I control the masses, with metaphors that’s massive
Don’t ask if the n***a Ruck’ll bash shit like Cassius
I’m drastic, when it comes to verbs I be flippin’
‘Cause herbs just be shittin’ off the words I be kickin’
I scold you, double-headed sword for the petty
But I told you, bitch n***as that heads ain’t ready
Now I mold you, back to the bitch that you are
Fuckin’ with the Ruckus get bruised, battered and scarred
(Sean Price a/k/a Ruck; “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka”)
I can’t believe today already marks two years to the day that legendary Brownsville, Brooklyn emcee Sean Price tragically and completely unexpectedly passed away in his sleep at the age of 43. In addition to his solid solo career, Sean P is best known as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah (originally going by the name Ruck) and also as a prominent member of the supergroup known as the Boot Camp Clik and the Duck Down Music family at large. Sean P’s raw lyrical abilities first gained exposure in 1995, when he and rhyme partner Rock (a/k/a the Rockness Monsta), appeared on fellow Brooklynites and BCC members Smif-N-Wessun’s classic debut album, Dah Shinin’. After gaining even more buzz with the surprise single “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” (a posse cut with yet another group from the BCC collective, O.G.C.; altogether known as The Fab 5, a supergroup within a supergroup!), Heltah Skeltah released their seminal 1996 debut album, Nocturnal, which went on to sell over 250,000 copies.
Hailed as an underground classic, the project is known for its murky boom bap basement beats and all-too-perfect chemistry between Ruck and Rock; P’s relentless lyrical slaughter and wordplay is complimented beautifully by Rock’s own capable rhyme skills and trademark raspy voice. Production-wise, the album fits in perfectly with all other BCC-related material put out up until that point, courtesy of the dusty, grimy basement flavor of Da Beatminerz, with additional tracks laced by E-Swift (of Tha Alkaholiks fame), Shawn J. Period and Duck Down co-founder/CEO and Black Moon frontman Buckshot. “Leflaur…” is thankfully included on here, as well as the singles “Operation Lock Down” and “Therapy”; the latter features a hook from longtime hip hop guest vocalist Vinia Mojica and is probably the most commercially viable song on the album.
Other tracks on Nocturnal that best exemplify the duo’s chemistry include the bangers “Letha Brainz Blo”, “Undastand” and “Clan’s, Posse’s, Crew’s & Clik’s”, and Ruck and Rock also trade verses with another Duck Down duo (the Representativz) on “The Square (Triple R)” before linking up with O.G.C. member Louieville Sluggah on the appropriately dark nightlife-themed “Prowl”. Sean is additionally given the opportunity to shine solo (but with one guest verse from lesser-known affiliate Illa Noyz) on the self-referential “Sean Price”. Sean’s famously candid sense of humor is further exposed on the amusing booty call-themed skit “Gettin Ass Gettin Ass”; the latter features Vinia Mojica returning as the, uh…”love interest”.
Following the release of Nocturnal, the Boot Camp Clik’s presence and influence in hip hop (particularly on the East Coast) would only continue to grow, and Sean P in particular would come to be recognized as one of the collective’s most lyrically gifted members and a cult hero of sorts for the NYC underground. Heltah Skeltah would put out two other studio albums together (in 1998 and 2008, respectively), and while they were dope, neither one would match the intensity of their debut, in my opinion. If you’re a newbie to Sean P’s music and talent, the beginning is a fine place to start.
On a side note, be sure to support Sean’s posthumous fourth solo album, Imperius Rex, available everywhere today!
R.I.P. Sean Price a/k/a Ruck (1972-2015)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3XSoWOU5xE?ecver=1]
