M.O.P.

Lil' Fame and Billy Danzenie formed hardcore rap act M.O.P. The duo’s debut single, “How About Some Hardcore,” became popular and led to the release of their first album, To the Death, in the spring of 1994. Two years later, they delivered Firing Squad. Third record First Family 4 Life was released in March of 1998; Warriorz followed two years later. The success of Warriorz helped raise M.O.P’s profile and garnered some mainstream radio attention. Label issues left the band adrift around 2002 until they were picked up by Roc-A-Fella Records and appeared on Jay-Z’s The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse. Although the band stayed active recording and making appearances on soundtracks, Rock-a-Fella did not release a full-length album from M.O.P and the band parted-ways with Rock-a-Fella in 2005. They then signed with G-Unit Records and released the compilation M.O.P. Salutes the St. Marxmen. M.O.P. next released Ghetto Warfare — recorded and shelved by Rock-a-Fella — in 2006. In 2008, the band released The Legends Underground, Vol. 5 and announced they had ended their deal with G-Unit Records. In 2009, M.O.P. released The Foundation on E1 Music. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine