Diggin' in the Crates Crew

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D.I.T.C.
(top left to right) Finesse, Big L, Show, O.C. (bottom left to right) Diamond, A.G., Fat Joe
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York
Genre(s)	Hip Hop
Years active	1991 – Present
Label(s)	Zyx Records Tommy Boy Records
Associated acts	Big Pun Cuban Link DJ Premier Sadat X
Members
Lord Finesse Showbiz A.G. Diamond D Fat Joe O.C. Big L Buckwild

The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from a popular DJ sampling practice. (See: digging in the crates.) Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in both underground and mainstream rap circles, often collaborating with undiscovered talent and underground artists (Madlib produces the first track on A.G.'s new album) alongside the most commercial of rappers (Puff Daddy and Nelly have both been featured on Fat Joe's albums). Two of its best claims to fame are the extremely talented, but deceased, member Big L and affiliate Big Pun.

[edit] Members

• Showbiz and A.G.
• Big L (deceased)
• Buckwild
• Diamond D
• Fat Joe
• Lord Finesse
• O.C.

[edit] Beginnings

In the late 1980s, a young man by the name of Robert Hall, better known as Lord Finesse met Joe "Diamond D" Kirkland on his way to school. Over time they grew to be close friends, and they decided to form a rap group. At the time, the group didn’t carry a name yet, but it would later be widely known as D.I.T.C., short for Diggin’ In The Crates, referring to the art of sampling records. Especially Lord Finesse cared a lot about a reputation, much more than money. He travelled through the Bronx, battling any MC he could. Most MCs proved to be easy victims for Finesse’s developed skills, except for one MC. Andre Barnes, better known as Andre The Giant, or A.G., who carried the name "Infinite" at the time, proved to be completely even when he battled Lord Finesse to a draw. Finesse was impressed and introduced him to Diamond D. Showbiz was a respected DJ, who was brought into the family by Diamond D, and later by Finesse. Showbiz got to meet A.G. this way, who he made several solo albums with, their first EP was released in 1991. Another Bronx inhabitant, Fat Joe, was a known and notorious drugsdealer, but he met up with Diamond D after growing tired of the drug trade. At first, Diamond D wasn’t impressed at all. He wanted Fat Joe to enter a rap contest at the Apollo to further test him. After winning for four weeks straight, Diamond D was convinced enough to help Fat Joe with a record deal. He released his first album in 1993. Buckwild joined the crew when he was Finesse’s DJ during a tour in 1993. Buckwild introduced Omar “O.C.” Credle to the others, the 2 knew each other because Buckwild produced O.C.’s solo album, Word…Life. Big L was the last member to be welcomed into the family. Finesse met him in the back of a store called "Rock N Wills", and Finesse was immediately convinced that Big L was more than just a rapper. Being featured on Finesse’s B-Side "Yes You May (Remix)", Big L’s name started growing.

[edit] Discography

• Live In Tramps (Vol.1) (ZYX music, 1999)
• Live In Tramps (Vol.2) (ZYX music, 1999)
• All Love (Next Level Recordings / File Rec Inc., 2000)
• D.I.T.C. (Tommy Boy, 2000)
• Certified 2000 (Tommy Boy, 2000)
• The Official Version (DITC Records, 2000)
• DITC Presents Wild Life (DITC/Fat Beats Records, 2001)

[edit] External links

• www.agditc.com
• AG/DITC Myspace profile
• AG on Look Records