Every sports fan sits around and talks about
those super teams. Once in a great while, the right group of players, create
the right chemistry, and make history. They play a certain way, carry a certain
reputation and attitude, all for the better. If Hip-Hop has a super-team of
today, it’s Diggin’ in the Crates hands down.
The name is synonymous with great producers.
The classic formula for making a hissing and popping vinyl artifact come alive
in your headphones, the whip, and even the good old boom-box on the porch. Beyond
that, Diggin’ in the Crates stands for great MC’s. The MC’s who rhymed like
they had something to prove everybody, but didn’t owe nobody a g####### thing.
D.I.T.C. as they’re known to many, is as legendary
as it gets. But anybody whose seen them in action knows that this clique rolls
thick. On a momentously rare occasion, AllHipHop caught up with the Diggin’
in the Crates crew at their first official gathering in several years. While
not all members were present, we were blessed with a treasure chest of jewels
from Lord Finesse, O.C., A.G., and Diamond.
A new album is in the works, and an event on February 19, that’s will surely
be a must see. Plus get some classic look backs on these icons in their individual
careers and personal techniques. Those great sports dynasties have mostly all
died off and been dismantled. This dynasty is still playing, undefeated. Peep
Game.
AllHipHop: It was ’97 – ’98 when you guys recorded
the last LP. This time, you in particular (O.C.), are at a whole new level with
your game. It’s full cycle back to the debut hunger, I’m wondering what kind
of contribution you’re offering to this LP.
O.C.: Well I mean, I’m basically back to havin’
fun with it. That’s the discussions right now about the record. The money and
everything, I mean – it’s cool. But if we ain’t having fun with it, it’s not
gonna be a great record. It’s not gonna pull the best out of me, Ness, A, and
Diamond. I’m not even looking forward to anything else but having fun with it.
AllHipHop: Any changes to your style?
A.G.: Not really. Of course, since the last time,
I’ve grown and evolved. But I wouldn’t say that I’m thinkin’ different. I wanna
give it the best I got.
AllHipHop: How does Diggin’ in the Crates divvy
up the production duties?
Lord Finesse: When we doing production, it’s
basically everybody just brings loops of beats to the table. And we try to decide
from that aspect.
AllHipHop: So on the back of the LP, when it
says "produced by Lord Finesse" or whatever, that’s really everybody
collaborating?
Lord Finesse: Yeah, but the last couple of projects
have just been straight beats. So this time around, we’re trying to start from
scratch. What can we do to change the game? So this time, it’ll be more of a
joint discussion. I mean, they always joint discussions. But we going from ingredients
now. Flour, and sugar, and milk, and whatever. We making a strong, incredible,
foundation from the beginning to the end.
AllHipHop: Diamond, will you be taking more of
a role in the production process on this album?
Diamond: It’s too early to say. We haven’t even
started recorded yet. Probably, I will.
AllHipHop: Is Fat Joe, Showbiz and Buckwild part
of this?
O.C.: Everybody – Joe, Buck, Show is gonna be
involved with it. But at this moment, it’s in the early stages, it’s more like
discussions right now. So right now it’s me, Diamond, A, and Ness, ‘cuz we basically
the MC’s. We basically discussin’ how we gonna put it together without it soundin’
like it’s forced. We ain’t tryin’ to fit into a genre of music that everybody
else doin’, we do what we do.
AllHipHop: On a night like tonight, where three
or four of you guys are vibin’, what exactly goes on in a discussion or meeting?
How do you organize that? How do you build?
O.C.: On some real s###, it’s simple man. Right
now A and Ness is playing NBA 2004. I’m sitting here reading a magazine. This
is how we build. Ain’t no special formula or nothing like that, we just get
together and talk like grown men supposed to talk.
AllHipHop: Finesse, you jumped this reunion off.
What was it inside yourself that told you that you needed to do this?
Lord Finesse: Well, I hear from the fans. [They
always asking] about Diggin’ in the Crates. We had a great thing, but it happened
so quick. That’s what the whole thing is about is the motivation from the fans
makes you do what you do.
Catch the entire D.I.T.C crew celebrating
Lord Finesse’s birthday. Hosted by The Wake Up Show/MTV Host Sway! At S#####s
in Manhattan, February 19. Part of AllHipHop.com and Sob’s Plain Rap series.
For more, sobs.com
