
B-1 – Hands of Time (Video) (Prod. Large Professor)
Ever heard of B-1? Despite being one of the first artists signed to Rawkus Records, sporting a flow reminiscent of OC and working with legends like Large Professor, the Queens MC is still a relative unknown. Here’s a video for a previously unreleased jewel he created with Large Professor. Check out Hands of Time. Related: Large Professor Gives the Inside Story on Jay-Z’s Takeover (Video)
Here’s the full scoop on B-1:
B-1 (aka One) has been in the game since the early 90’s, but despite close ties to numerous well known rap artists and hip-hop luminaries his name still remains relatively unknown. Hailing from Queens, NY, B-1 gravitated towards Hip-Hop at a young age, influenced by his mother’s eclectic musical tastes as well as the nearby block parties and park jams.
Citing Kool G Rap and Lord Finesse as major influences in picking up a pen and becoming an emcee, B-1 spent years honing his craft on the down low before being featured on two tracks on Kool G Rap’s 1995 album “4, 5, 6”, alongside close associate MF Grimm. However this wasn’t the first time B-1 worked with one of his former idols, as he already had the chance to record alongside Lord Finesse, Grimm and Freddie Foxxx in 1992, earning him a mention in the prestigious demo section of Rap Pages Magazine.
In the late 90’s, B-1 went on to become one of the first artists to sign a deal with Rawkus Records and released a handful of successful underground records, several of which featured collaborations with none other than Large Professor. In 2000 the very gifted Queens MC went quiet, but never stopped recording new music. It was already 2012 when B-1 finally made a dope comeback on the Beneficence collabo track, “Rulez To The Game (Remix)”, that also featured Harlem legend Herb McGruff.
Ill Adrenaline Records proudly presents a previously unreleased gem by B-1 & Large Professor entitled “Hands of Time”. This track was recorded back in 1997 and was supposed to be B-1’s first single on Rawkus. The “Brooklyn Side” of the 7″ contains a dope demo track by O.C. & Da Beatminerz.
“Hands Of Time” will be available on digitally, on cassette and vinyl. Only 100 cassettes pressed, plus there are 100 opaque red vinyls (besides the usual black copies that will be distributed worldwide by Fat Beats) – both are exclusively being sold on the Ill Adrenaline website: www.illadrenalinerecords.com