Nemesis (rap crew)
Encyclopedia
Nemesis is the first rap crew from Dallas, Texas
to enjoy popularity in the US and world-wide, thanks to their label, Profile Records
, which was well-known for bringing out many popular east coast rap releases such as Run-DMC, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, and Dana Dane
. Originally, Nemesis was called "Sumthin Fresh" and consisted of rappers MC Azim aka Lawrence Azim Rashid, Bhumble Bee, and Eazy Roque aka Charles Roquemore who were joined by DJ Snake aka Don Brown, Big Al aka Al English, and Casanova Rock. The rappers from Hamilton Park and the DJs from Oak Cliff
(both neighborhoods in Dallas) became part of the Dallas, Texas
underground rap scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As Sumthin Fresh, the group appeared regularly on KNON FM 90.9. Initially, they appeared as guests on Nippy Jones Freaky Fresh Friday afternoon show and after teaming up with DJ Snake for music production, they were regulars on the "All Hardy Def Party" radio show which became the metroplex's hottest radio show at the time. The radio show, which was hosted by DJ Snake, Big Al, and Casanova Rock, was most popular to young Dallas hip-hoppers who had no other options or outlets for rap music. Every Wednesday night, from 9pm til Midnight, Dallas/Fort Worth listeners were deluded with local artists, local sounds along with underground beats.
Sumthin Fresh became local stars and Bumble Bee, feeling that Something Fresh was a bit soft, decided to change their name to Nemesis. Nemesis released their first album entitled, To Hell and Back on their independent record label
, Get Off Me Records. Bumble Bee left the group shortly after they signed with Profile Records
, due to creative and philosophical differences between himself and the producers. Eazy Roque also left soon after.
This left MC Azim behind as the lone MC with the group. Big Al, one of the group's producer/deejays then manned a microphone in order to help complete the project, and reinvent the group's sound to feature more of bass oriented sound featuring beats by DJ Snake.
There have been various reincarnations of the rap group. which infused random affiliates such as Ron C and Joe Macc.
The group's last known recording is 2000's, Munchies for Your Bass, Da Return (Out tha Trunk, which was developed by Big Al along with a cast of virtual unknowns such as Mubuda. Stylistically, they were inspired by many genres of music Gangsta rap
, Miami bass
, Metal
as well as (in terms of lyrics) spirituality
(greatly inspired by Islam
).
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
to enjoy popularity in the US and world-wide, thanks to their label, Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
, which was well-known for bringing out many popular east coast rap releases such as Run-DMC, Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, and Dana Dane
Dana Dane
Dana McLeese, better known by his stage name Dana Dane, is an American hip hop recording artist known for performance of humorous lyrics and for his fashion sense.-Early life:...
. Originally, Nemesis was called "Sumthin Fresh" and consisted of rappers MC Azim aka Lawrence Azim Rashid, Bhumble Bee, and Eazy Roque aka Charles Roquemore who were joined by DJ Snake aka Don Brown, Big Al aka Al English, and Casanova Rock. The rappers from Hamilton Park and the DJs from Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff is a community in Dallas, Texas, United States that was formerly a separate town located in Dallas County; Dallas annexed Oak Cliff in 1903...
(both neighborhoods in Dallas) became part of the Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
underground rap scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As Sumthin Fresh, the group appeared regularly on KNON FM 90.9. Initially, they appeared as guests on Nippy Jones Freaky Fresh Friday afternoon show and after teaming up with DJ Snake for music production, they were regulars on the "All Hardy Def Party" radio show which became the metroplex's hottest radio show at the time. The radio show, which was hosted by DJ Snake, Big Al, and Casanova Rock, was most popular to young Dallas hip-hoppers who had no other options or outlets for rap music. Every Wednesday night, from 9pm til Midnight, Dallas/Fort Worth listeners were deluded with local artists, local sounds along with underground beats.
Sumthin Fresh became local stars and Bumble Bee, feeling that Something Fresh was a bit soft, decided to change their name to Nemesis. Nemesis released their first album entitled, To Hell and Back on their independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
, Get Off Me Records. Bumble Bee left the group shortly after they signed with Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
, due to creative and philosophical differences between himself and the producers. Eazy Roque also left soon after.
This left MC Azim behind as the lone MC with the group. Big Al, one of the group's producer/deejays then manned a microphone in order to help complete the project, and reinvent the group's sound to feature more of bass oriented sound featuring beats by DJ Snake.
There have been various reincarnations of the rap group. which infused random affiliates such as Ron C and Joe Macc.
The group's last known recording is 2000's, Munchies for Your Bass, Da Return (Out tha Trunk, which was developed by Big Al along with a cast of virtual unknowns such as Mubuda. Stylistically, they were inspired by many genres of music Gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
, Miami bass
Miami bass
Miami bass , is a type of hip hop music, that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. Its roots are directly linked to the Electro-funk sound of the early 1980s, pioneered by Afrika Bambataa & The Soulsonic Force and later on by UK-based musician Paul Hardcastle...
, Metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
as well as (in terms of lyrics) spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
(greatly inspired by Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
).
Discography
- 1988 To Hell and Back (Get Off Me Records)
- 1989 To Hell and Back (Profile)
- 1991 Munchies for Your Bass (Profile) (Re-release in 1995)
- 1993 Temple of Boom (Profile)
- 1995 The People Want Bass (Profile) (Re-release in 1997)
- 2000 Munchies for Your Bass, Da Return (Out tha Trunk) (Mack Time Records)
- 2006 Greatest Hits (Mack Time Records)