Hailing from Hollis Queens (and well influenced by their neigh-
bors, RUN-DMC), Lord Black, The Ruler Master Rock, and Ron
Scratch released their first single "Hard Rap" on Next Plateau in 86
under the name the Vicious Four. Released during the emergence
of the "New School" where samplers and drum machines such as
the Lynn Drum and the SP-12 hit the market, producers and
hip-hop artists were better able to create a less expensive and
more complex structure to tracks that wasn't previously available
without having connections or a backing band. The era of loop
heavy samples and drum breaks were upon us.
In 1987 Black, Rock & Ron hooked up with Jazzy Jay (Strong City)
who produced their next single "That's How I'm Livin" also on Next
Plateau. At the request of LL Cool J they then went on to be
managed by the one and only Russell Simmons' Rush Town. Then
getting signed to RCA Records Black, Rock and Ron put together
the material for their debut album "Stop The World". With legen-
dary engineers: the late Paul C. (Ultramagnetic MC's, Super Love
Cee & Cassanova Rudd, Organized Konfusion), DJ Doc (Boogie
Down Productions, Spyder D), and Skeff Anselm (A Tribe Called
Quest, Brand Nubian) at the boards they put out the underrated
classic LP, a few 12 inch singles, and a couple videos. They gained a
cult following overseas, the album "Stop the World" was released
on the Supreme record label in the UK. It entered the UK album
charts on 22 April 1989, and reached number 72. They were last
involved with the Hip-Hop Against Apartheid - Ndodemnyama
(Free South Africa) anti-apartheid song, but like some of the unfor-
tunate rap artists of the time, Black, Rock & Ron just seemed to fall
off into random rap obscurity.
That is until now, Get On Down in conjunction with Sony Music
presents this dusty gem repackaged with an extended booklet
featuring vintage never seen-promo photography, the first
interview with all 3 members in over 20 years, a reprint of vintage
HHC magazine cover story feature and Testimonial quotes from
likes of Russell Simmons, Tragedy Khadafi and Uncle Ralph
McDaniels.
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