The impact of Kingdom & CHILL, and the Ruffinz crew, in Denver Hip-Hop! Stories by:D-E-N-T #IAm
- makindents
- Mar 7, 2015
- 6 min read
The year was 1996, a young junior DENT was bobbin his head down the hallways at Ranum High. Headphones and Hat always on, zoned out in my own world. , Me and my boy's were always collecting and sharing the latest underground Hip-Hop tapes at that time, We were some Hip-Hop fanatic's, and 1996 was a DOPE year for Hip-Hop. We loved our city, and we loved Dope MC's. We were always seeking the Dopest heads that many didn't know about or those who were uprising form the underground. Denver's Rap scene was very limited back then in 1996. Groups like Kut N Crew, Deuce Mob, Brothers Most Wanted, Apostle,Don Blas, V-Ice (R.I.P), DEZ, HBO,Nyke Loc, Spellbinder, Stero Lion, Black Godfather's and a few others were steady grinding around that time, making a name for themselves. They represented Denver in their own way, but US kids who were products of the boom-bap, wanted to know, where to find those Real MC's that related to us & where they were at in Denver?!. I remember one day after school, i took the bus down to Wax Trax, and I came across this tape, that changed my whole view on MC's From Denver!
I popped it in and from the get go, I was super impressed, the production was solid, and all the rappers where really fresh! Conducted by The 40 Thieves, and brainchild behind the project, Hakeem, I was blown away by the amount of talent that was on this compilation.
CLICK TRACKS BELOW TO LISTEN TO A FEW SONGS OFF OF THIS PROJECT!
There were these 2 dude's on this project, I just couldn't get enough of. They were ruff, rugged and Raw, I dug their delivery and styles. Crazy to know, these two, sparked a huge inspirational flame in me, and helped mold me into the MC I am today!
CHILL AND KINGDOM- The Mighty -Ruff-Yinz- Crew!
A Brief History of The Ruffinz-
The Ruff-Yin Crew started in the Garden Court Apartments in Denver. The nucleus being CHILL, his cousin's Jam X and Sleepy Eyes (Chaka). They started out as the JVC crew which consisted of Michelle the Bell, Tek , Tony, and Grasher. Eventually they added and let go of pieces so it became Red, Camden, P.O.D., Dallas, Wateek, Kingdom, Six Man, Zues, Cheese, Philly, Stan, Black Hood. They later added to the Next Generation of the crew....DENT as a Official Ruff-Yin. This elite force of Denver Rapper's, made major noise within the scene and inspired a whole generation of MC's and Hip-Hoppa's with in Denver in the 90's. They followed the foot steps of UTFO. As well as taking game from Denver Legend's from the 80's,The Legion of Doom &The Omega Emcees.
KINGDOM- RUFF-YIN CREW-KS. 107.5
This dude right here is a Monster with lyrics, cat's get ate up like a chinese buffet, when Big Kingdom is on the set! He has played a major role in the art of Mcing for Denver. He was the first to perform at KS1075's summer jam, 3 time Westwood best MC 3 years in a row 1997-2000, NBA first hypeman 2000-2006 . Picked by the Source magazine, TOP 20 Battle rapper out of 22,000. Appeared on the Source Sound Lab. Inspired by the whole Hip-Hop culture, Kingdom has been a Colorado Hip-Hop Staple For years. Being a strong hold personality on the radio waves since his early days at KDKO and Now on K.S. 107.5, the big homie is Hip-Hop! He's made many cameos appearance on mix tapes, freestyling, as well as on other rappers projects. He dropped two LP'sI 'Reign Omnipotent' (1997). In 2002 he pushed a LP out called, 'Life As I know it' it featured a super Dope song featuring legendary icon's, De La Soul called 'The Unexplainable' had to be one of my Fav. joint's on the LP. still is bangin till this day!, Play it Below!
Sitting down with him, this is what Kingdom had to say about connecting with these Hip-Hop legends!
