Rap Mania hits the UK as Hip hop legends EPMD, Onyx, M.O.P. and Lords Of The Underground have announced they will be joining forces for two very special UK shows in April 2020, performing together for the very first time in London at O2 Forum Kentish Town (04 April) and Bristol, O2 Academy (05 April).
EMPD aka Erick Sermon (aka E Double) and Parrish Smith (PMD) began recording as EPMD in the late 80s and early 90s and were among the best in hip hop’s underground scene. With four albums, including the 1988 classic Strictly Business to 1992’s Strictly Personal and numerous collaborations, the duo are back to work more than thirty years on at Long Island, New York’s Def Squad Studios, for their first release since their concert album, Live Business in 2019. EMPD legend and co-founder Erick Sermon has also released his eighth studio album, Vernia (19 April 2019 – Def Squad Records) featuring AZ, Big K.R.I.T., Too Short, Keith Murray, Raekwon; and in 2017, PMD released Busine$$ Mentality.
Hip hop royalty M.O.P. need little introduction. “Ante Up” and “Cold As Ice” from 2000’s Warriorz album (Loud Records) became street anthems and a cornerstone of Billy Danze and Lil Fame’s catalogue; symbolic of the music the Brownsville, Brooklyn duo had been making since the early 90s. Over the last three decades M.O.P. have collaborated with a who’s-who of hip hop legends including DJ Premier, Busta Rhymes and Wu-Tang Clan.
American hardcore rappers Onyx – Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz – were founded in 1988 under the guidance of Jam Master Jay, and their trail-blazing debut album, Bacdafucup, reached Platinum status, peaking at No.10 on the Billboard 200. The influential east coast rappers shot to stardom with the breakout single, “Slam” hitting No.4 on the Billboard 100.
Years later and after several full-length underground classics, Onyx are back with SnowMads (released 15 November 2019 – Goon MuSick), their eighth studio album, produced entirely by Snowgoons, with guest appearances from rappers Dope D.O.D., Bumpy Knuckles, Nems amongst others. This year, Onyx have also dropped Lost Treasures, (07 February 2020), a special compilation of rare and unreleased tracks from Onyx and Sticky and Fredro. Special guests on the record include Bobby Brown, Talib Kweli, Layzie Bone and KRS-One amongst others.
Platinum-selling hip hop trio, Lords Of The Underground, based in Newark, New Jersey, met and formed in 1990 while attending Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina. DJ Lord Jazz and rappers Mr. Funke and Doitall had three hit singles, “Psycho”, “Funky Child” and their signature song “Chief Rocka” on the rap charts before their debut album Here Come the Lords even appeared in 1993. Hailed as legends in the golden age of hip hop, Lords Of The Underground are back with a bang in 2020 with a new video and comeback song, “Insomniac”, produced by Snowgoons. The track is the first single from So Legendary (February 2020 on Goon MuSick), their first album in over a decade. At the end of January 2020, they collaborated with fellow hip hop force Onyx to release a video for brand new song “What’s Up”. A high energy production, this is the first time the Newark collective have linked up with the New York City rap group for a colossal cut.
For just two nights only, don’t miss Rap Mania, a celebration of legendary hip hop culture from four classic players, hosted by Brooklyn rap veteran Jeru the Damaja and UK emcee and ‘Godfather of British rap’, Rodney P.
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.co.uk.
