KMD

The crew known as K.M.D. first came to be known in 1989 as affiliates of Def Jam Recordings' highly talented trio Third Bass, an affiliation that would one day prove its irony. K.M.D. member Zevlove X contributed the concept and a compelling verse on the classic Third Bass jam, "The Gas Face." The crew composed primarily of Zevlove and DJ Sub-Roc kept close ties with emerging talents Third Bass for a couple of years, then went on to record their debut Mr. Hood on Elektra Records in 1991. On Mr. Hood, K.M.D combined lighthearted humor with divisive political rhetoric, but the overall sentiment was one of youthful positivity. The album featured production from the Stimulated Dummies and a guest spot from Brand Nubian. "Peach Fuzz," a tale of young romance, rippled momentarily, but the crew could not capitalize on their connections to 3rd Bass (even with a "Gas Face" reprise entitled "The Gasface Refill").

Two years later in 1993, tragedy struck the group after DJ Sub-Roc was hit by a car and fatally injured. Devastated and full of bewildered rage, Zevlove and the rest of his crew released the controversial Black Bastards in 1994. The tragic death of Sub-Roc in combination with a newfound black nationalist ire produced a blatant and violent record. However, it was the album cover's artwork depicting a cartoonish Sambo-like character hanging from a gallows that caused the hubbub. The album was pulled from many record stores. The crew that got its start with Caucasian sensations 3rd Bass now espoused a more militant racial attitude. Despite some inventive sampling including the use of Jody Watley's "I'm Looking for a New Love," the album's frustrated angst did not catch on. Hip-hop at the time was not in need of a savior, what with instant classics appearing fairly regularly. K.M.D's heartfelt and political expressions would go mostly unnoticed. ~ Michael Di Bella, Rovi