"I was on tour with them and when your touring you become cool like that . Chonz was my Dj back then so we had some wild nights. I was working on my second album at the time and they agreed for me to fly out to Trugoy the doves (Dave) house in Long Island NY to record it. He had a full studio in his basement . We got there and he made the beat on the spot and DV Alias Khryst (smooth da hustler and trigger the gamblers brother) came over and said he wanted to get on the track cause it was ill. I knew he was dope so I was cool with it. I knew from there I had to come with a lyrical threat to show that Colorado had that nigga that could step in the booth with anybody who spits. I said a line in my verse that said "I'm the most feared man since the A.D era"! Get it? After Christ era? D.V Alias mouth dropped! If you listen to Tru Goys verse he spits not like he's done before. He never talks shit on a track but because of the heat that was on his track he went in like he hasn't before. That track is a Monster!"-Kingdom-
BIG CHILL AKA BUMPY CHILL,-RUFF-YIN CREW-
When You heard that original whistle!!!!! followed by the 'AAWWWWWWHOOOO!!'
You knew that call from the OG! Ruff-Yinz was on the set. This is the True Montbello Warrior MC in the rawest form. Orginally born in Wyoming, raised in Denver, with roots in Harlem NYC. Bumpy Chill has inspired myself and many other rappers in Denver. Back in 1993, Chill was a semi-finalist in The New Music Seminar 'MC Battle of World Supremacy' out in New York City. This was the dopest Hip-Hop talent showcase back in the day presented by DJ Clark Kent. It limeligthed some incredible emerging MC's in the scene at that time as; Judgmental, King Son, Chino XL, Mad Skillz, Mos Def, American Dread, Tash from the Liks, this was the same event where the Legendary battle between Craig G VS MC Supernatural happen. Chill perplexed the crowd right off the bat, beating the Brooklyn favorite, mighty Mos Def in the first round,gaining respect from the whole function that night. He defnitely has gained his battle stripes, he sits and tells me stories about Brother Jeff's battle's for KDKO at Junteenth back in the day's and he beat at least 30 people in one day... Individually!
"I remember, Spell Binder and myself got at Wycliffe and Spider on the side of the Ogden theater, we rhymed for about 3hrs it turned into a friendly cipher at the end. There were alot of DOPE MC's back in '96 in Denver, Don Blaz, V-Ice R.I.P. (must always be mentioned), Kingdom, BMW, HBO, Hood & Scooby,Gummi Bear and his brother Rockbox, there was some dope emcees. Star Child was also one of the best in Denver back in the 80's/90's and one of my favorites! Sheesh!!!..
Me and Kingdom went from rivalry to family,battling each other in his mothers red truck
His freestyle is one of the best!" -CHILL-
With 4 LP's under his belt: Thirst, Starvin, Hoodlums EP, Don Kronicals ( with cousin Ziym) and another lost LP in NYC that was never released. Chill still has the passion for the MIC. He is currently working on a NEW LP in 2015 he's calling, 'The Good Me & The Hood Me' Chill is a supreme MC and a supreme striker as well! He currently, host's, promotes and trains others in mixed martial arts. His Muah Thai and Boxing are world class. His Jujitsu is also super sharp! With the heart of a Lion,this Ruff-yin, Deceptakon has transformed to the teacher, student, master of his craft, and always the home town hero, in Colorado!
Here are a few pic's of some of CHILL's current student's:
Click on the titles Below to Listen to Classic Freestyles & Song's From the Ruff-Yinz:
I'm always a advocate for the culture! I have to express the importance of learning the history of hip-hop and rappers in your city. There may be perspectives from a different era of your craft that you have never considered. Perhaps there is a certain technique that had been long forgotten and is waiting to be discovered again. These dude's where the fire to the flame for creativity. I have to pay homage, all the time to those who have inspired me in that creative essence of expression. So whether you are a DJ delving deeper into the social significance of your vinyl collection or a writer studying the political impact of street art, or a B-boy gaining knowledge of the dance. Remember that you can’t know where you are going, unless you know where you have been.
Salute to My OG's! and The Mighty Ruff-Yinz Crew! Thank you ma Gz for always accepting me, for me, and helping me always to become a better MC. I'll be here always Reppin for the Crew, carry on tradition and keeping it True!! Awwwwwhooooooooo!! 1Love
Thanks For reading and checking out my BLOG. This has been another DENT Hip-Hop Story! #IamDENTBlog
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