D.I.T.C. | |
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Origin | New York, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Hip Hop |
Years active | 1990–present |
Labels | ZYZ Records, Tommy Boy |
Associated acts | Big Pun |
Members |
Buckwild Diamond D Fat Joe Lord Finesse O.C. Showbiz and A.G. |
Past members | Big L (deceased) |
The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is an American hip hop collective formed in 1990 in New York City. The collective's name derives from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. The collective is composed of Big L, Lord Finesse, Diamond D, O.C., Fat Joe, Buckwild, Showbiz and A.G.. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, having often collaborated with undiscovered talents and underground artists alongside the most commercial of rappers.
Lord Finesse (born Robert Hall) is a rapper-turned-producer who has produced tracks for The Notorious B.I.G. (1997's Ready to Die) and Dr. Dre (1999's The Chronic). As a young MC, he would travel to any borough in New York to battle their best rapper and win. He shopped his demo to various record labels and eventually dropped the first of several records, 1990's Funky Technician. The record had a few tracks produced by his longtime friend Diamond (formerly Diamond D), a former member of the rap group Ultimate Force. One of the oldest members in the D.I.T.C. crew, Diamond got his start in the hip hop industry DJing for Jazzy Jay of the Zulu Nation in 1979. In the mid-'80s, he was turntable scratching at late-night park parties, often competing with area top DJs (with future cohort Showbiz, being one of his rivals.) In 1992, this DJ, then a producer, showcased New York City's underground talent and his rap skills on his classic debut Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.