On this day in Hip-Hop history, the duo KMD released their debut LP, Mr. Hood. Although it may not have had much commercial success, Mr. Hood ushered in the career of one of Hip-Hop’s most respected figures, MF DOOM.
Mr. Hood came at a time in Hip-Hop culture when consciousness and positive Afrocentric messages were prominent in the majority of popular rap music. The Nubian Renaissance, taking place in Hip-Hop at the time, birthed artists like Queen Latifah, Brand Nubian, and The Jungle Brothers.
Lyrically, Mr. Hood‘s subject matter is politically charged while retaining its youthful nature. Zev Love X and Onyx, the Birthstone Kid, were able to satirize and intellectually dissect oppressive American culture and weave it seamlessly into their rhymes.
DJ Subroc’s production is also meritorious. The sampling techniques used to turn already-composed pieces into separate instruments meshed perfectly with the group’s style and influenced generations of producers to come. Even the “Mr. Hood” character that appears throughout the album was sampled clips from a language-learning tape.
Released by Elektra Records, the album’s commercial success does not reflect its importance. KMD and Mr. Hood did a lot for the culture in promoting righteousness. Their message inspired not only fellow artists but also a community to be conscious of their culture and grow as a people against a system built against them. Take some time to listen to the beginning of the careers of some of Hip-Hop’s most influential underground artists.
Salute to DOOM(RIP) and his brother DJ Subroc(RIP) for giving fans this important piece of Hip Hop history!