"When I was younger I was in a group with Parrish (of EPMD). He was the DJ in the group and I was the emcee. He grew up and came into his own recording deal. He always remembered that I was good, and then he heard me on... more »e day during the time after I got released. He heard some lyrics and before you know it we were in the studio. We cut the whole thing for the summer in 1990." Available for the first time since it's initial release is K-Solo's certified Hip Hop classic, "Tell the World My Name." The man who was introduced to the world on EPMD's masterful second album, "Unfinished Business", is deservingly given deluxe reissue treatment, packed with bonus liner notes, audio and artwork. Upon receiving critical acclaim for his guest appearance on EPMD's "Knick Knack Patty Wack" in 1989, K-Solo returned in 1990 with the full length record. Receiving a great push from the group that put him on, the bulk of the album's production was handled by Parish "PMD" Smith, with the successful lead single, "Spellbound", being produced by Eric Sermon, making "Tell The World My Name" in fact the first "Hit Squad" group project. "[With 'Spellbound'], I wanted to come out in the industry with something totally different. I knew that the kids needed something to pick up on too, and I figured why not let them pick up on something that they can probably read, and at least try and stress that they should learn how to read in a rap record, and do it in a funky way, and I was successful in doing it." Considered severely underappreciated by many a Hip Hop aficionado, "Tell The World My Name" was a perfect marriage of signature EPMD production paired with exceptional writing from K-Solo. A well-rounded emcee, Solo didn't just make a 12-track-deep braggadocio LP, but instead also introduced listeners to his gifted story telling abilities. On "Tales From The Crack Side" Solo plays the role of a crack head who's mind is playing tricks on him as his life goes down the drain, while "Renee-Renee" is a message to a particular lady who's growing up disrespecting her body. Two of the most popular cuts on the album, which also happened to be concept tracks, were released as singles, "Fugitive" and "Your Mom's In My Business" (as a promo single). The previously unreleased "Fugitive" (A Capella), as well as two very rare remix versions of "Your Mom's", have been included.« less
"When I was younger I was in a group with Parrish (of EPMD). He was the DJ in the group and I was the emcee. He grew up and came into his own recording deal. He always remembered that I was good, and then he heard me one day during the time after I got released. He heard some lyrics and before you know it we were in the studio. We cut the whole thing for the summer in 1990." Available for the first time since it's initial release is K-Solo's certified Hip Hop classic, "Tell the World My Name." The man who was introduced to the world on EPMD's masterful second album, "Unfinished Business", is deservingly given deluxe reissue treatment, packed with bonus liner notes, audio and artwork. Upon receiving critical acclaim for his guest appearance on EPMD's "Knick Knack Patty Wack" in 1989, K-Solo returned in 1990 with the full length record. Receiving a great push from the group that put him on, the bulk of the album's production was handled by Parish "PMD" Smith, with the successful lead single, "Spellbound", being produced by Eric Sermon, making "Tell The World My Name" in fact the first "Hit Squad" group project. "[With 'Spellbound'], I wanted to come out in the industry with something totally different. I knew that the kids needed something to pick up on too, and I figured why not let them pick up on something that they can probably read, and at least try and stress that they should learn how to read in a rap record, and do it in a funky way, and I was successful in doing it." Considered severely underappreciated by many a Hip Hop aficionado, "Tell The World My Name" was a perfect marriage of signature EPMD production paired with exceptional writing from K-Solo. A well-rounded emcee, Solo didn't just make a 12-track-deep braggadocio LP, but instead also introduced listeners to his gifted story telling abilities. On "Tales From The Crack Side" Solo plays the role of a crack head who's mind is playing tricks on him as his life goes down the drain, while "Renee-Renee" is a message to a particular lady who's growing up disrespecting her body. Two of the most popular cuts on the album, which also happened to be concept tracks, were released as singles, "Fugitive" and "Your Mom's In My Business" (as a promo single). The previously unreleased "Fugitive" (A Capella), as well as two very rare remix versions of "Your Mom's", have been included.
CD Reviews
This K-SOLO CD ROCKS!!
SmokaJ | 04/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I finally found a copy!! I LOVE this CD! The whole CD ROCKS!! my favorites are "SPELLBOUND","FUGITIVE","TALES FROM THE CRACKSIDE","REAL SOLO PLEASE STAND UP" and of course"YOUR MOMS IN MY BUSINESS"not to mention that this CD was produced by EPMD acctually just PMD.I just whished he could of followed up with another tight cd like this one."
Real Solo Please Stand Up
SmokaJ | TORONTO | 07/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, Eminem jacked that hook.
