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Arsonists

 
Artist: Arsonists
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Group Members:

Swel Boogie, Jise One, Freestyle, D-Stroy, Q-Unique

Similar Artists:

Mos Def, Shabazz the Disciple, Brand Nubian

Formal Connection With:

Bushwick Bomb Squad
  • Formed: 1993
  • Genres: Rap
  • Representative Albums: "As the World Burns," "Date of Birth"

Biography

Originally going under the name Bushwick Bomb Squad since their formation in 1993, members Q-Unique, D-stroy, Freestyle, Swel Boogie, and Jise One played around in the underground hip-hop field for a short duration before signing to the independent Fondle 'Em Records and changing their moniker to the Arsonists. With three 12" singles that followed -- one of which released on a division of Geffen Records -- a deal on Matador followed in 1999. Their debut full-length, As the World Burns, was released later on that year. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Arsonists (rap group)
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"The Arsonists" redirects here. For otheruses, see Arsonists (disambiguation).
Arsonists
Also known as Bushwick Bomb Squad
Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genre(s) Hip hop
Years active 1993–present
Label(s) Fondle 'Em, Matador
Members
Jise One
Q-Unique
Swel Boogie
Former members
Ching Rock
D-Stroy
Freestyle
Kinetic Energy
Kriminal Krash

The Arsonists are an underground hip hop group. Their album, As the World Burns (1999), reached #78 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[1] and yielded the single "Pyromaniax", which went to #43 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.[2]

Contents

History

The group formed with five members in 1993 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York with the name Bushwick Bomb Squad. The main members were Q-Unique, D-Stroy, Freestyle, Swel Boogie and Jise One, although the number of members eventually grew to eight. Q-Unique was a member of New York City's well-known breakdancing crew, the Rock Steady Crew.[3] The group released the single, "The Session", in 1996, which found airplay on New York radio stations and brought offers from record labels.[4] They signed with the independent label Fondle 'Em Records and changed their name to the Arsonists. They released their debut album, As the World Burns, in 1999 on Matador Records, an indie rock label that ventured into hip hop music for the release.[5] The album received critical acclaim, but didn't achieve mainstream commercial success; it reached #78 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[4][1] They appeared on the digital hardcore band Atari Teenage Riot's final album 60 Second Wipeout (1999) that year. The group went from five members, down to three: Q-Unique, Jise One and Swel Boogie, for their follow-up album, Date of Birth (2001).[4] With their live performances, the group is known to be very varied in their rap style, drawing on many old school hip hop and east coast hip hop influences. Kansas City's alternative weekly newspaper, The Pitch, described them as "one of the best live bands in hip-hop" in 2001.[6]

Discography

Albums

  • As the World Burns (1999), Matador
  • Date of Birth (2001), Matador

Singles

  • "The Session" (1996)
  • "Blaze/Geembo's Theme/Flashback" (1998), Fondle 'Em
  • "Backdraft" (1999), Matador
  • "Pyromaniax" (1999), Matador
  • "Backdraft/Halloween II" (1999), Matador
  • "As the World Burns" (1999), Matador- instrumental limited edition

References

  1. ^ a b Billboard Albums. Allmusic.
  2. ^ Billboard Singles. Allmusic.
  3. ^ McCabe, Bret (June 28, 2001). "Fire Starters". Dallas Observer. Retrieved on February 23, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Waggoner, Eric (June 21, 2001). "Hot Stuff". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved on February 23, 2009.
  5. ^ Gillin, Eric (August 30, 1999). "Arsonists Light Up Bowery". Rolling Stone. Retrieved on February 23, 2009.
  6. ^ Hensley, J.J. (April 27, 2000). "The Arsonists/DVS Mindz/Seven Fold Symphony/Mac Lethal & Approach". The Pitch. Retrieved on February 23, 2009.

External links

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