Officially, Suspekt formed around 1992, but DJ Prime Suspekt and Lennie had been making demos and recording together since late 1988.It was about mid 92 and the first serious demo "Look like a rapper" was recorded. DJ Prime was also producing another vocalist at the time, Pride, who was part of local group Code 7. After a meeting at a Caveman jam, Prime thought it would be a good idea to get Pride on a track he was working on called "Hope and glory". Pride's vocals fitted the topic of the tune perfectly and Lennie knew there was something there, and shortly after Pride was part of the group.
Pride brought a new stance and purpose to the group and shortly after, the Under Suspicion EP was recorded, produced, and distributed during a European tour which saw dates all ove the UK and Germany, touring with Son of Noise, Red Ninja, Blade, Killa Instinct, Gunshot, and guesting with German crews. After touring for around 2 or 3 years, it became apparent that rap in the UK didnt reap the rewards of its USA cousins and shortly after the group disbanded, with Pride leaving to persue other musical avenues.
Still feeling that there was a point to be proven, the group reformed with Blue Eyes (who needs no introduction!) around a year or so later. The groups subject matter changed, promoting realism in a time when most UK rappers where imitating their USA counterparts, speaking about guns gangs, ghettos and how hard they are, even though the majority of the Uk crews in question lived in ideallic counrtyside villages or lived with well off parents. An EP shortly followed entitled "Bury the bullshit" and while on tour to promote this, once again in Europe, the video for "Blow up" was filmed, recieving airplay on UK, French and German TV.
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Once again, the reality of "lots of time , money and effort equals fuck all" , reared its head, and a final bid for making a name for the group was made. The groups only LP to date "The Underground Strikes Back" was recorded over a period of around 9 months with guest vocals from USA underground veterans The Mystik Journeymen, with DJ Format from Brighton producing a number of the LPs tracks. Pressed by Move records in Germany, the LP was released in 96, and a small UK tour shortly followed, and the LP was a success in Germany and did well in the UK's underground movement, making it sought after in record importer stores. .
The LP tracks were the last racks recorded. The group spilt at the end of 96. UK Rap doesnt pay the bills and the lack of atmosphere at jams and shows was one of the many reasons for the group to disband, but the group still remained friends.
2007, and during a reunion of local old school b-boys, it was decided to reform. Why? This time it wouldn't be for the cash, the fame, or the fight to be the UK's number 1. I t was time to show that a bunch of old fuckers, all mid thirties, could still throwdown, do the business,show the skills and that they coudl still do it. In a time when UK's grime scene is the main sound of the UK's underground, bling blinged out range rovers and bubble butt girl's rule the majority of the American videos. enough was enough. The result? Lennie, Pride, Scenes 14 and DJ Prime all appeared on the first tune made in over 10 years, " Back from the Dead".
The future for the group looks healthy, with the second LP rapidly gaining weight with finished tracks. This time its being done, not because they can still do it. This time its for themselves, being done for the love of real rap music and mainly, its for those who enjoy "real beats, real rhymes and scratching in the chorus" Suspekt recieved a comeback via the Heroes of Uk Hip Hop forum, where the old fans where found lurking, hungry for new material, and are currently using Blades forum as a meeting ground for new fans and to use the forum as a tool to distribute new material, and for that , the group is very grateful..
SUSPEKT 07
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