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Heltah Skeltah | |
|---|---|
 Ruck (left) and Rock (center) with Ruste Juxx | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sparsky & Dutch |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
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| Labels | Duck Down |
| Past members | Rock Ruck |
Heltah Skeltah was an Americanhip hop duo which consisted of rappers Jahmal "Rock" Bush andSean "Ruck" Price. The two were also members of New YorksupergroupBoot Camp Clik, along withBuckshot,Smif-N-Wessun andO.G.C.
Heltah Skeltah debuted on Smif-N-Wessun's albumDah Shinin' in 1995, appearing on the tracks "Wontime", "Cession at da Doghillee" and "Let's Git It On". Later in 1995, they grouped up with fellow Boot Camp members O.G.C. to formthe Fab 5 (a nod tothe Beatles), and released a surprise hit single, "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka". Out of the Fab 5 members, Rock and Sean Price received the most attention for their charisma and chemistry. The duo released their debut albumNocturnal in June 1996, which included "Leflah", as well as the singles "Operation Lock Down" and "Therapy". The album sold over 250,000 copies in the United States, and has become a classic because of its grimy, basement sound and strong lyrics. The duo released a group album with the Boot Camp in 1997, then followed in 1998 with their second effortMagnum Force. The album's lead single, "I Ain't Havin' That" (sampled from theA Tribe Called Quest track "Hot Sex", with the chorus samplingRedman's 1996 hit "Pick it Up"), became a Hot 100 hit. Despite the single's success, the album was criticized due to its lighter content. Price and Rock seemed disillusioned with their lack of sales, and split up. Rock began having problems withDuck Down Records, and split with the label, signing to DJ Lethal's Lethal Records. He planned to release an album titledPlanet Rock, but the label folded and the album disappeared. Sean Price remained with the Camp for their second albumThe Chosen Few in 2002. Heltah Skeltah reunited in 2005, making appearances on Sean Price's solo albumMonkey Barz and Smif-N-Wessun'sSmif 'N' Wessun: Reloaded. The duo continued work with the Boot Camp for their third group effortThe Last Stand, released in July 2006. In 2007, Heltah Skeltah had a track included on theOfficial Joints mixtape, a collection of previously unreleased songs by NYC rappers. Heltah Skeltah dropped their third album together titledD.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team) which was released on September 30, 2008.[1] Sean Price died in his sleep on August 8, 2015. He was 43 years old.[2]
Rock had his own song called "I Am Rock", which was not used in any Heltah Skeltah albums and was prominently featured inEA video games which includeNFL Street 2,Need for Speed: Most Wanted,Madden NFL Arcade,EA Sports UFC 2, and made an appearance in the "Legends" update of the 2015Need for Speed remake.
Rockness Monsta released a solo album in 2022 "Ether Rocks" it featuresRon Brows, Frankie Storm,Method Man, andRuste Juxx.
| Year | Album | Billboard Chart | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | R&B/Hip-Hop | |||
| 1996 | Nocturnal | 35 | 5 | |
| 1998 | Magnum Force | 34 | 8 | |
| 2008 | D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team) | 122 | 35 | |
