Lord Finesse
Encyclopedia
Lord Finesse is a Hip hop
artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx
, New York
, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C.
rap crew.
, Finesse and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth signed to Wild Pitch Records
, home to other popular Hip Hop artists like Gang Starr
, Main Source
, Chill Rob G
, Percee P
and O.C.
. In 1990
, the duo released their debut album Funky Technician
. The album featured production from future star beat-makers DJ Premier
, Diamond D
and Showbiz. Soon after, Finesse formed the popular New York underground crew D.I.T.C., an acronym for 'Diggin In The Crates', together with Showbiz & AG and Diamond D
. Future members included Fat Joe
, O.C.
, Buckwild
, and the late great, Big L
.
Finesse returned as a solo artist in late 1991
with his second effort, Return of the Funky Man
. The album featured guest appearances from Percee P
and AG. The album's title track peaked at #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. Return of the Funky Man also included a couple of songs that were produced by Finesse himself, and this would be the start of a career as a much respected hip-hop producer. In 1994
Finesse made a production appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.
's classic debut Ready to Die
, on the track Suicidal Thoughts. In 1995
, he produced a big portion of Big L
's debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
, including the single M.V.P. and also made an appearance on one of the album's highlight songs "Da Graveyard". He finally returned as an artist in 1996
with the now rare 12" single Check The Method and then the acclaimed album The Awakening
. Finesse produced the entire album himself, and enlisted a large number of guests, including O.C., KRS-One
, MC Lyte
, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D and Kid Capri
. The underground single Actual Facts, featuring Sadat X
, Grand Puba
and Large Professor
, was included as a hidden track on the album.
Finesse hasn't released a studio album since this effort, but has continued his production work. In 1997
, he produced the title track to O.C.'s acclaimed effort Jewelz
and also the track "Channel 10" off of Capone-n-Noreaga
's debut The War Report
. Finesse released a mixtape called Diggin' On Blue in 1999
. Later in the year, he produced the track The Message on Dr. Dre
's seminal 2001 album. Finesse is currently working on a Funky Technician remix project, as well as a new D.I.T.C. album. Along with these projects, he and DJ Premier are working on a posthumous Big L album.
In 1998, Finesse provided the vocal sample on the hook to The Rockafeller Skank
, a hit single by British musician Fatboy Slim
from his album You've Come a Long Way, Baby
. The song features Finesse's repeated line "Right about now, the funk soul brother. Check it out now, the funk soul brother".
Lord Finesse returned to the mic on Handsome Boy Modeling School
's album White People
in 2004. He was featured on the song entitled "Rock 'N' Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This) pt. 2, collaborating with famous old-school DJ's Grand Wizard Theodore and Jazzy Jay. Chester Bennington
and Mike Shinoda
from Linkin Park
make appearances, as well as Rahzel
of The Roots
. Additionally, the late underground hip-hop legend Big L
claims Finesse be putting it on
in his hit single "Put it On".
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artist and producer, hailing 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...
, New York
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...
, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C.
Diggin' in the Crates Crew
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...
rap crew.
Career
In 19891989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
, Finesse and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth signed to Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records
Wild Pitch Records was a hip hop record label started in the mid 1980s by Stuart Fine and was eventually distributed by EMI and eventually acquired by Jay Faires, who tried to reactivate it as part of his short-lived JCOR Entertainment label...
, home to other popular Hip Hop artists like Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
, Main Source
Main Source
Main Source was an innovative, acclaimed Toronto and New York-based hip hop group comprising Toronto natives Sir Scratch, K-Cut, and Queens native Large Professor...
, Chill Rob G
Chill Rob G
Chill Rob G on May 15th, is a hip hop artist from Jersey City, New Jersey.-Career:Chill's first hip hop collaboration was being part of the original version of the Flavor Unit collective, which included Lakim Shabazz, DJ Mark the 45 King, and Queen Latifah, among others...
, Percee P
Percee P
Percee P is a hip hop artist from the Patterson Projects in The Bronx, New York City, United States. Percee P has been writing and performing since 1979, yet his debut album Perseverance was not released until September 18, 2007, produced entirely by Madlib.He was known in the underground for...
and O.C.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
. In 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
, the duo released their debut album 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 album featured production from future star beat-makers DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, Diamond D
Diamond 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...
and Showbiz. Soon after, Finesse formed the popular New York underground crew D.I.T.C., an acronym for 'Diggin In The Crates', together with Showbiz & AG and Diamond D
Diamond 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...
. Future members included 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.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
, Buckwild
Buckwild
Buckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
, and the late great, Big L
Big L (rapper)
Lamont Coleman , better known by his stage name Big L, was an American rapper. Coleman was born and raised in Harlem, New York, where he started his rap career with Three the Hard Way. He founded the group Children of the Corn and was a member of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew before pursuing a...
.
Finesse returned as a solo artist in late 1991
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
with his second effort, Return of the Funky Man
Return of the Funky Man
Return of the Funky Man is the second album from hip hop producer and MC Lord Finesse. In 1991, Finesse split from his former partner DJ Mike Smooth, and his former record label, Wild Pitch Records, to release his first solo effort. Return of the Funky Man, which featured production from Finesse's...
. The album featured guest appearances from Percee P
Percee P
Percee P is a hip hop artist from the Patterson Projects in The Bronx, New York City, United States. Percee P has been writing and performing since 1979, yet his debut album Perseverance was not released until September 18, 2007, produced entirely by Madlib.He was known in the underground for...
and AG. The album's title track peaked at #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. Return of the Funky Man also included a couple of songs that were produced by Finesse himself, and this would be the start of a career as a much respected hip-hop producer. In 1994
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
Finesse made a production appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace , best known as The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper. He was also known as Biggie Smalls , Big Poppa, and The Black Frank White .Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough...
