Jurassic 5

All Music Guide:

Though there's actually six of them, Jurassic 5 got everything else right on their self-titled debut EP. Part of the new rap underground of the late '90s (along with Company Flow, Mos Def, Dr. Octagon, and Sir Menelik), the sextet -- rappers Marc 7even, Chali 2na, Zaakir, and Akil, plus producers Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark -- came together in 1993 at the Los Angeles café/venue named the Good Life. The six members were part of two different crews, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee; after collaborating on a track, they combined into Jurassic 5 and debuted in 1995 with the "Unified Rebellion" single for TVT Records. At the tail end of 1997, the Jurassic 5 EP appeared and was hailed by critics as one of the freshest debuts of the year (if not the decade). Both Cut Chemist and Chali 2na are also part of the Latin hip-hop collective Ozomatli, while Chemist himself recorded several mixtapes plus the wide-issue album Future Primitive Soundsession (with Shortkut from Invisibl Skratch Piklz). The year 2000 found the group on tour with Fiona Apple and on the Warped Tour, just in time for the release of Quality Control that summer. Live work continued during 2000-2001, and a second record (Power in Numbers) appeared by the end of 2002. Jurassic 5 earned new fans -- many outside of hip-hop -- by playing some unconventional venues, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and the Warped Tour. By 2006, Cut Chemist had left the group to pursue his production and DJ ambitions; the remaining quintet enlisted producers including Salaam Remi, Scott Storch, and Exile (as well as in-house talent DJ Nu-Mark) to record their third full LP, Feedback, released in July 2006. Less than a year later, however, the group, citing "musical differences," officially called it quits.

Wikipedia:

Jurassic 5 are an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart (Chali 2na), Dante Givens (Akil), Courtenay Henderson (Zaakir), Marc Stuart (Mark 7even), and disc jockeys Mark Potsic (DJ Nu-Mark) and Lucas Macfadden (Cut Chemist). The six piece crew that was formed, came out of the Los Angeles, California Venue called "Good Life". The group broke up in 2007, shortly after releasing their fourth LP Feedback, citing "musical differences".

History [edit]

Jurassic 5 debuted nationally in 1995 from TVT Records with their first single, "Unified Rebelution". Jurassic 5 released their first record, Jurassic 5 EP, in 1997. After Jurassic 5 put out their first record, it "cemented their position in the 1990s alternative hip hop movement, alongside artists such as Company Flow, Black Star and Kool Keith." The group later signed to Interscope Records and the EP was repackaged with additional tracks and released in December 1998 as the full-length, eponymous debut album entitled Jurassic 5.

This was followed by their second album Quality Control, which peaked at #43 on the Billboard 200.

In 2002, they released their third album, Power In Numbers which peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Jurassic 5 eventually toured without Cut Chemist, who left the group to pursue a solo career. The remaining five members released their fourth album, Feedback, on July 25, 2006. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200.

In other media [edit]

Jurassic 5's music has been used in several video games. In 2000, "Jayou" was featured in Grind Session. Also in 2000, Jet Set Radio was released in North America including the track "Improvise" from the album Quality Control - though it only appears on the US pressing. All other pressings of the album have the track Concrete And Clay instead - and an instrumental version of the same song. The following year, the track "Great Expectations" from the same album was also included in Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX. The song "In The House" from Feedback was featured in NBA Live 06. while "Red Hot" was featured in SSX On Tour. In 2003, "A Day At The Races" was included in Tony Hawk's Underground. The song "What's Golden" from Power In Numbers was featured in ATV Offroad Fury 2.

As well, Abigail Whistler (Jessica Biel), in Blade Trinity, had Jurassic 5 on her vampire hunting playlist.

The group featured in the 2001 hip hop documentary Scratch

Breakup [edit]

The group split in 2007. Reasons for the break-up have been attributed to disagreements among members of the group.

With the release of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2013 line up, it has been confirmed that Jurassic 5 will reunite for the festival. Dj Nu Mark went on to post on his Twitter that a full tour will follow the Coachella performance.

The group is also confirmed for Spanish festival Sónar in June 2013 and Portuguese festival Optimus Alive in July 2013.