Dudley Perkins

Dudley Perkins began rapping in 1987, though his debut for most hip-hop fans took place in 1995 when he was featured on a track from tha Alkaholiks' Coast II Coast (as Declaime). Affiliated with the group of rapper/producers who made waves later in the decade with releases as Lootpack (including Quasimoto and Wildchild), Perkins wrote a few songs and, with Quasimoto at the boards, recorded an ode called "Flowers." After Stones Throw mogul Peanut Butter Wolf heard the acid-soaked R&B jam, he released it on 7" as part of the label's Jukebox 45's series; soon after, it became a favorite of DJs and tastemakers including Gilles Peterson. The full-length A Lil Light followed in mid-2003, with Expressions coming out in 2006.