Lord Finesse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lord Finesse
Image:Lordfinesse.jpg
Background information
Birth name	Robert Hall
Origin	The Bronx, New York
Genre(s)	Hip Hop
Years active	1989–present
Label(s)	Wild Pitch Records Giant Records Penalty Records Fat Beats

Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew.

[edit] Recording career

In 1989, Finesse and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth signed to Wild Pitch Records, home to other popular Hip Hop artists like Gang Starr, Main Source, Chill Rob G, Percee P, and O.C.. In 1990, the duo released their debut album Funky Technician. The album featured production from future star beat-makers DJ Premier, Diamond D and Showbiz. Soon after, Finesse became the leader of the popular New York underground crew D.I.T.C., an acronym for 'Diggin In The Crates'. Future members included Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and the late Big L.

Finesse returned as a solo artist in late 1991 with his sophomore effort, Return of the Funky Man. The album featured guest appearances from Percee P and AG. The album's title track peaked at #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. In 1994, Finesse made a production appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.'s classic debut Ready to Die, on the track "Suicidal Thoughts". In 1995, he produced a portion of Big L's debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, including the single '"M.V.P.". He finally returned as an artist in 1996 with the acclaimed album The Awakening. Finesse produced the entire album himself, and enlisted a large number of guests, including O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, and Kid Capri. The underground single "Actual Facts", featuring Sadat X, Grand Puba and Large Professor, was included as a hidden track on the album.

Finesse hasn't released a studio album since this effort, but has continued his production work. In 1997, he produced the title track to O.C.'s acclaimed effort Jewelz. Finesse released a mixtape called Diggin' On Blue in 1999. Later in the year, he produced the track "The Message" on Dr. Dre's seminal 2001 album. Finesse is currently working on a Funky Technician remix project, as well as a new D.I.T.C. album. Along with these projects, he and DJ Premier are working on a posthumous Big L album.

[edit] Discography

Album cover	Album information
	Funky Technician Released: 1990 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #93 Singles: "Baby, You Nasty"/"Track the Movement", "Funky Technician"/"Bad Mutha", "Stricly for the Ladies"/"Back to Back Rhyming"
	Return of the Funky Man Released: January 28, 1992 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #95 Singles: "Return of the Funky Man"/"Fuck Em", "Party Over Here"/"Save That Shit"
	The Awakening Released: February 20, 1996 Billboard 200 chart position: - R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #36 Singles: "Hip 2 Da Game"/"No Gimmicks", "Gameplan"/"Actual Facts"

[edit] External links

Official Site - Permanently offline
discogs.com

v • d • e Diggin' in the Crates Crew
Core Members
Lord Finesse \| Showbiz and A.G. \| Diamond D \| Fat Joe \| O.C. \| Buckwild \| Big L
Albums
Funky Technician \| Return of the Funky Man \| Runaway Slave \| Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop \| Represent \| Word...Life \| Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous \| Goodfellas \| Jealous One's Envy \| The Awakening \| Jewelz \| Hatred, Passions and Infedility \| Full Scale \| Don Cartagena \| The Dirty Version \| D.I.T.C. \| The Big Picture \| Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) \| Bon Appetit \| Loyalty \| Grown Man Talk \| The Unseen Picture \| Starchild \| All or Nothing \| Street Talk \| Smoke and Mirrors \| The Diamond Mine \| The Archives 1996-2000 \| Get Dirty Radio \| Me, Myself & I \| Hidden Gems