Description
Showbiz & A.G. – Runaway Slave – Double Vinyl Record
Showbiz & A.G. – Runaway Slave, released in 1992, is a cornerstone of early 1990s East Coast hip-hop and one of the most underrated debuts of the golden era. The album introduced the world to Andre the Giant (A.G.), a nimble, confident MC from the Bronx, and Showbiz, a DJ/producer with a gift for hard-hitting beats and jazz-inflected loops. Together, they crafted an album that balances streetwise lyricism, gritty boom-bap production, and conscious themes—delivering a project that’s both underground and timeless.
Runaway Slave came out as part of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), a collective that included future legends like Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., and Big L. Their focus was on authenticity, raw lyricism, and sampling-heavy production that drew from jazz, funk, and soul, pushing back against the rising tide of gangsta rap on the West Coast. The result was an album that feels unfiltered, reflective of the Bronx streets, and full of lyrical firepower.
From the opening track, “Still Diggin’”, Showbiz sets the tone with a looped upright bassline and dusty drums, while A.G. delivers bars with sharp precision. Standout tracks include:
“Fat Pockets” – a classic braggadocio anthem driven by a funky loop and A.G.’s swaggering delivery, showcasing his ability to mix humor with toughness.
“Soul Clap” – a laid-back party track that became a minor hit, blending Showbiz’s knack for head-nodding beats with sharp, energetic verses. The remix version also helped build their early buzz.
“Runaway Slave” (title track) – dives into themes of mental and cultural liberation, tying the Black American experience to the metaphor of breaking societal chains.
“Represent” – a posse cut featuring D.I.T.C. affiliates like Lord Finesse and Big L, offering an early glimpse at the lyrical depth the crew was known for.
A.G. balances clever wordplay, street narratives, and conscious reflections, always delivered with a cool, controlled presence. Unlike more flamboyant MCs of the time, his power lies in his natural flow and authenticity—never overreaching, always grounded. Showbiz’s production is the perfect counterpart: sample-rich, rhythmically tight, and unmistakably East Coast. He favors loops over synths, texture over flash.
Runaway Slave was embraced by the underground and true heads, though it never reached mainstream success. But its influence on East Coast lyricism and underground aesthetics is lasting. The album became a blueprint for a certain kind of New York hip-hop: uncommercial, street-savvy, sample-heavy, and rooted in community.
In hindsight, Runaway Slave holds up as a hidden gem of the golden era, comparable in spirit and quality to albums by Gang Starr, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Black Moon. It helped solidify the D.I.T.C. movement and laid the groundwork for future classics.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Still Diggin’
Fat Pockets
Bounce Ta This
More Than One Way Out The Ghetto
Silence Of The Lambs (Remix)
40 Acres And My Props
Runaway Slave
Hard To Kill
Hold Ya Head
He Say, She Say
Represent
Silence Of The Lambs
Party Groove (Bass Mix)
Soul Clap (Short Version)
Catchin’ Wreck
