Diggin' in the Crates Crew
Encyclopedia
The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York
-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, often collaborating with undiscovered talent and underground artists alongside the most commercial of rappers. All of its members are from the Bronx
, with the exception of Big L (from Harlem
) and O.C. (from Brooklyn
).
, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe
, O.C., Buckwild, and Big L
.
Lord Finesse (born Robert Hall) is a legendary MC-turned-producer who has produced tracks for Notorious B.I.G. ("Suicidal Thoughts" off of 1994's Ready to Die
) and Dr. Dre ("The Message" off of 1999's 2001). As a young MC, he would travel to any borough in New York to battle their best rapper and win. He shopped his demo to various record labels and eventually dropped the first of several records, his 1990 classic Funky Technician
. The record had 5 tracks produced by his good friend Diamond (formerly Diamond D), a former member of the rap group Ultimate Force.In the mid-'80s, he was turntable scratching at late-night park parties, often competing with area top DJs (Showbiz was once his nemesis.) In 1992, this producer showcased New York City's underground talent and his rap skills on his debut Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop
.
Bronx native Fat Joe
became the first Latino rapper in New York to secure a significant solo deal with a major label with his 1993 debut, "Represent". In 1998, his Don Cartagena release went gold (500,000 copies sold). Showbiz & A.G. were the first to adopt the do-it-yourself attitude by releasing their 1992 debut EP, Can I Get a Soul Clap, practically out of the trunk of their cars. Showbiz, a name he stolen from an old Richard Pryor record, pioneered taking an instrumental and looping voices over it. His partner A.G. was known as the Bronx's "punchline" rapper. Through the mid-'90s, he was a prolific producer, producing tracks for primarily underground rap acts. In 1999, A.G. restarted his rap career with his solo CD Dirty Version.
Meanwhile, another Bronx native named Buckwild, who once started out as Lord Finesse's apprentice in his production company, started producing tracks around 1994. He later delivered melodic beats for rap heavyweights like Fat Joe, Notorious B.I.G., Big L, Royal Flush, Mic Geronimo, and Big Pun. He also produced Black Rob
's 2000 hit "Whoa!" reaching #43 on the Billboard Hot 100
and also gave him more exposure. But it was his first at-bat, producing tracks for O.C.'s Word Life in 1994, that established him as a vital producer in the underground rap scene. O.C., one of hip-hop's most energetic lyricists, was an up-and-coming MC before Word Life. After the album's release, he made numerous guest appearances on other D.I.T.C. members' records while maintaining a low profile.
The final member of D.I.T.C. was Big L, a rapper who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest emcees of all time, particularly because of his uncanny ability to produce rap punchlines. Calling himself the "flamboyant MC", he dropped his debut record, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
on Columbia in 1995. He was gearing up for a comeback, with a second CD due for release on Rawkus, when he was killed on February 15, 1999. The crew came together later that year for a memorial concert at Trammps in New York (anthologized by a series of CD releases), and recorded a self-titled group record in 2000.
OC and AG released a collaborative album in 2009 entitled OASIS - Together Brothers and
Diamond D will be releasing a new LP entitled "The Huge Hefner Chronicles" late 2008
On December 4, affiliated rapper Party Arty (aka P-80) died. At press time, it was revealed that the cause of his passing was due to health complications, not due to impeccable health, as people had previously thought. However, the details were not disclosed. Party Arty died at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4th.
In 2008, Bumpy Knuckles released his 2 disc album, Crazy Like A Foxxx, with disc 2 being DITC produced versions of the tracks. DITC production contrasts with the Jailhouse version of production. In 2011, Showbiz
confirmed that the crew itself is now defunct and will no longer create any new albums in the future citing musical creative differences.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, often collaborating with undiscovered talent and underground artists alongside the most commercial of rappers. All of its members are from the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, with the exception of Big L (from Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
) and O.C. (from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
).
History
D.I.T.C. consisted of rappers, DJs, and producers. The members were Showbiz & A.G., Diamond DDiamond D
Diamond D is a hip hop producer and MC from the Bronx, New York City, and one of the founding members of the legendary D.I.T.C. crew. He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme...
, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, O.C., Buckwild, and Big L
Big L
Big L may refer to:* Lamont Coleman , better know by Big L, American hip-hop artist.Or a number of British radio stations:*Big L 1395, a British radio station.*Radio Luxembourg's English-language progammes ....
.
Lord Finesse (born Robert Hall) is a legendary MC-turned-producer who has produced tracks for Notorious B.I.G. ("Suicidal Thoughts" off of 1994's Ready to Die
Ready to Die
Ready to Die is the debut album of American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released September 13, 1994 on Bad Boy Records. The first release on the label, it features production by record producer and Bad Boy founder Sean "Puffy" Combs, Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson, DJ Premier, and Lord Finesse,...
) and Dr. Dre ("The Message" off of 1999's 2001). As a young MC, he would travel to any borough in New York to battle their best rapper and win. He shopped his demo to various record labels and eventually dropped the first of several records, his 1990 classic Funky Technician
Funky Technician
Funky Technician is the debut album of American hip hop artists Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth, released in 1990 on Wild Pitch Records. Production was handled by Smooth, former label-mate DJ Premier, and future Diggin' in the Crates Crew-members Diamond D and Showbiz. In 1998, the album was...
