Respect Due: The SD50s

Leave your brain stimulated
Shazzy: "Keep it Flowin'"
from Attitude: A Hip-Hop RAPsody, 1990
Leaders of the New School: "The International Zone Coaster"
from Future Without a Past, 1991
Grand Puba: "Honey Don't Front"
from Reel to Reel, 1992
Del the Funky Homosapien: "Treats for the Kiddies"
from No Need For Alarm, 1994
Kurious: "Baby Bust It (feat MF Grimm)"
from A Constipated Monkey, 1994

With Hard 2 Obtain's "Ism & Blues" in steady rotation this week, I've been reflecting on the major contributions to hip-hop that the Stimulated Dummies production crew has made--seems that their impact on the music has been greater than the length of their discography may suggest. Like the great Prince Paul, the SD50s introduced new sounds into the sampling repertoire of hip-hop: twangy guitars, blues, psychedelic rock, and extended jazz loops to name a few. The production trio consisted of Dante Ross, Geeby Dajani, and John Gamble, and the majority of their work appeared on early- to mid-90s releases. While the team is best known for the work with Brand Nubian, KMD, 3rd Bass, and mainstream Everlast success, their other beatsmithing work should not go unnoticed.

The current incarnation of the Stimulated Dummies is less one member (Geebe Dajani has since parted ways), but arguably stronger than ever. Their record imprint "Stimulated Records," is currently the home to Sadat X, The Dwellas, and more. For a more complete history of the SD50s, check out the Stimulated Records website, click on "Artists", and then click "Stimulated Dummies." It includes a detailed timeline that tracks Dante's rise through record label bureaucracy, the legendary signing of De La Soul, Brand Nubian, LONS, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and more...definitely worth reading, and far more detailed than anything I could write.