Da Youngstas
| Da Youngsta's | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Illy Funkstaz |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop, Hip hop, Hardcore hip hop |
| Years active |
1991–2001 2007 -present |
| Labels | Pop Art Records East West America/Atlantic Records |
| Associated acts | Steady B , Cool C, Three Times Dope |
| Members | Taji Goodman Quran Goodman Tarik Dawson |
1991–2001
Da Youngsta's are a rap group that consisted of brothers Taji "Taj Mahal" (Born February 1977) and Qu'ran "Q-Ball" Goodman (Born March 1978) and their cousin Tarik "Reek Geez" Dawson (Born February 1976). Da Youngsta's was more notable to the hip-hop world due to them penning their own lyrics and great production.Their music featured production from hip hop legends Pete Rock, The Beatnuts, Marley Marl, K-Def and DJ Premier.
The group released four albums in four years, experiencing its greatest success with 1993's The Aftermath. They briefly feuded with fellow teen rap group Kris Kross over the fact, unlike the more famous Atlanta duo, they wrote their own rhymes.
As of September 2016, all 3 original members are currently working on their 5th studio album "The Iconz"
In 1991, a upcoming 19-year old rapper from West Philly named Emanuel "Mentally Gifted" Parks of The Hill-Top Hustlers was working on some songs for a possible project, one of his tracks that he was working on was called "Somethin 4 Da Youngstas". Parks felt the song needed a more younger vibe, so he asked his producer's (Lawrence L.G Goodman) son, Qu'ran (13), to join the song, later Taji (14) joined then Tarik (15) joined, Parks was so impressed with the song, he let them have it as their demo, thus Da Youngsta was born. It was shopped around and East West Records picked the demo up.
Somethin 4 Da Youngsta's release, Pass Da Mic, 1992 appearances
On February 6, the single of the self-titled album came out. The single itself failed to chart but is still consider a classic from fans across the world. The video consists of Da Youngstas rapping about their lives to bored kids at their houses, and basically saying they're not alone. The album came out March 10, 1992, the same day Kris Kross released their first album, but the album failed to chart. The Whole album was produced by L.G and written by L.G and Mentally Gifted.
On June 25, their 2nd single "Pass Da Mic" did better than their first try and charted to #10 on the Hot Rap Singles. The music video to this was also a highly requested watch on Video Music Box, coming in at #3, the music video used the remixed version done by Pete Rock and is known that if the original was used, it wouldn't chart as well. Taji digs through the ground and finding a mic, Qu'ran then snatches it and raps and they do their verses. Mentally Gifted features on this track as well. Qu'ran's vocals were also famously sampled in the popular Gang Starr song "Mass Appeal".
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