. The record had 5 tracks produced by his good friend Diamond (formerly Diamond D), a former member of the rap group Ultimate Force.In the mid-'80s, he was turntable scratching at late-night park parties, often competing with area top DJs (Showbiz was once his nemesis.) In 1992, this producer showcased New York City's underground talent and his rap skills on his debut Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop
Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop
Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop is the debut album from hip hop producer-emcee Diamond D, released in 1992. The album features some of the earliest appearances from Diamond's later D.I.T.C. partners Big L and Fat Joe, as well as his crew the Psychotic Neurotics...
.
Bronx native Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
became the first Latino rapper in New York to secure a significant solo deal with a major label with his 1993 debut, "Represent". In 1998, his Don Cartagena release went gold (500,000 copies sold). Showbiz & A.G. were the first to adopt the do-it-yourself attitude by releasing their 1992 debut EP, Can I Get a Soul Clap, practically out of the trunk of their cars. Showbiz, a name he stolen from an old Richard Pryor record, pioneered taking an instrumental and looping voices over it. His partner A.G. was known as the Bronx's "punchline" rapper. Through the mid-'90s, he was a prolific producer, producing tracks for primarily underground rap acts. In 1999, A.G. restarted his rap career with his solo CD Dirty Version.
Meanwhile, another Bronx native named Buckwild, who once started out as Lord Finesse's apprentice in his production company, started producing tracks around 1994. He later delivered melodic beats for rap heavyweights like Fat Joe, Notorious B.I.G., Big L, Royal Flush, Mic Geronimo, and Big Pun. He also produced Black Rob
Black Rob
Black Rob is a rapper who was formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.-Music career:Black Rob began associating with the label as early as 1996, appearing on the Bad Boy remix to 112's "Come See Me"...
's 2000 hit "Whoa!" reaching #43 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and also gave him more exposure. But it was his first at-bat, producing tracks for O.C.'s Word Life in 1994, that established him as a vital producer in the underground rap scene. O.C., one of hip-hop's most energetic lyricists, was an up-and-coming MC before Word Life. After the album's release, he made numerous guest appearances on other D.I.T.C. members' records while maintaining a low profile.
The final member of D.I.T.C. was Big L, a rapper who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest emcees of all time, particularly because of his uncanny ability to produce rap punchlines. Calling himself the "flamboyant MC", he dropped his debut record, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut album of American hip hop artist Big L, released March 28, 1995 on Columbia Records. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily at Powerplay Studios in Queens, New York during 1994 to 1995. The title originates from the television series,...
on Columbia in 1995. He was gearing up for a comeback, with a second CD due for release on Rawkus, when he was killed on February 15, 1999. The crew came together later that year for a memorial concert at Trammps in New York (anthologized by a series of CD releases), and recorded a self-titled group record in 2000.
OC and AG released a collaborative album in 2009 entitled OASIS - Together Brothers and
Diamond D will be releasing a new LP entitled "The Huge Hefner Chronicles" late 2008
On December 4, affiliated rapper Party Arty (aka P-80) died. At press time, it was revealed that the cause of his passing was due to health complications, not due to impeccable health, as people had previously thought. However, the details were not disclosed. Party Arty died at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4th.
In 2008, Bumpy Knuckles released his 2 disc album, Crazy Like A Foxxx, with disc 2 being DITC produced versions of the tracks. DITC production contrasts with the Jailhouse version of production. In 2011, Showbiz
Showbiz and A.G.
Showbiz and A.G. are an American hip hop duo from The Bronx, New York City. Showbiz is a producer and A.G. is a rapper. The two debuted on Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album in 1990. Show and A.G...
confirmed that the crew itself is now defunct and will no longer create any new albums in the future citing musical creative differences.
Discography
- Live In Tramps (Vol.1) (ZYX music, 2000)
- Live In Tramps (Vol.2) (ZYX music, 2000)
- All Love (Next Level Recordings / File Rec Inc., 2000)
- D.I.T.C.D.I.T.C. (album)D.I.T.C. is the debut from Hip Hop collective D.I.T.C., or Diggin' in the Crates Crew. The group consists of Lord Finesse, Show, A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and the late Big L. The album closer, "Tribute", is a tribute track to Big L, who was murdered on February 15, 1999...
(Tommy Boy, 2000) - The Official VersionThe Official VersionThe Official Version is an alternative version of D.I.T.C.'s self-titled album D.I.T.C. which was never officially available on vinyl; hence the name of this release. The Official Version has a different tracklisting with many of the songs being totally different versions than the ones appearing on...
(DITC/Fat Beats, 2000) - DITC Presents Wild LifeDITC Presents Wild LifeDITC Presents Wild Life is an EP by hip-hop collective Diggin' in the Crates Crew put together by Show and released independently through the then new Wild Life Entertainment label. The EP is made in Memory of Big L, B.O., Mad Mark & Autumn Rose .-Track listing:...
(EP) (Wild Life Entertainment, 2001) - Rare & Unreleased (D.I.T.C. Records, 2007)
- Unreleased Production (DITC Records, 2008)
- The MovementThe Movement (D.I.T.C. album)The Movement is a compilation album from D.I.T.C. Records. It features all new songs, exclusive to this release only. Rather than a proper D.I.T.C. release focusing on the eight members of the original group, the compilation showcases the work of long-time affiliates such as The Ghetto Dwellas,...
(D.I.T.C. Records, 2008) - Rare & Unreleased Vol. 2 (D.I.T.C. Records, 2009)