Company Flow

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Company Flow

(left to right) El-P, Bigg Jus and Mr. Len
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York City, United States
Genres Hip hop
Years active 1993–2001, 2007–present
Labels Rawkus
Past members El-P
Bigg Jus
Mr. Len

Company Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr. Len founded the group in 1992 in Queens, New York and rapper/producer Bigg Jus later joined.

History

El-P had gone through a disastrous experience with a record label in an attempt at a solo deal, and founded the group after serving as an intern for an entertainment lawyer. With DJ Mr. Len, Company Flow released their debut single "Juvenile Techniques" in 1993. The follow-up, "8 Steps to Perfection", and their debut EP, Funcrusher (1996), were underground hits. Subject to a major label bidding war on Libra records, Company Flow waited until they could get a contract on their own terms. They eventually signed to Rawkus, and helped revitalize underground rap with labelmates like Mos Def. Their full-length debut album Funcrusher Plus, released in 1997 on Rawkus, is widely recognized as one of the most important and ground-breaking hiphop albums of the late 1990s. After two years of pushing the album and touring, group member Bigg Jus decided to strike out on his own and the group amicably dissolved. El-P and Mr. Len followed up their debut with the instrumental album Little Johnny From the Hospitul (Rawkus).

By 2000, the relationship with Rawkus had disintegrated. The label was accused of neglecting the group's talent and being dishonest financially. The staff was fired shortly before Christmas, and Company Flow announced their departure from Rawkus shortly thereafter. Separately, El-P and Mr. Len ended their own deals with Rawkus, effectively severing the relationship between the three and Rawkus. El-P has started his own record label (Definitive Jux) and pursued a solo career. Mr. Len has done the same with his (Dummy Smacks Records). Bigg Jus has released work on Big Dada and Mush Records.

Bigg Jus stated in 2006 that he is currently working on material for a new Company Flow album, suggesting the possibility of the group re-forming.[1] Company Flow reunited for a show on October 19, 2007 in Brooklyn, New York City as well as a show on July 16, 2011,[2] and supported Portishead at the inaugural British 'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival in July 23, 2011.[3]

Discography

Albums and EPs

Album information
Funcrusher
  • Released: June 10, 1996
  • Label: Official Recordings
  • Singles: "8 Steps to Perfection"/"Vital Nerve"
Funcrusher Plus
  • Released: July 28, 1997
  • Label: Rawkus Records
  • Singles: "8 Steps to Perfection"/"Vital Nerve", "Population Control", "Blind"/"Tragedy of War (In III Parts)"
Little Johnny from the Hospitul: Breaks & Instrumentals Vol.1

Singles

  • "Juvenile Technique" (1994)
  • "8 Steps to Perfection" (1996)
  • "Infokill" (1996)
  • "Blind" (1997)
  • "End to End Burners...Episode 1" (1998)
  • "Patriotism" from Soundbombing 2 (1999)
  • "D.P.A. (As Seen on TV)" (2000)

Guest appearances

  • Boulevard Connection - "Jonny Rookie Card" from Sut Min Pik (1998)
  • 7 Notas 7 Colores - "NYC-BCN" from 77 (1999)
  • Mike Ladd - "Bladerunners" from Welcome to the Afterfuture (1999)
  • The Infesticons - "Night Time Theme" from Gun Hill Road (2000)
  • DJ Krush - "Vision of Art" from Zen (2001)

Compilation appearances

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ocweekly.com/music/music/sleepers-awake/25727/
  2. ↑ http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/06/company_flow_re.html
  3. ↑ http://www.factmag.com/2010/11/24/portishead-curate-and-headline-atps-ill-be-your-mirror-in-london/
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