Andre the Giant, better known as AG of the legendary Diggin’ in the Crates Crew, began his rise to acclaim the day Lord Finesse showed up at his school to challenge any lyricist that dare to battle. AG was recruited by his classmates who told him that Finesse was outside, putting the reputation of the whole school on the line. AG rushed outside, stepping face to face with the Bronx lyrical legend. AG stood up to Finesse, line for line, beat for beat: the rest is the epicenter of hip hop history. After starting with DJ Premier as his DJ, AG was subsequently asked to contribute to Lord Finesse’s LP. AG met Showbiz for the first time during that recording session in Chung King Studios, NYC. The newly formed duo began their rise to hip hop’s legendary status by selling “Soul Clap” out of the trunk of Show’s Acura Legend coupe. Showbiz and AG took the hip hop community by storm with music that was both rugged and soulful, political and introspective. Their first LP, Billboard’s OFF THE RADAR NY CLASSICS, “Runaway Slave", single handedly put the Bronx back on the map and heavily influenced the whole modern East Coast style of rap: a combination of mobster influence, thoughtful political lyricism, deep drum breaks, and soulful use of horns and thick basslines. Their most recognizable track is the Primo Nite Tyme Remix of "Next Level", with the video shoot that shut down Grand Central Station and the instrumental that was featured in a battle scene on Eminem’s biopic “8 Mile”.
AG has emerged as the paradigm of the South Bronx success story. Struggling through inner urban adversity with dignity and resolve, AG is an icon of New York City, stopped on every street corner he passes, given props by his admiring fans and praised that one of his albums is their favorite hip hop album of all time. Wendy Day, an industry veteran, said that “AG is the nicest guy in the industry”. AG’s reputation in the Bronx is more than words, however. He has devoted himself to bringing up young men and women into his world of recording and performing, with the rule that anyone affiliated with his crew must stay in school while they develop their music talents. To accomplish this goal, AG has created INFECTED INTERTAINMENT, LLC.
Infected Records is a record label, artist management firm, and street promotions unit based on the enduring credibility of AG’s prolific contributions to the culture of hip hop. With artists as unique and diverse as Smack DVD legend Party Arty and Reggaeton/R&B rising stars 950 Plus and Lil’ Roze, AG has assembled a cast of devoted and humble, yet hungry and aggressive, artists that parallel his own talents. AG’s own lyrical game is now better than ever. The new track “The Truth (Follow Me Now)”, produced by Lord Finesse, is a classic track chronicling DITC’s rise to fame, a perfect beginning bookmark to his new commitment to the game. Without reinventing himself or adopting corny gimmicks, AG has refreshed his own lyrics in a way sure to astound and satisfy any hip hop fan, from diehard BX homeboys to Dirty downsouth cats, and anyone in between who appreciates bravado backed up with a true message, the wish of rap’s forefathers.
