No Half

No Half was a hip-hop duo that consisted of Mark Sexx (born Mark Skeete) and Kavon Shah (born Shawn Tyrone). They merged social commentary hardcore with explicit party rap.

In 1990, the duo released their only album "Wake Your Daughter Up" which peaked at #73 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their first single "Strictly Rated X, Y'All" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

The second single "Half" (featuring Ed Lover) peaked at #47 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The last single from the album "Fake Hair Wearin'" (featuring the 2 Live Crew) failed to make any impact on the Billboard charts at all.

No Half released two more singles: "Payback (Is a Mutha)" in 1993 and "No Brothas Allowed" in 1994 before fading into obscurity.

Kavon Shah worked with the Soul Society who remixed songs for artists such as En Vogue, Lil' Kim, Busta Rhymes, Noreaga, Ray J., Syleena Johnson, Old Dirty Bastard, Tweet and Yolanda Adams.

Kavon has also written songs for Public Enemy. Mark Sexx also wrote and produced songs during the early '90s.

To see the music video for "Half," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VBuAqx_rw

To see the music video for "Fake Hair Wearin'," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FRZ_aZFClQ

To see the music video for "No Bruthas Allowed," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWhQVTZKzG8

Nonchalant

Nonchalant (born Tanya Pointer on October 18, 1970 in Washington, D.C.) was a female rapper\songwriter that was signed to MCA Records.

In 1996, Nonchalant released her debut single, "5 O'Clock" which peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #33 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart and #8 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. In the U.K., the song managed to peak at #44 on the U.K. Singles chart.

In March of that same year, she released her debut album, "Until the Day" which peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The title song managed to peak at #25 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and #88 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks. After that, Nonchalant was featured on the "Dangerous Ground" movie soundtrack with female rappers MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and Bahamadia with the track, "Keep on Pushin'."

In 1998, Nonchalant released the single, "Take It There" which peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks. She made her last appearance on the "Half Baked" movie soundtrack with the song, "Flyin'" before fading into obscurity.

To see the music video for "5 O'Clock," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQy1knJmGXg

To see the music video for "Until The Day," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbQM9WFhin0

To see the music video for "Take It There," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68_KMl66ITg
 

Craig Mack

Craig Mack (born on May 10, 1971 in Trenton, New Jersey) was a hip-hop rapper from the '90s.

As a teenager, Craig released his first single under the name "MC EZ" in 1988, but not a lot of success came out of it.

While working as a go-fer for hip-hop group EPMD, he hooked up with Sean "Puffy" Combs who offered him a spot on a remix version of Mary J. Blige's song "You Don't Have To Worry." Impressed with Craig's rapping skills, Puff Daddy signed him to a record deal with his record label, Bad Boy Entertainment.

In July of 1994, Craig released his debut single "Flava in Ya Ear" which became a hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 (making it his only highest appearance on the Hot 100), #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 28 weeks) and topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. It was also certified Platinum by the RIAA & sold 1,000,000 copies in the United States.

The remix version of "Flava in Ya Ear" featured late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage & Busta Rhymes. The song was even nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Solo Performance."

On September 20, 1994, Craig released his debut album "Project Funk da World" which peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.

Although the album received good commercial feedback, it was overshadowed by the huge success of the Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album "Ready to Die" (which was also released in September of that same year as well).

The follow-up single from the album "Get Down" peaked at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart and Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #17 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks).

The last single released from the album "Making Moves With Puff" failed to make any impact on the charts at all. During the '90s, Craig was featured on remixes by artists such as Veronica, Brownstone, Boyz II Men and Gina Thompson. He was also featured on the Sound of Blackness' song "Spirit."

On June 24, 1997, Craig released his sophomore album "Operation: Get Down" which peaked at #46 on the Billboard 200 and #17 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart. Unlike his debut album, the album didn't generate a lot of success.

The only single from the album to make the charts was "What I Need" which managed to peak at #16 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #55 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart (staying on the chart for 13 weeks). 

