Classic 1824 / RXC

In the '90s, it's no secret that there was a greater prominence of the cliques, posses, crews, and clans. It was an era in which creative mind-blowing lyrics were the sole option for an artist to earn the props and respect of their peers. That said, what's better than having several lyricists spitting darts in 8 or 16 bar verses, back-to-back-to-back-to... you get the point.

At the time, the hip-hop scene in Pittsburgh wasn't much different in this regard. You had several groups putting their stamp on the local scene. The early '90s included Mel Man's Hardcore Crew, Funky to da Third, PensoulzInAKup, transitioning into the mid '90s which gave way to the Massive - a crew that later split in two with Strict Flow and RXC. These are only a few of the crews that were making waves in the city, as well as nationally, at the time.

This post is dedicated to the artistic musical craftings of RXC, an acronym for Reality Unknown Complex. The crew has also been recognized as Classic 1824, 1824 being a numerical symbolism of the letters R-X. Original members of the hip-hop group include C.I., Shamir Shine, Knowledge Build, Justice, Martial Ife, and Amaretto, while others that have been or continue to be a part are Iasia, Gemstarr, Solar Magnetic, Sha-King (fka Reason), Nabri Savior, Living Proofe, Angel Eye, and Gneticz. For a greater look into the crew and the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene at this time, refer to Part One of the video interview with C.I. located at the end of this post.

The following are the first three releases to come from the Classic 1824 / RXC camp. Future posts will include solo releases from Reason/Sha-King, Nabri Savior, Gneticz, and a variety of obscure radio appearances and freestyle sessions.

Feedback is appreciated!

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Afro-Cinema - Afro-Cinema, Vol. 1 (1997)
Afro-Cinema is C.I. & Shamir Shine


01-Rap Zodiak
(Prod. by Sekou Coleman, Co-Prod. by Shamir Shine)

02-3 1/2 Minutes of Fame
(Prod. by G-Knowt, Co-Prod. by Sekou Coleman)
03-Panik
(Prod. by Shamir Shine, Co-Prod. by Sekou Coleman)
04-Livicated
(Prod. by Shamir Shine, Co-Prod. by Outtareach)

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Classic 1824 presents RXC - Mesomatrix EP (1999)


01-Tourguide
02-Gold Leaf
(Perf. by Golden Seal [Gemstarr & Solar Magnetic])

03-Isolation
(Perf. by Rhesun aka Sha-King)
04-Concentrate
(Perf. by Foreign Nationals [Martial Ife & 120])
05-Afrocinematik
(Perf. by Afro-Cinema [C.I. & Shamir Shine])
06-Organic Panic [Perfection]
(Perf. by Iasia)
07-Exit the Matrix

Album produced by Shamir Shine

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Classic 1824 presents C.I. - Classic Impressions #1 (1999)


01-Meso Walk
(Prod. by Shamir Shine)

02-Unforgettable
(Prod. by Rampage)
03-2000 Block Party
(Live @ Mumia Benefit)
04-Unforgettable (Inst.)
(Prod. by Rampage)

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Again, feedback is appreciated!

Peace & Blessings

-Rory | Stilltown

Jasiri X Interview / Concrete Elete - Basic Instructions (1998)

Concrete Elete consisted of Furious Styles, God Gifted, OMG, Chilly Ism, and Evil Man, with El aka Asiatic the Natural on production, a six man wrecking crew that did damage on the Pittsburgh and Philly hip-hop scene during the mid-90’s. Members brought their own artistic vision to the knocking instrumentals. In 1998, that vision was expressed through the crew's debut album, Basic Instructions: Listen... and Repeat.

Basic Instructions was 19 tracks deep, showcasing each MC's unique approach. El's versatile production served as a comfortable home to the rebellious lyrics of Furious Styles, the street savvy rhymes of God Gifted, and the clever wordplay of OMG.

Here to build on the crew’s history is Furious Styles aka Jasiri X.

RW: Peace Jasiri. Describe the foundation upon which Concrete Elete was assembled. How’d you meet and join forces?

JX: We met because I used to buy weed from Chub aka Evil Man. One day he was out of town so he hooked me up with Chill and OMG. We started talking about hip-hop, and that same day we were in me and Asiatic's studio, and the rest is history.

RW: You collectively finished the Basic Instructions album in 1998. How was it released?

JX: We actually put the album out ourselves, but we didn't have all the technological means like we do now, so not a lot of people heard it, but it gave us a buzz in Pittsburgh. Everybody called it the Red CD.

