K-Def is one accomplished producer. The New Jersey native is known for his extensive discography, which includes work with Lords Of The Underground, UGK, and Puff Daddy. The onetime protege of Marley Marl, K-Def has maintained a career in music for nearly 25 years.
In 1993, Def was hard at work. He produced extensively for L.O.T.U.G.’s Here Come The Lords, Tragedy Khadafi’s Saga Of A Hoodlum, and Monie Love’s In A Word Or Two. According to K-Def’s Redefinition Records Bandcamp page, somebody who also wanted in was KRS-One.
Kris was several years removed from a feud with Marley and the Juice Crew, and was stepping out from Boogie Down Productions to re-brand his career under his own moniker. September 28, 1993’s Return Of The Boom-Bap was a revamped sound for the Bronx, New Yorker. KRS went into the lab with Gang Starr’s DJ Premier, Showbiz & A.G.’s Show, and Kid Capri for an onslaught of hard-hitting tracks. According to K-Def, this beat was submitted to the Jive Records project—and for whatever reason—ultimately passed on:
What is especially notable, is that K-Def sampled The Charmel’s “As Long As I’ve Got You.” On November 9, 1993—six weeks after Return Of The Boom Bap released, RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan turned the same sample, with overlapping elements into smash hit “C.R.E.A.M.” Presented with the Loud/RCA Records album, the single would formally release on its own in 1994:
While there have often been some reported disputes surrounding samples (see: Little Boy Blues), this case ends well. K-Def would work extensively with Ghostface Killah, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and the Theodore Unit. Additionally, K-Def was called upon for KRS-One & Marley Marl’s Hip Hop Lives LP in 2007.
One can only wonder if the incredibly catchy sampling would have played for KRS-One and K-Def the way it did for Wu-Tang and RZA.
Heads looking for more K-Def relics can look forward to The Way It Was, releasing this month.