After his second album flopped, Craig had left Bad Boy Records and his popularity began fading away.

In 2002, it was announced that he was working on a third album which was supposed to be released in 2007, but apparently, those plans never materialized (although he did release a single in 2006 called "Mack Tonight.") Craig would later leave the music scene for the next few years.

In 2012, a video was leaked on YouTube, saying that Craig had joined a Christian ministry in Walterboro, South Carolina. In November of that same year, Beazylife Distribution released a new Craig Mack mixtape called "Operation Why2K? – Hosted by B-Eazy" through music website, DatPiff.com.

In 2017, Craig released his last album "The Mack World Sessions." The album contains 18 tracks that were recorded between 2000 and 2006.

Sadly on March 12, 2018, Craig Mack died from heart failure at a hospital near his residence in Walterboro, South Carolina. He was 47 years old.

Following his death, rapper Erick Sermon had written on Twitter that he was completing work on Craig Mack's new album. It's currently unknown whether or not the album will be released posthumously.

Rest in Peace, Craig Mack. You will be missed.

To see the music video for "Flava in Ya Ear," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNFqMx0gY7I

To see the music video of the remixed version of "Flava in Ya Ear," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMbELEUfmIA

To see the music video for "Get Down," go to:
https://vimeo.com/155333072

To see the music video for "Making Moves with Puff," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7oqzZQGUa8

To see the music video for "What I Need," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKShV0dpNR8

To see the music video of the remixed version of "What I Need," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NniiEf9JouU




[Updated on 03\13\2018]

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz

Lord Tariq (born Sean Hamilton) & Peter Gunz (born Peter Pankley) were a hip-hop\rap duo from the 90s.

Before becoming a duo, they were in a group called Gunrunners. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz made an appearance on Whodini's 1996 album "Six" on the track "Can't Get Enough" and co-wrote two other tracks on the album.

In 1998, the duo released their only album, "Make it Reign" on Columbia Records. The album peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. It featured collaborations with rappers such as Fat Joe, Sticky Fingaz, Kurupt, Cam'ron, and the late Big Pun.

The first single, "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1998 and #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 41 weeks and topped Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart, becoming their biggest and only hit to date.

The song also peaked at #10 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It also peaked at #21 on the U.K. Singles chart and #6 on the Canadian Singles chart. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA, selling over 1 million copies.

The follow-up single, "We Will Ball" peaked at #49 on Billboard's Hot R&B Airplay chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks. The duo appeared on the remix to Mariah Carey's song, "My All/Stay Awhile" during that same year. In 1999, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz broke up without releasing a sophomore album.

In 2004, Lord Tariq released his solo album "The Barcode" on the Team Saga Entertainment record label. It's unknown how or if the album was successful. Peter Gunz's son, Cory is a rapper who is currently signed to Young Money Entertainment.

To follow Peter Gunz on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/IamPeterGunz

To see the music video for "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdVefG2xuKo

To see the music video for "We Will Ball," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7haOnZIicc


[updated on 06/20/13]

Luniz

Luniz were a rap duo from Oakland, California that consisted of friends Jerold "Yuckmouth" Ellis and Garrick "Knumskull" Husband that have known each other since junior high school. Their original name was Luni Tunz. They gained their first taste of fame when they appeared on Dru Down's "Explicit Game" album.

In 1994, they released the EP, "(Formally Known As The LuniTunes)" on C-Note Records. It's unknown how or if the EP was successful.

In 1995, Luniz released their debut album, "Operation Stackola" on Noo Trybe Records. The album peaked at #20 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their first single, "I Got 5 on It" became a hit for the duo, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1995 and #4 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in August of 1995. The song was also successful internationally, even topping the charts in the Netherlands.

The song sampled Club Nouveau's "Why You Treat Me So Bad," Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and Auto Two's "Top Billin'." It also featured vocals from Club Nouveau member, Michael Marshall. The success of "I Got 5 on It" helped make Luniz's debut album become their best-selling album.

The follow-up single, "Playa Hata" peaked at #51 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart and #13 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart.

