- like "Catchin' Wreck" and "Soul Clap (short version)"...not to mention the handfuls of classic originals like my all time favorite, "Fat Pockets".
Their two full lengths were critical successes, but never financial ones. They returned to work with D.I.T.C. and solo projects -- going on hiatus as a duo, but still contributing to one another's solo work and various offshoots.
Oldschool hip-hop vibes, choice beats, both light-hearted and dark topics...album was a knock-out on all fronts...doesn't get much better than 'Runaway Slave', absolutely.
Any fan of hip-hop or anyone ready to be won-over, this is definite -- a classic. Look into their other material too, like the darker 'Goodfellas' full-length.
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