The Hit Squad's (EPMD, K-Solo, Redman, Keith Murray and arguably DAS Efx) black sheep, K-Solo lays down a classic here. The s-p-e-l-l-b-o-u-n-d MC who can break down any word and make it rhyme, tears this album up over EPMD beats (all tracks produced by PMD, except Spellbound by E-Dub). No guest spots, just 12 bangin' tracks of pure Solo...he's so solo, he won't even share a track! Speaking of, I see there's no track listing so here ya go:
1) Spellbound
2) Rockin' for My Hometown
3) Everybody Knows Me
4) Speed Blocks
5) Fugitive
6) Tales from the Crack Side
7) Your Mom's in My Business
8) Real Solo Please Stand Up
9) Renee-Renee
10) Solo Rocks the House
11) The Messenger
12) Drums of Death
I have to say the "Your Mom's in My Business," is one of my favorite tracks from 1990.
Bottom Line: If you're a fan of EPMD or any Hit Squad members - this is a must have. Even EPMD's DJ, DJ Scratch is on the decks for this album. Every Hip-Hop head should g-o c-o-p t-h-i-s n-o-w...5 stars, Peace.
"
A classic from a forgotten talent
ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 03/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't like to throw around the "classic" term too much, but it would be a disservice to call "Tell the World My Name" anything else. A longtime friend of PMD, K-Solo joined EPMD's Hit Squad and subsequently released his excellent debut in 1990. Even though you still hear "Your Mom's in My Business" once in a while today, this album has slipped through the cracks over the years, which is a shame because it was one of the best albums of the year. Solo was a distinctly East Coast MC with a decidedly old school approach, but on this album, he executed his product flawlessly. With a delivery comparable to PMD, an early LL Cool J, or Large Professor, Solo spits rhymes that are constantly on-point, well written, and clever. He's a wonderful storyteller, relating tales with great detail, and I also like that many of his rhymes carry a positive message without sacrificing his hard-as-nails style. His practice of spelling out words was soon imitated by countless rappers in the early 90s. Solo doesn't take too many chances on "Tell the World My Name"; he is a straightforward MC relying solely on talent and a tried-and-true formula that he engineers to perfection. Production is handled exclusively by the one and only EPMD (PMD produced 11 tracks, Erick Sermon produced one) so you know the sample-heavy old school grooves here are as good as any. "Tell the World My Name" is a lost old school gem from 1990 that I recommend to hip hop fans.
With the great single "Spellbound" and Long Island shoutout "Rockin' for My Hometown," Solo sets the scene for an album with tight beats and top-notch rhyming. On "Everybody Knows Me," he recounts his teenage years and people who doubted his rapping ability, and he displays a quick tongue on the showcase "Speed Blocks." "Fugitive" is an awesome storytelling track with a superb beat and tale of escaping the law. My favorite song is the conceptual gem "Tales From the Crack Side," a six-and-a-half minute chronicle of trippy encounters after smoking "too much base." It's also got a good message, warning against drugs at the end of the track. Another classic single is "Your Mom's in My Business," a legendary cut complaining to a girlfriend about her over-involved mother. The beat and sampling on this track are excellent. "Real Solo Please Stand Up" is nice, slamming imitators, and "Renee-Renee" is an entertaining track, telling the sad story of a girl gone bad in his neighborhood. The impressive "Solo Rocks the House" and "The Messenger," which promotes Muslim scripture, close the album with the rough and appealing "Drums of Death."
"Tell the World My Name" had multiple classic singles and generated a sizable buzz, but with EPMD's breakup, K-Solo only managed to put out one more album (1992's Time's Up). Eventually his debut went out of print, leading to the high prices you'll see today. I'd love to see a reissue of his two albums in a package, but until then, I suggest heads keep an eye out for this gem. K-Solo's name may not be as well known as his legendary peers today, but like his mentors EPMD, he maintains a high level of respect among East Coast heads. "Tell the World My Name" is an impressive showcase of a unique talent and wonderfully executed old-school rap."
K-S-O-L-O is P-H-A-T
R. H. Bruce | Fort Pierce, Fl USA | 05/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"YO i got the cassette from day 1 and its s-l-a-m-m-i-n! Spellbound, Tales from the crackside, Fugitive, and your moms in my business are all B-A-N-G-I-N! If you dont have this classic you dont know S-O-L-O!!!"
NO MATTER WHAT, THIS IS ESSENTIAL TO ME!!!!
Martin L. King | 02/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"i just shake my head when i see this album on here. SPELLBOUND.........when i heard it i was like WHO IS THIS? i wonder what happened to him? after thge breakup of the original hit squad, it was like he just vanished. i heard he broke west and was with death row. then i heard him on that redman joint. then i heard a few underground cuts from him. then i saw him talk about his beef with dmx over SPELLBOUND. after that, then what? my joints on here is SPELLBOUND, of course, REAL SOLO PLEASE STAND UP, FUGITIVE, TALES FROM THE CRACK SIDE, ROCKIN FOR MY HOMETOWN, and last but not least, YOUR MOM IS IN MY BUSINESS. did i say RENEE RENEE? this makes me wanna yell 1990!!!!!!! all over again."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1