In 1997, Luniz released their sophomore album, "Lunitik Muzik" which peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album sold roughly 500,000 copies and had appearances from rappers such as  Redman, Too Short and E-40. The album failed to produce any hit singles at all.

In 2002, Luniz released their last album to date, "Silver & Black" which peaked at #53 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart, but once again, it failed to produce any hit singles at all.

Since then, Yukmouth has released seven solo albums and is the CEO of Smoke-a-Lot Records and Knumskull has released two solo albums. According to research, the duo are "somewhat beefing" & "not getting along right now" and according to Knumskull, if the duo comes together to do something, it'll be for the money.

To see the music video for "I Got 5 On It," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSC9cgvtkRs

To see the music video for "Playa Hata," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiOBTLD76Rw


[Updated on 04\30\2016]

Highland Place Mobsters

The Highland Place Mobsters were an R&B\rap group that was led by music producer Dallas Austin (who has worked with Boyz II Men, TLC, Another Bad Creation, and many more) along with singers Theophilus Glass & Derrick Culbreath and rapper Melvin Davis.

In 1992, the group released their only album on LaFace Records "1746DCGA30035" which peaked at #72 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. 

During that same year, Dallas formed Rowdy Records with music producer L.A. Reid even though he left the label the following year.

The first single "Let's Get Naked" peaked at #55 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks, becoming their highest chart appearance to date.

The follow-up single "Take a Dip" peaked at #77 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

After that, Dallas Austin went on to be a full-time music producer where he continues to work today. The other members did various vocal and production work, but it's unknown what they are up to today.

To see the music video for "Let's Get Naked," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeU_xxtNa9c

To see a fan-made video for "Take a Dip," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP7OfqeIJQI

To see the music video for "N.A.K.E.D." (from their debut album), go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcceMiWY0mE

Skee Lo

Skee Lo (born Antoine Roundtree born on March 5, 1973 in Poughkeepsie, New York) is a male hip-hop rapper that is well known for being a "one-hit wonder" in 1995.

He moved to Riverside, California when he was 9 years old and his nickname is derived from his childhood where he was a Skee-Ball champion in his neighborhood.

In June of 1995, Skee Lo released his debut album, "I Wish" on Scotti Bros. Records, which peaked at #53 on the Billboard 200 and #37 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The title song became a hit, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #33 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song has become Skee Lo's only hit song to date.

The success and popularity of the single led the album to be certified Gold by the RIAA on November 16, 1995 with sales of 500,000 copies.

It was nominated for "Best Rap Solo Performance" at the 1996 Grammy Awards, but lost to Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise." Blender Magazine listed the song at #359 on its list of "Greatest Songs Since You Were Born."

The follow-up single, "Top of the Stairs" peaked at #73 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in January of 1996, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. The song was featured on the "Money Train" movie soundtrack.

Two more singles, "Superman" and "Holdin' On" were released, but didn't appear to make the charts at all.

During 1996,  Skee Lo became a VJ for MTV's "The Beach House" and "The Grind." He also appeared on television shows such as "Baywatch Nights," "Dangerous Minds," and "Goode Behavior."

Skee-Lo was featured on the "Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks" compliation album with his cover version of "The Tale of Mr. Morton." He also co-wrote Youngstown's song, "I'll Be Your Everything" which was featured on the "Inspector Gadget" movie soundtrack.

In 2000, Skee Lo released his sophomore album, "I Can't Stop" which failed to make much impact on the charts at all.

Today, he continues to be active in the music business and in 2012, he made a guest appearance on rapper\singer\songwriter\producer Deuce's song, "Now You See My Life."

To see the music video for "I Wish," go to:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2jgye_skee-lo-i-wish_music

To see the music video for "Top of the Stairs," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9K5Lh99pYI

To see the music video for "Holdin' On," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_93Xacu2IsU

To see a fan-made video for "Superman," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhqISjpYoT4

Questionmark Asylum

Questionmark Asylum was a rap group from Washington, DC that consisted of members Kenny "Mistafiss" Jones, Marcell "Rostaswan" Gadson, Dominick "Digge Dom" Warren and Douglas "Ding Ding" Francis.