's classic debut 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,...
, on the track Suicidal Thoughts. In 1995
1995 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1995.- January–February :*January 18 – Jerry Garcia crashes his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California, USA, but is not injured in the accident....
, he produced a big portion of 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 ....
's debut album 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,...
, including the single M.V.P. and also made an appearance on one of the album's highlight songs "Da Graveyard". He finally returned as an artist in 1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
with the now rare 12" single Check The Method and then the acclaimed album The Awakening
The Awakening (Lord Finesse album)
The Awakening is the third album from Hip Hop artist Lord Finesse, released four years after his second album Return of the Funky Man. Unlike his first two albums, The Awakening features a large number of album guests, including O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz, Diamond D, A.G., Kid Capri,...
. Finesse produced the entire album himself, and enlisted a large number of guests, including O.C., KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
, MC Lyte
MC Lyte
MC Lyte is an American rapper who first gained fame in the late-1980s becoming the first solo female rapper to release a full album with 1988's critically acclaimed Lyte as a Rock.-Early life:...
, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D and Kid Capri
Kid Capri
David Anthony Love, Jr , also known by his stage name Kid Capri, is an American musician.He was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA....
. The underground single Actual Facts, featuring Sadat X
Sadat X
Sadat X is an American rapper, most famed as a member of Alternative hip hop group Brand Nubian. Originally known as Derek X, Sadat takes his name from former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat....
, Grand Puba
Grand Puba
Maxwell Dixon is an emcee best known as a member of the group Brand Nubian.-Biography:He made his debut with the group Masters of Ceremony. Its album Dynamite was hailed by critics, but probably due to lack of sales, the group soon disbanded, and Puba emerged as the lead emcee of Brand Nubian...
and Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
, was included as a hidden track on the album.
Finesse hasn't released a studio album since this effort, but has continued his production work. In 1997
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
, he produced the title track to O.C.'s acclaimed effort Jewelz
Jewelz
Jewelz is the second album by the rapper O.C.. Unlike his debut, 1994's Word...Life, Jewelz features a wider number of guest producers and rappers...
and also the track "Channel 10" off of Capone-n-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga
Capone-N-Noreaga was an American hip hop duo that consisted of Capone and Noreaga.-History:In 1996 the duo signed with Penalty Records; it also appeared in The Source magazine's Unsigned Hype column...
's debut The War Report
The War Report
The War Report is the influential debut album by rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga . The album features the classics "L.A., L.A."; "T.O.N.Y."; "Neva Die Alone"; "Driver's Seat"; "Illegal Life"; "Capone Bone"; "Bloody Money"; "Closer"; "Iraq "; and Noreaga's dedication to Capone, "Live on, Live Long."...
. Finesse released a mixtape called Diggin' On Blue in 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
. Later in the year, he produced the track The Message on Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's seminal 2001 album. Finesse is currently working on a Funky Technician remix project, as well as a new D.I.T.C. album. Along with these projects, he and DJ Premier are working on a posthumous Big L album.
In 1998, Finesse provided the vocal sample on the hook to The Rockafeller Skank
The Rockafeller Skank
"The Rockafeller Skank" is a song by English big beat musician Fatboy Slim. It was a hit single released from the 1998 album You've Come a Long Way, Baby....
, a hit single by British musician Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim
Norman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
from his album You've Come a Long Way, Baby
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
You've Come a Long Way, Baby is the second studio album by English big beat musician Fatboy Slim, released on 19 October 1998 through the label Skint Records. The album liner notes state that the album was made at The House of Love. The album peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number...
. The song features Finesse's repeated line "Right about now, the funk soul brother. Check it out now, the funk soul brother".
Lord Finesse returned to the mic on Handsome Boy Modeling School
Handsome Boy Modeling School
Handsome Boy Modeling School was a collaborative project between renowned hip hop producers Dan the Automator and Prince Paul...
's album White People
White People
White People is the second and final album by Handsome Boy Modeling School.-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:08# "If It Wasn't For You" – 4:37...
in 2004. He was featured on the song entitled "Rock 'N' Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This) pt. 2, collaborating with famous old-school DJ's Grand Wizard Theodore and Jazzy Jay. Chester Bennington
Chester Bennington
Chester Charles Bennington is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Linkin Park....
and Mike Shinoda
Mike Shinoda
Michael "Mike" Kenji Shinoda is an American musician, record producer, and artist. He is best known as the rapper, principal songwriter, keyboardist, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Linkin Park, along with his co-frontman and lead singer Chester Bennington, and as a solo rapper in...
from Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
make appearances, as well as Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
of The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
. Additionally, the late underground hip-hop legend 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 ....
claims Finesse be putting it on
Put It On
-Charts:...
in his hit single "Put it On".
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||
| 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... |
|
93 |
| Return of the Funky Man Return of the Funky Man Return of the Funky Man is the second album from hip hop producer and MC Lord Finesse. In 1991, Finesse split from his former partner DJ Mike Smooth, and his former record label, Wild Pitch Records, to release his first solo effort. Return of the Funky Man, which featured production from Finesse's... |
Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... /Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
95 |
| The Awakening The Awakening (Lord Finesse album) The Awakening is the third album from Hip Hop artist Lord Finesse, released four years after his second album Return of the Funky Man. Unlike his first two albums, The Awakening features a large number of album guests, including O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz, Diamond D, A.G., Kid Capri,... |
Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
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Singles
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