II Tone Committee
Encyclopedia
II Tone Committee a.k.a Tones of Twice, composed of Mista Bohze, Defy, Sace and DJ Krashslaughta and emerged from the Glasgow Hip Hop scene of the late 80’s
's southside were pervayors of the early British hip hop
sound, labeled by some as Britcore. Along with other britcore groups such as Gunshot
, Hijack
, London Posse
, Demon Boyz
, Katch 22, Silver Bullet
, Hardnoise
and Killa Instinct, the groups manages to created a sound and identity which gave rise to the UK hip hop scene, something the UK had struggled with ever since hip hop first arrived.
Although acclaimed by critics and fellow artists, and despite selling over 30,000 copies of their EP and compilation releases, the Glasgow
band were better known in mainland Europe
than they were at home in the UK.
In recently years Mista Bohze, alongside fellow Woodchoppas Dojo artists Chuck and NC Epik, has produced two albums with his new group The Sentinels. DJ Krashslaughta currently splits his time between DJing and producing new material, playing alongside west coast of Scotland
based group All Time High who featured on DJ Numark’s mix cd ‘Hands On’. Mista Defy is working on various projects. There is still hope within the scene that the group will reform, although as yet there is no sign of it happening.
History
The Group hailing from GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
's southside were pervayors of the early British hip hop
British hip hop
British hip hop is a genre of music, and a culture that covers a variety of styles of hip hop music made in the United Kingdom. It is generally classified as one of a number of styles of urban music...
sound, labeled by some as Britcore. Along with other britcore groups such as Gunshot
Gunshot
A gunshot is the discharge of a firearm, producing a mechanical sound effect and a chemical gunshot residue. The term can also refer to a gunshot wound caused by such a discharge. Multiple discharges of a firearm or firearms are referred to as gunfire. The word can connotate either the sound of a...
, Hijack
Hijack (band)
Hijack were a hip hop group from Brixton in London, featuring Kamanchi Sly, DJ Supreme, DJ Undercover, Ulysses, Agent Fritz and Agent Clueso. Their first single, "Style Wars" caught the attention of the British hip hop community...
, London Posse
London Posse
London Posse was one of the earliest groups in the British hip hop scene. It was formed by Sipho the Human Beatbox, along with Rodney P, Bionic and DJ Biznezz. They formed for a tour of the US to support Mick Jones' new group, Big Audio Dynamite...
, Demon Boyz
Demon Boyz
The Demon Boyz were an English hip hop group formed in London by Demon D, Mike J and DJ Devastate. They began rapping whilst in their early teens, performing at the Rebel MC’s Beat Freak gigs. Their big break came when they won a competition on Dave Pearce’s rap show, their prize being to perform...
, Katch 22, Silver Bullet
Silver Bullet
A silver bullet is a method to kill mythical creatures such as werewolves or a metaphor for any solution of extreme effectiveness.Silver Bullet may also refer to:* Silver Bullet , a 1985 American film based on a Stephen King novella...
, Hardnoise
Hardnoise
Hardnoise were one of the founding fathers of the British hip hop scene, and - along with early label-mates Hijack - set the template for the UK hardcore sound...
and Killa Instinct, the groups manages to created a sound and identity which gave rise to the UK hip hop scene, something the UK had struggled with ever since hip hop first arrived.
Although acclaimed by critics and fellow artists, and despite selling over 30,000 copies of their EP and compilation releases, the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
band were better known in mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
than they were at home in the UK.
In recently years Mista Bohze, alongside fellow Woodchoppas Dojo artists Chuck and NC Epik, has produced two albums with his new group The Sentinels. DJ Krashslaughta currently splits his time between DJing and producing new material, playing alongside west coast of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
based group All Time High who featured on DJ Numark’s mix cd ‘Hands On’. Mista Defy is working on various projects. There is still hope within the scene that the group will reform, although as yet there is no sign of it happening.
Discography
- Hangman EP (23rd Precinct Recordings, 1991)
- Beings From A Word Struck Surface 12" (23rd Precinct Recordings, 1991)
- Submission EP (Dope On Plastic, 1998)
- One 12" (Darkroom Records, 2002)
Guest appearances
- Krashslaughta - "Brokin Needles Blown Mics" ft II Tone Committee & Killa Instinct (X-Records, 1995) Always Remain Hardcore 12"
- Killa Instinct - "No More Need For Whisphering" ft GunshotGunshotA gunshot is the discharge of a firearm, producing a mechanical sound effect and a chemical gunshot residue. The term can also refer to a gunshot wound caused by such a discharge. Multiple discharges of a firearm or firearms are referred to as gunfire. The word can connotate either the sound of a...
& II Tone Committee (Move, 1996) The Penultimate Sacrfice EP
External links
- Heroes of UK Hip Hop's II Tone Committee Page
- II Tone Committee Official Myspace Profile
- Scottish hip hop article
- Mista Defy Official Myspace Profile
- DJ Krashslaughta Myspace Profile
- The Sentinels Official Myspace Profile
- The Sentinels Official Website
- britishhiphop.co.uk - The original UK Hip Hop History