In 1995, the group released their only album entitled"The Album" on RCA Records which peaked at #50 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album "Hey Lookaway" peaked at #104 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #9 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart and #56 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

The follow-up single "Get With You\I'd Rather Be With You" peaked at #43 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart and #93 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 2 weeks.

After that, it seems as if Questionmark Asylum has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for "Hey Lookaway," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAnjHkJMBlA

To see the music video for "Get With You," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4cf7Jm5nK8

[updated on 04\14\2016]

Queen Pen

Queen Pen (born Lynise Walters in 1972 in Harlem, New York) was a female rapper from the 90s. She became a teen mom when she was 15 years old after giving birth to her son, Donlynn.

By the time she was 17 years old, Queen Pen gave birth to her second son, Quintin. She studied dance and drama at Erasmus Hall High School for the Performing Arts. In order to make extra money, Queen Pen recorded demos.

Queen Pen became a protégé of record producer and former Blackstreet member, Teddy Riley during that time. She was a featured rapper on Blackstreet's hit song, "No Diggity" along with rapper Dr. Dre. She was signed to Teddy's label, Lil' Man Records.

In 1997, she released her debut solo album, "My Melody" which peaked at #78 on the Billboard 200, #13 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart, and topped Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

The first single, "Man Behind the Music" featuring Teddy Riley, peaked at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1998, #7 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart, #21 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #47 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in January of 1998, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The second single from the album, "All My Love" featuring Blackstreet member Eric Williams, peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February of 1998, #11 on Billboard's Rap Singles chart, #14 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart, and #17 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in February of 1998, staying on the chart for 20 weeks, becoming Queen Pen's only hit song to date.

The third single from the album, "Party Ain't a Party" featuring Teddy Riley, Nutta Butta, Markell, and Jesse West, peaked at #74 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June of 1998, #32 on Billboard's Rap Singles and Rhythmic Top 40 charts, and #26 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in September of 1998, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The last single from the album, "It's True" missed the charts in the U.S., but in the U.K., the song managed to peak at #24 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Queen Pen earned herself a Soul Train nomination for "Best New Artist" in 1998.

She spoke in group homes, juvenile prisons, inner city schools, and facilities for young moms which has gotten her recognition from the mayor of Jersey City, assemblymen in Harlem & Brooklyn, and several other high risk teen organizations.

In 1999, Queen Pen went on hiatus for three years after giving birth to her third child, a daughter named Lyric.

In 2001, Queen Pen released her second and last album to date, "Conversations with Queen" on Motown Records.

The album managed to peak at #134 on the Billboard 200 and #31 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The only singles released from the album, "Ghetto Divorce" and "I Got Cha" failed to make the charts at all.

After leaving Motown, Queen Pen released her first book of short stories called "Situations" which sold over 70,000 copies. The success of her first book led to her being signed with Atrium\Simon & Schuster.

In 2006, Queen Pen's second book, "Blossom" was released. During that same year, Queen Pen was working on her third album, but it looks like it was never released.

In 2011, she released the first sections of her upcoming book, "Crossroads" on her official website. She is also working on the follow-up for her book "Blossom."

Today, Queen Pen continues to work as a novelist, is the mother of five, and operates a program called High Risk Teen Programs in Harlem and Brooklyn, New York.

Her oldest son, Donlynn is a rapper who uses the stage name "Nefu Da Don" and her daughter, Lyric remixes songs and writes her own lyrics under the name "Lyriic Staar."

To see Queen Pen's official website, go to:
http://queenpenmusic.com/

To see the music video for "Man Behind the Music," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVlVi-sm-2M

To see the music video for "All My Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQJIXRELUPc

To see the music video for "Party Ain't a Party," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF95dXw_1_c

To see the music video for "It's True," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvlwjGLusIE

To see the music video for "I Got Cha," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxpG8ROZ2Hc