RW: Following the release of Basic Instructions, what ultimately led to the disbanding of the crew?

JX: We actually recorded an entire album after Basic Instructions, but we couldn't agree on the direction. I felt like we should remain underground and other members felt we should make crossover records so we just went our separate ways.

RW: How did the Concrete Elete experience provide groundwork for Jasiri X, the solo MC?

JX: It caused people to know and respect me in the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop scene, so I could still get shows and support as a solo MC. Plus we performed a lot, so it enabled me to learn how to rock a crowd, which is a lost art today.

RW: How do you believe fans can embrace this long lost Concrete Elete album?

JX: To me it still stands up to the test of time, good beats and good lyrics. I'd put us up against a whole lot of groups out today that aren't half as talented. Also want to send a special shout out to two original Concrete Elete members not on the album, The General and the Black Chinaman.

Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Dat First Shit
03. We Got U
04. Raw Dilly
05. Where U At
06. Interlude
07. Physical Anger
08. Khalifahs
09. I Don't Know
10. Takin Over

11. Fugitive

12. Concrete Veteran
13. Shinin
14. Patent Leather
15. Droppin Styles
16. Johanisburg

17. Survive
18. Concrete
19. Outro

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Stay updated with Jasiri X on Twitter


New video - "Real Gangstas"


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The Time Bomb Spot - Live, Vol. 1 (August 1, 1998)

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01 - Hi-Low Productions
02 - Mic Check
03 - Beat Box
04 - Rook & Bishop
05 - Freestyle Session

Visit Time Bomb Shop and follow them on Twitter

Also, shouts to Image for lending me the tape to rip.

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Smoked Fish - The Aqualab Sessions Vol. 1 (1998)

- Smoked Fish is GeeMan on production and vocals, Stretch on vocals, and Snook on vocals.
- The Aqualab Sessions Vol. 1 was released in 1998.

The Aqualab Sessions brought together these three dope Pittsburgh artists who were hungry to make noise. GeeMan aka The Grand Ear laced production that gave his fellow MC's the opportunity to unwind with a pen and a pad.

GeeMan handles the production in its entirety and exhibits his own dope rhyming skills on a few tracks, including "Production: MusicMusic." Still an active member of this Pittsburgh hip-hop scene, GeeMan works closely with aspiring Steel City soul-hop producers BusCrates and Vex.

Stretch is co-founder and host of Rhyme Calisthenics: The Official MC Competition, alongside producer and friend James Armstead Brown. Still one of the best freestylers the city has ever seen, Stretch gets props from anyone who is willing to listen.

Snook has also stayed relevant on the scene making appearances on Armstead Brown's 2007 album release Fieldwork and on the most recent Stilltown release, Stilltown Vol. III.

The Aqualab Sessions Vol. 1
01 - Production: MusicMusic
02 - Live Wire
03 - What U Need

04 - Smoke Break
05 - Crush My Vibe
06 - Plan Of Mine
07 - Mic Ministry

08 - Around the Way
09 - Mockem Yaw Radio Interlude
10 - Mind Bendin
11 - Ghetto Life

LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL IN THE COMMENTS FOR EXCLUSIVE SMOKED FISH FREESTYLE SESSIONS!

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For more information on the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene of the past, present, and future, stay tuned to the Stilltown blog. And for more '90s era hip-hop rarities check out Philaflava!

Almighty - God Willing (1998)

Almighty is 2Gz, Slim Kapone, Uncle Buck, and Nina Ross

Straight out of Pittsburgh, PA, this is Almighty's album God Willing. The majority of the album was produced by Sekou Coleman, with additional production from Mista Yuck and DJ Prizm.

Tracklist:
01. Da Koroner
02. P.G.H. (2Gz solo)

03. My Family
04. Steel Curtain
05. Anywayz

06. Let Em Fly
07. Feel Me (Slim Kapone solo)

08. Games
09. Squab
10. Turn It Out
11. Smok 'Em All
12. Day of Judgement

13. P.G.H. Roll Call

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Deezil Money - Thorough Endeavor (1998)

Released in 1998, Deezil Money's album Thorough Endeavor was one of my first experiences listening to Pittsburgh hip-hop. "Soldier of Fortune" is still one of my favorite Pittsburgh cuts ever.


01. Black Ice

02. Intro (Now or Never)
03. My Word
04. Been So Long
05. Jus da King & Money
06. Soldier of Fortune

07. What da Deal?
08. All My Eyes Can See

09. Generations
10. One in a Million
11. Run It!
12. Use' to Be
13. So Close