Two Kings in a Cipher
Two Kings in A Cipher | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | T.K.O. |
| Origin | Brooklyn, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1988-1993 |
| Labels | Bahia, RCA |
| Associated acts | Public Enemy, Brand Nubian, X Clan, and A Tribe Called Quest |
| Members | Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence |
Two Kings in A Cipher[1][2] was an American hip hop duo formed in Washington, DC on the campus of Howard University in 1988. Originating out of New York, the group consisted of Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie[1] from Brooklyn and Ron Amen-Ra Lawrence[1] from Queens.[3]
Their DJ, Tone Fresh (The Executioner) joined the group a few months later.
In 1990, Lawrence and Angelettie signed a recording contract with Bahia Entertainment, RCA,[1][4][5] and released their debut single, Movin' On 'Em.
In 1991, the duo released their album From Pyramids to Projects[1][6] and received critical acclaim.
A few years later, both D-Dot and Amen-RA were recruited to join Bad Boy Entertainment's production team called The Hitmen[7][8] with fellow Howard University alumnus Sean "Diddy" Combs.
History[edit]
D.O.P. (Deliver of Prophecy) (Deric Angelettie) and Amen-Ra (Ron Amen Ra Lawrence) met in 1986 on the campus of Howard University. Both were talented MC’s and aspired to in the entertainment industry. In late1988, after hearing D.O.P. rap on campus, Ron approached Deric about forming a rap group. Deric agreed and the two began recording demos in Ron’s dorm room at Slowe Hall (Howard University). Ron came up with the name “Two Kings In A Cipher” aka TKO.
Growing up in East Elmhurst, Queens, Lawrence took on the name, Ronnie Tuff and was rapping in crews with childhood friends, Hurby Azor , Christopher Reid ("Kid") and Christopher Martin (“Play") working alongside their DJ, Mark "DJ Wiz" Eastmond.[9][10] Lawrence had previously been a part of a hip-hop group called The Turnout Brothers. He later joined the Superlovers and recorded a song called The Lovers Law which was released in 1984 and “Let The Drummer Get Ill”, a song that appeared on the album Hurby’s Machine (The House That Rap Built) released in 1987.
D.O.P had been rapping since his childhood. He was a part of neighborhood crews like “The Ultra Death-Defying MC’s” with childhood friend DJ Clark Kent and “Ebony & Ivory”. After arriving at Howard in 1986, his dreams of rapping were slowing fading. He would rap and battle other mc’s on campus for fun. One day Lawrence heard Angelettie rapping and approached him about forming a group.
After recording a three song demo, the two were introduced to A. Haqq Islam, a Howard University alumnus who was working with legendary producers and songwriters, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff of the famed record label, Philadelphia International Records. Haqq agreed to manage the duo and began shopping their demo to record companies in New York City.
In 1989, the two took a leave of absence from Howard to pursue their rap careers. Instead of going back to NYC where the music scene was dominant, they decided to stay in DC. In 1990, Haqq secured a recording deal for the group with Bahia Entertainment, a subsidiary of RCA Records. Bahia Entertainment was owned by Gregory Peck. The duo recorded their first album at Central Studios in Silver Spring, MD and Studio 309 in Philadelphia, PA. Studio 309 was a company owned by Gamble & Huff. A few months after signing a deal, DJ Tone, The Executioner (Anthony Evans) would join the group.
Their first single Movin' On 'Em. was released in 1990. In 1991, the duo released their album From Pyramids to Projects[1][6] and received critical acclaim. Between 1990 and 1993, Two Kings In A Cipher released 3 singles and videos. In 1993, the Kings began recording their 2nd LP but was unexpectedly released from Bahia Entertainment.
With no record deal and no money, the duo decided to disband the group and leave Washington, DC. Ron relocated to Los Angeles to work with fellow Howard University classmates and R&B heartthrobs, Shai and Deric moved back to New York. Never giving up, the two would stay in constant contact. Both were still writing, creating music, and building relationships in the entertainment industry that would change their lives forever.
In 1995, after scoring a track placement with Suga aka Sweet Tee (What’s Up Star”) on The Show Soundtrack, in 1996, both D.O.P (now called D-Dot) and Amen-RA were recruited to join Bad Boy Entertainment's production team called The Hitmen with fellow Howard University alumnus Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Studio album[edit]
From Pyramids to Projects
01. The Creator Had a Master Plan - Intro
02. Definition Of A King
03. Daffy Wuz A Blackman
04. How U Figga...
05. For The Brothers Who Ain't Here
06. Kemit-cal Reaction
07. You Know How To Make Me
08. Prelude to a Masterpiece - Interlude
09. Movin' On 'Em - Remix
10. Comin Atcha
11. TKO'
12. Kings Are People Too!!!
13. So What I Can't Dance
14. This Is For The Brothers - [Jazz Version]
15. Neighbors
16. Shoutouts - Outro
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Two Kings in A Cipher". allmusic. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "most-iconic-beats". Revolt. Retrieved 2021-03-19. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Movin-On-Em". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-03-19. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Two Kings in a Cipher". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-03-17. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "exclusive-the-hitmen-live". Bad Boy Blog. Retrieved 2021-03-19. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Two Kings In A Cipher". Last. Retrieved 2021-03-19. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Bad Boy Blog » Exclusive: The Hitmen Live". www.badboyblog.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- ↑ "Two Kings in a Cipher biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
- ↑ "Kid 'n Play", Wikipedia, 2021-04-10, retrieved 2021-04-19
- ↑ "Kid N Play – Do This My Way [Official Video HD] | The Home Of Hip-Hop". 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
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