Gravediggaz
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Gravediggaz is/was a rap group from New York City. The group was formed out of dissatisfaction with the record industry, in particular Tommy Boy Records.
The group was initially known from their debut album 6 Feet Deep for their mix of dark humor with esoteric references to the Five Percent Nation of Gods and Earths. Their breakthrough hits were "diary of a Madman" and "1-800 Suicide". In Europe, they released the album under a different title (Niggamortis) with a bonus track entitled "Pass the Shovel".
They released a collaborative EP with UK trip hop artist Tricky. Prince Paul did not appear on this CD.
With their second album, The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, the social messages of the Five Percent teachings foregrounded the humor. The album was produced by many of Rza's Wu Fam protegés. Prince Paul also played a considerably smaller role in the making of this album.
Their third album, Nightmare in A Minor only featured two of the original members, Grym Reaper and Frukwan. This album focused on Grym Reaper's struggle with cancer and the more apocalyptic themes within the Five Percent teachings. Even though Rza did not appear on this album at all, some Wu Fam members such as True Master, 4th Disciple and Berretta 9 are present. The album was mostly produced by Grym and Frukwan themselves.
There have been rumors of a new Gravediggaz project with new members but nothing has become of this.
Group Members
Grym Reaper aka Too Poetic - died of cancer
Gatekeeper aka Frukwan from Stetsasonic
Undertaker aka Prince Paul from Stetsasonic- did not appear after The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel
Rzarectah aka Rza from Wu Tang Clan- did not appear after The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel
Discography
- 6 Feet Deep, 1994
- The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, 1997
- Scenes from the Graveyard, 1998
- Nightmare in A-Minor, 2002
External links
- Gravediggaz fansite (http://www2.arnes.si/~ljzss46/gmain.html)