Company Flow

All Music Guide:

One of the most influential rap groups of the late '90s, Company Flow laid the groundwork for nearly all the experimental hip-hop that followed. They were an instrumental force in revitalizing underground hip-hop as a whole, and in making Rawkus Records the new movement's most prominent indie label. Company Flow's sound -- dense, abstract lyrics underpinned by irregular beats and spacey, basement-level production -- was like nothing else in hip-hop at the time, and their uncompromising attitude and willingness to push the envelope became hallmarks of the independent hip-hop scene. Although they managed only one proper album, the classic Funcrusher Plus, the full extent of their legacy is just beginning to be felt.

Company Flow was founded in 1992 in Queens by MC/producer El-Producto (El-P for short; born Jaime Meline), along with Bigg Jus and DJ Mr. Len. Highly intelligent but kicked out of several schools for problems with authority, El-P had previously signed a restrictive solo deal that kept him from recording for years; he even served an internship with an entertainment lawyer in hopes of resolving his difficulties. After getting his GED at age 16, he studied sound engineering and formed Company Flow after meeting DJ Mr. Len at his 18th birthday party. The two put out a single, "Juvenile Techniques," on the small Libra label in 1993, and Libra employee Bigg Jus soon befriended the group and became its third member. Company Flow set up its own label, Official Recordings, and released the single "8 Steps to Perfection," which began to create an underground buzz. The group worked day jobs to fund their first EP, 1995's Funcrusher, which sold over 30,000 copies despite being available only in double-vinyl format.

Now with an even stronger buzz, Company Flow was courted by several labels, but held out for an extremely artist-friendly deal that would allow them to maintain ownership of their masters and publishing rights, receive 50 percent of the net profits from their recordings, and not commit them to multiple album releases. The only label to accept their terms was Rawkus Records, a financially struggling indie with no clear musical identity at the time. Company Flow's signing gave them instant street credibility and paved the way for the label to spearhead the resurgence of underground hip-hop with a roster including Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and others. Company Flow, meanwhile, added a spate of new tracks to Funcrusher to create their debut full-length, Funcrusher Plus. Acclaimed by many and misunderstood by some, Funcrusher Plus is considered a landmark. Heavy touring and promotion ensued, after which Bigg Jus struck out on his own (as the group had planned for some time). El-P and Mr. Len followed up with Little Johnny from the Hospitul: Breaks and Instrumentals, Vol. 1, an album of dark instrumental hip-hop that disappointed some fans but pleased others. Also that year, they contributed the topical "Patriotism" to Rawkus' Soundbombing, Vol. 2 compilation (which was titled after a phrase they'd coined in the early days).

By 2000, Rawkus was pushing to break itself into the mainstream, and the label's relationship with Company Flow began to break down. They officially parted ways by the end of the year, and not long after the group decided to disband amicably. El-P set up his own Definitive Jux label and assembled a roster of progressive rap artists, including Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, and Rjd2, not to mention his own solo recordings, which began with 2002's abrasive and acclaimed Fantastic Damage.

Wikipedia:

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 [edit]

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. Company Flow reunited for a show on October 19, 2007 in Brooklyn, New York City as well as a show on July 16, 2011, and supported Portishead at the inaugural British 'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival in July 23, 2011.