In 1996, Hip-Hop was in the middle of a shift, especially in New York City. The rugged, construction boot days were yielding to the shiny suits. Just as the Big Apple’s reigning Rap star The Notorious B.I.G. had transformed from an “Unbelievable” entrance to a “Get Money” mantra involving Cristal, canes, and tailored suits, the city followed. In the underground though, some artists were late on the memo, and Hip-Hop Heads loved them because of it.

Once such artist was Brooklyn’s Blahzay Blahzay. Signed by Mercury Records (who has believed in Hip-Hop since the days of Kurtis Blow to Diamond D and Black Sheep), the duo of Outloud and DJ P.F. Cuttin released just one album. Blah Blah Blah, a play on the group’s name featured 13 tracks. The most notable guests were Brownsville brothers Smoothe Da Hustler and Trigger Tha Gambler (who are now part of S.M.G.), as well as another BK native, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate La The Darkman. That LP was co-executive produced by East New York’s own Domingo (Big Pun, Kool G Rap, Token). However, a tandem since the 1980s, Blahzay Blahzay waited too long to not strike in the spotlight. The behind the scenes producers for Juice Crew’s Craig G and Masta Ace finally went for theirs.

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To many, Blahzay Blahzay lives in history thanks to single, “Danger!.” Featuring a two-year-old Jeru The Damaja and over-layed Beastie Boys vocal as its makeshift chorus, the song is straightforward. At a time when NYC was changing, Outloud and P.F. wanted Heads to know it was not all good in the five boroughs. This duo prided themselves on having the ill street blues, and called out items that made sense to those who could relate (mondongo soup, Boston Baked Beans candy, back-spinning on the turntable). While some may have interpreted the song and its chorus to assert East Coast power at a time when Tupac Shakur, MC Eiht, and Cypress Hill were releasing high profile LPs, it is arguably a standing up for the forgotten netherlands of NYC.

Notably, ‘Ru and DJ Premier (who remixed the Top 50 single, below) showed up for the video, which showcased a day in the life of two Rap hopefuls in from East New York and Brownsville.

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While Blahzay Blahzay would not release another album, P.F. Cuttin would become a close producer with Sean Price, as well as work with Guru, Thirstin Howl III, and Masta Killa. In recent years, he was at the forefront of music by Action Bronson and Meyhem Lauren.

#BonusBeat: The “Danger (Remix)” by DJ Premier:

Today, P.F. Cuttin hosts East New York Radio online.