What's good one and all?! This post will be looking at the most under-appreciated crew perhaps in the entire game, the Boot Camp Clik. Seen as the underground Wu-Tang, this collective of nine were and are rather dope emcees. The collective consisted of Buckshot, 5FT, Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeletal, and OGC. Each group or act has contributed greatly to the game of hip-hop with superb releases and an authentic rough, rugged, and in-your-face style that was so New York. There have been MANY discussions over the greatest Wu albums ever recorded, but what about BCC? Well, ;et's get into it shall we?
15. Boot Camp Clik- For The People
Heads were clamoring for a group album from all the members of the Clik, and we got our wish in '97, with their debut group album, For The People. While not the classic we were expecting, it was still a decent album to which we were able to see a group dynamic that was very cohesive and it blended. That's not to say there wasn't some heat on here either, as cuts like "Illa Noyz", "Go For Yours", and especially the dark sounding, acrylic drum thump of "Ohkedoke". This was a slept-on album, but became, as a group, their highest selling album.
14. Health Skeletal- Magnum Force
One of the most lyrically dangerous duos in hip-hop during this time was Ruck (later known as Sean Price) and Rock (aka Da Rockness Monsta). Their incredible debut album, Nocturnal, introduced us to the bizarre, yet highly intriguing world of Rockness and Tawl Sean. This was the sophomore album to it, and it was met with mixed reviews, as many were looking for this to be Nocturnal 2. However, abandoning the sound that was gritty and in-your-face, they went to a more polished, leaner sound in production and it was hit or miss for them. However, the album did generate the RIOTOUS classic, "I Ain't Havin' That", which shattered windows overtime it was played.
13. Cocoa Brovaz- The Rude Awakening
When they were at odds with the Smith & Wesson gun company, plus at odds with their prior label, Nervous Records, they were known as Cocoa Brovaz. Their long awaited second effort to follow-up their classic debut Dah Shinin was met with lukewarm reception, but overall it was dope. The chemistry was still there and Tek and Steele sounded refreshed and revived on tracks like the hot "Back 2 Life", "Bucktown USA", and the strong cut from the Soul In The Hole soundtrack, "Won On Won". While it was no Shinin', this was still dope in its own right.
12. Boot Camp Clik- The Chosen Few
With in-fighting going on within the crew, and being without member Rock due to the internal conflicts, they delivered their sophomore group effort, The Chosen Few. Although it didn't sound the same without Rockness, they did an honorable job, as evidenced on cuts like "And So", "Think Back", and the ode to baby daddies "Daddy Wanna". With production from the likes of The Alchemist, Hi-Tek, and them reuniting with Da Beatminerz, this was a mild step up from the previous album. Had Rock been there, this would've been a very complete album.
11. Health Skeletal- D.I.R.T. (Da incredible Rap Team)
AH! It was awesome to see the self-professed "power forward and the center" reunite after being apart for eleven years. As usual, their competitive style had them both bringing the A-games on every single track. Although the album cover was among the worst in recent history, the album quality sounded almost as fresh as their debut, with a renewed vigor that they were seemingly missing on Magnum Force. Standout cuts included the first single, the DOPE "Everything SI Heltah Skeletal", "Insane", and the reworking of the Goldust entrance theme "That's Incredible". This was a very good thing, and the album reflected their excellent return.
10. Boot Camp Clik- The Last Stand
This is what their debut group album should've sounded like. This was such a fantastic album that it's still considered among the best in the entire discography of BCC and Duck Down. The group sounded right again with Rock's return, and over some thunderous production from 9th Wonder, Da Beatminerz, Pete Rock, and Large Pro, they sounded like they still had something to prove, and we're glad they did.
9. Sean Price- Monkey Barz
This was the album that started Sean P's ascending into modern legend-like status within the game. His official solo debut was highly anticipated and didn't disappoint whatsoever. Lyrically, this was just balls out sick. P's delivery and witty rhyme schemes put him on your favorite rapper's favorite rapper lists. Blistering tracks provided by 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Ayatollah, and PF Cutin among others, this remains among the most rotated albums going today from anyone from Duck Down and the BCC. How bananas were cuts like "Boom Bye Yea", "Onion Head", and "Bye Bye"?
8. Buckshot & 9th Wonder- Chemistry
Buckshot wasn't known for many solo albums, as his BDI Thug wasn't the best thing out the BCC. However, when he got up with producer extraordinaire 9th Wonder, the album that resulted was nothing short of fantastic. Not a long player album necessarily, this was a non-filler album, as everything on the album was bangin' and was among many year-end lists in peoples top three or higher. This became one of the most celebrated releases to emerge out the BCC.
7. Black Moon- Warzone
We thought we would practically never see another Black Moon effort. It had been six years since we had anything from Buck, 5FT, and DJ Evil Dee, when they dropped the seminal Enta Da Stage. When they did return, they were having label issues, much like Smif-N-Wessun did at Nervous. Once it all got cleared, it was on, and MAN were the results thunderous. Their follow-up to Enta Da Stage was Warzone, and after the somewhat mediocre releases the Boot Camp were releasing during this time, this slammed everyone on their asses and reminded people why Black Moon became a part of the east coast's consciousness when the west taking over in '92. There's not a flaw on here..NONE. This is so quintessential BM and still rocks out as crazy as it did in '99.
