Illegal (group)

Illegal
Background information
Origin Holly Hill, South Carolina
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres Hip-Hop
Years active 1993–1995
Labels Rowdy/Arista/BMG Records
Associated acts Erick Sermon, Diamond D, Lord Finesse
Past members
Jamal
Lil Malik

Illegal was a short-lived hip hop duo composed of Jamal Phillips (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Malik Edwards (Holly Hill, South Carolina) that was signed to Rowdy Records. The duo was known to be affiliated with the hip-hop collective Hit Squad, made their debut with the album, The Untold Truth, released in 1993, which became a minor success, peaking at #119 on the Billboard 200 and #19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Several tracks on the album, including its two singles, "Head or Gut" and "We Getz Busy," were diss songs directly aimed at rivals Kris Kross and Da Youngstas. The duo virtually disappeared from the public eye until 1995, when it teamed with Too Short on the song "Thangs Change," after which the group disbanded. Jamal Phillips would later release his debut solo album, Last Chance, No Breaks, in 1995 on Rowdy Records. Malik released one single for Rowdy Records titled "Malik Goes On," but his debut album was shelved. Malik worked with his cousin Snoop Dogg on Doggystyle, Warren G on Regulate...G Funk Era, and Tha Dogg Pound on Dogg Food and finally released his debut album in 2005, The Game Needs Me.

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart positions
U.S. Billboard 200 U.S. R&B
1993 The Untold Truth
  • Released: August 24, 1993
  • Label: Rowdy
119 19

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap
1993 "Head or Gut" The Untold Truth
"We Getz Busy" 95 57 1
1994 "Back in the Day" 80 21