Showbiz & A.G.

• Genre: Boom Bap/Nineties

About

Hailing from the Bronx, Showbiz & A.G. are one of hip-hop's most important -- and underappreciated -- acts. Down with the Diggin' In The Crates crew (alongside Lord Finesse, Big L, Fat Joe and Diamond D), they hit the scene in 1992 with the undisputed classic "Soul Clap." Their first LP, Runaway Slave, was released shortly thereafter and remains a landmark in hip-hop history; it's jam-packed with irresistibly funky production and ridiculously dope rhymes. Unfortunately, as with many great groups of the day, label politics meant that, outside of hardcore heads, Showbiz & A.G. never really got the props they deserved. Goodfellas followed three years later, and though it was a solid album, it just didn't compare to their first effort. They returned with theFull Scale EP in 1997, and have released numerous singles and solo projects since then. Although massive commercial success has eluded these two, Showbiz & A.G. will nevertheless be superstars to a generation of diehard fans.

- Brolin Winning