DIGGIN' IN THE CRATES CREW

(Redirected from D.I.T.C.)

The 'Diggin' in the Crates' Crew, also known as 'D.I.T.C.', is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from a popular DJ sampling practice. (See: digging in the crates.) Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in both pooprap circles, often collaborating with undiscovered talent and underground artists (Madlib produces the first track on A.G.'s new album) alongside the most commercial of rappers (Puff Daddy and Nelly have both been featured on Fat Joe's albums). Two of its best claims to fame are the extremely talented, but deceased, member Big L and affiliate Big Pun.

Contents

Members

Beginnings

Discography

External links

Members

★ Showbiz and A.G.

★ Big L

★ Buckwild

★ Diamond D

★ Fat Joe

★ Lord Finesse

★ O.C.

Beginnings

In the late 1980s a young man by the name of Robert Hall, better known as Lord Finesse, met Joe "Diamond D" Kirkland on his way to school. Over time they grew to be close friends and decided to form a rap group. The group wasn't named yet, but it would later become widely known as D.I.T.C., short for Diggin’ In The Crates, referring to the art of sampling records. Lord Finesse, caring more for reputation than money, travelled through the Bronx, battling any MC he could. Most MCs proved to be easy victims for Finesse’s developed skills, until he met Andre Barnes. Better known as Andre The Giant, or A.G., Andre, who carried the name "Infinite" at the time, battled Lord Finesse to a draw. Finesse was impressed and introduced him to Diamond D. Showbiz was a respected DJ, who was brought into the family by Diamond D, and later by Finesse. After meeting in this way Showbiz and A.G. went on to make several solo albums together, with their first EP released in 1991. Another Bronx inhabitant, Fat Joe, a notorious drug dealer, met up with Diamond D after growing tired of the drug trade. At first, Diamond D wasn’t impressed at all. He wanted Fat Joe to enter a rap contest at the Apollo to further test him. After winning for four weeks straight, Diamond D was convinced enough to help Fat Joe with a record deal. He released his first album in 1993. Buckwild joined the crew when he was Finesse’s DJ during a tour in 1993. Buckwild introduced Omar “O.C.” Credle to the others. The two knew each other because Buckwild produced O.C.’s solo album, ''Word…Life''. Big L was the last member to be welcomed into the family. Finesse met him in the back of a store called "Rock N Wills", and Finesse was immediately convinced that Big L was more than just a rapper. Being featured on Finesse’s B-Side "Yes You May (Remix)", Big L’s name started growing.

Discography

★ ''Live In Tramps (Vol.1)'' (ZYX music, 1999)

★ ''Live In Tramps (Vol.2)'' (ZYX music, 1999)

★ ''All Love'' (Next Level Recordings / File Rec Inc., 2000)

★ ''D.I.T.C.'' (Tommy Boy, 2000)

★ ''Certified 2000'' (Tommy Boy, 2000)

★ ''The Official Version'' (DITC Records, 2000)

★ ''DITC Presents Wild Life'' (DITC/Fat Beats Records, 2001)

External links

★ AG/DITC Myspace profile

★ AG on Look Records

★ Official Big L Website