Search - Godfather Don :: Diabolique

A creative force within New York City's underground Hip Hop scene, Godfather Don first appeared in 1991 with Hazardous, released on the Select imprint. A few years later, the Don appeared on, and produced, the Ultramagnetic MCs' Four Horsemen, which led to a collaboration with that group's standout, Kool Keith, called The Cenobites. An EP was issued on Fondle 'Em REcords, which was started by New York B-boy, DJ, and man about town Bobbito Garcia. The material on the EP had originally been recorded as gags or promos for Garcia's underground Hip Hop radio show on New York's WKCR. The Cenobites EP was then reissued by Fondle 'Em as a full length LP.

Throughout the 1990s, Godfather Don continued to work as a producer, working on tracks from Kool Keith, Hostyle, and Ayatollah, among others. In 1999, he released his second album, Diaobolique, on which his flow was very similar to the bludgeoning raps of his 1991 debut. Originally released in 1999, the album was released on the Hydra Entertainment imprint, for which Godfather Don continued to record for, releasing several 12'' singles in the late 90s and early 2000s. Don is embraced by a wide swath of fans, both for his beats and his bludgeoning, complex style (which has drawn comparisons to Chuck D), arguably at its peak here. Guests Kool Keith and Sir Menelik are perfect foils, providing just enough variation while not diluting the 'solo album'; experience. This is one of the great lost pieces of history from NYC's 'backpack' era, there is no sophomore slump apparent here. Packaged in a deluxe digipack, this reissue includes a bonus disc containing instrumentals for every track.