The only duo to feature in Unsigned Hype that consisted of rapping female twins was Back 2 Back, who appeared in the September 1992 issue of The Source. From Mount Vernon, New York, the group was composed of Aisha and Idrissa Hassan, who had got their start in the industry by dancing for other hip hop groups, like Das EFX, De La Soul and Original Flavor. They then got with TD Hype, a production company that had worked with previous Unsigned Hype recipients Top Quality and DMX. Back 2 Back got featured from their two-song demo tape, which consisted of the "fat joints" "Don't Let It Get to Your Head" and "Back to Back", both produced by Tony "Tone Capone" Dofat (who would go on to experience much success with the help of Sean Combs). Though female rappers, the writer of the Unsigned Hype article says that their "flow definitely has some of that distinct Pete Rock & CL Smooth flavor to it", which is most likely due to the fact they are both from Mount Vernon.
An unsigned hype update a few months later (The Source January 1993) notes that Back 2 Back signed to RCA in October 1992, only one month after they appeared in The Source, with their first single expected in "early spring '93". However, this single never came out and the group never released anything commercially. Another Unsigned Hype retrospective released in 1998 (The Source January 1998) notes that the group "haven't been heard from since" signing to RCA. A mysterious disappearance from a group I can't find any information about besides their Source appearances.
Another one I wanted to hear. Apparently Pete Rock did some production for them before they disappeared back into obscurity but none of those tracks are out there at the moment. I don't know if you were planning to get back into this but I'm impressed with the work you put into the site, especially the Unsigned Hype revisits. I was hoping that a lot of these demos might surface online at some point, and while some of them have, it's not enough for my tastes. Anyway, just wanted to give you props for the effort and research you've done. I'm sure some of the artists who never managed to become household names here are happy that 25 years later, people are wanting to hear their music.
ReplyDeleteYo, I appreciate your comment. I def wouldn't be surprised about the Pete Rock collaboration, especially because they were coming from the same area. I really hope that these demos from the Unsigned Hype artists get released eventually. I have been meaning to get back into writing here for a while now and feel like I'm going to start again soon. Big thanks for your feedback. Peace
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