6. Sean Price- Jesus Price Superstar
With P's second album, Jesus Price Superstar, the legend was growing with him. Although it was tough to follow up his solo debut, Monkey Barz, he did so and did so with serious impact. Primarily handled by 9th and Khrysis in terms of boardwalk, Price shows off his usual taste of tough guy talk with oft-times witty lyricism. Unquestionably one of the coldest albums to emerge in an otherwise docile year in hip-hop in 2007, Price officially became among the nicest emcees that isn't considered mainstream. An album filled with rewindable quotable and searing production, P's legacy was growing and growing.
5. OGC- Da Storm
Perhaps the most underrated of the BCC is the trio known as Origenoo Gunn Clappaz, or OGC. First showing up on Smif-N-Wessun's Dah Shinin' then becoming part of the Fab 5 with Heltah Skeltah, it was clear that Starang Wondah, Top Dogg, and Louisville Sluggah were talented, and with their debut, they proved they can hold their own weight. A banger from start to finish, this doesn't get the acclaim and notoriety it deserves, as these cats put it down over some KNOCKING production from Da Beatminerz. Nobody can dare front on cuts like "Hurricane Starang", "No Fear", and "Elite Fleet". This album simply brought the thunder and the lightning!
4. Heltah Skeletal- Nocturnal
What a big time debut! First appearing on Smif-N-Wessun's Dah Shinin' (much like OGC), the thunderous bass voice that's reminiscent of Flipmode's Lord Have Mercy only even more lyrical stood out along with this other sick lyrical dude the world would come to know as Sean Price. While fully knowing them on the simply fire "Lefleur Leflah Eshskoshka" with OGC as The Fab 5. The anticipation was building when we first heard the street single "Letha Brainz Blo", but it was when we heard "Operation Lockdown" when we knew this album was go hard, and boy did it! From the very ominous intro cut "Here We Come" to the hypnotic "Understand" and the brutal "The Square", this was the awning of hip-hop's newest monstrous tag team.
The final full-length album from Sean P was 2014's insane Mic Tyson. The most highly anticipated album from the BCC at this time, likewise of his career, this met every expectation possible. In the shadows of his mixtape preceding it such as Kimbo Price and Master P, this was vicious, rugged, and incredulously lyrical. Arguably his most cohesive project to date, this album was even more of an elevation from Monkey Barz to Jesus Price Superstar to this album. With production from Khrysis, The Alchemist, and others, this was among the year's most hard-hitting releases, and showed the world why, in spite his proclamation of being "the brokest rapper you know", his star appeal had never been brighter.
3. Sean Price- Mic Tyson
2. Smif-N-Wessun- Dah Shinin'
Many couldn't even comprehend matching the intensity and power that Black Moon's debut dripped of, however two young cats from Brooklyn that impressed us on Enta Da Stage got their shine, and we were completely glad they did. From the jazzy sax loop drop from the opening notes of their seminal classic "Bucktown", we knew were in for something special. Then, the drums hit. INSTANT CLASSIC. It didn't end there by no means, as other singles like "Wreckonize", "Let's Git It On", and "Sound Bwoy Burial" made their debut album a must-have. Proclaimed as one of the hardest albums to emerge from NYC at that time, Tek and Steele earned themselves a following that remains faithful to this day. Although they've released other albums such as the aforementioned Rude Awakening, the slept-on Smif-N-Wessun Reloaded, the unreleased Rawkus album, Still Shining', and their ill collaboration with Pete Rock, Monumental, but this remains their magnum opus. Other cuts like "PNC", "Wipe Ya Mouf", the excellent posse cut "Session At the Doghille", and the haunting sounds of "Hellucination", thus officially establishing a new dent in hip-hop duos.
1. Black Moon- Enta Da Stage
Was there any doubt? This album was considered a huge influence in the reformation in the east coast sound in the early nineties that was dominated by Dr. Dre and Deathrow Records out west. You can literally smell the gun smoke in the air and see chalk outlines in your minds after listening to this album. From the first time we heard "Who Got The Props" and we heard an animated teenager named Buckshot Shorty going for his, we knew this was dope, like real dope, but could they follow this up? The answer was in followed up cuts like "Buck Em Down", "I Gotcha Opin", and "How Many MCs", in which we knew this was the next shit for NYC. The album was riotous, fist pumping, guns in the air hard, and the dusty timbs-sounding production from Da Beatminerz complimented the lyrical assault from Buckshot and cohort 5FT Da Accelerator. Still considered a classic in many circles, this album marked the beginning of the Duck Down/BCC era.
As you can see, BCC is a very important crew in the game. While not as worldwide known as the Wu, they commanded respect just as much them or even another highly under-appreciated crew, D.I.T.C. When it came to hardcore, straight no chaser NYC hip-hop, the BCC were as on top of things as any other faction or talent out there. In the wake of the sudden and saddening passing of Sean P, it would be beyond awesome to have the crew together for one last album in his memory, or even release the much rumored Simply FABulous album with Heltah Skeletal and OGC as The Fab 5. In any event, the BCC remains respected and needs to be mentioned as one of the most influential crews to emerge during the nineties and early millennium. Salute to the BCC. Worldwide Boot Camp Clik til they DOA!
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