Both a producer and an emcee Erick Sermon also known as ‘the green eyed bandit’ tasted viable success having formed and founded Def Squad Records just after parting ways with long time collaborator Parrish Smith as half the rap duo EPMD and as part of the Hit Squad.
Keith Murray had a philly blunted coarse vocal tone and delivered rewind ready scientific unapologetic rhymes for the streets on his 1994 debut :
‘The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World’.
The gold selling album cracked a peakhole of interest for any current or soon to be backpack head averting feverishly trendy hip hop acts or rap soloists seeking commercial heroism during that period .
I was one such a young enthusiast looking to unearth various lyrical styles of rap and bought it on cassette.
Murray’s [TMBTITW] was one of my first in a musical journey into hip hop’s underground.
I’d later purchase his ‘Enigma’ album following it’s release as well on cd .
Fellow Def Squad member Redman still hailed today as a rapper’s rapper had already been riding a wave of gold selling albums.
The `funk doctor spoc’ as he’s also known would go on to achieve gold status yet again following his 3rd release ‘Muddy Waters’, an album I recall as being one of my very first cd purchases off money earned at a job I held post high school.
Sermon even tried his hand at producing rnb having signed Alfonzo Hunter whose lead single ‘Just The Way (Playas Play)’ enjoyed lots of radio spins and club success during 1996 to 1997.
‘Blacker Da Berry’ was quite enjoyable and bass heavy in true Def Squad fashion.
Purchased it on cassette and played it repeatedly.
Unfortunately it would be the singer’s first and last under the label’s imprint.
He’d not attain as much success following this album in his musical career.
Thank you for the music 