Naming yourselves Hardhead and Stoneface risks envoking the image of Bedrock, but these dudes weren’t on some Fruity Pebble bullshit. Their School of Hard Knocks album was tough to get for a long time, but those who managed to track it down were in for a treat, as this LP was well ahead of it’s time conceptually while delivering pro-Black and anti-police messages on almost every song. The thing that made this project stand out from the other politically charged groups of the time was the unique approach that Hardhead took to every topic he tackled, providing a refreshing angle take on some well-worn topics. He also repped nicely on the albums pair of brag rap showcases, all the while backed by effective bests from The Speakchuckas.
But where have the crew been since this project? No MySpace, no weak come-back attempts, nothing! Anybody able to point me in the direction of these characters will be an original Lego set depicting the Wild Pitch records office.
Further reading: RHS reviews the album. Comment hilarity ensues.
‘Dirty Cop Named Harry (Remix)’
‘Nigga For Hire (Remix)’
‘Strictly From The Bronx’
I honestly never listened to Hard Knocks back then,but this”Nigga for hire”is hot!!! It takes all the way back to early conscious HipHop from Lakim Shabazz,King Sun,X-Clan,and really reminds me of(Juvenile Committee),this made my day.
I’ve always loved this album. Hardhead has such a dope voice, and the beats are very very nice. Never seen the video before, it’s not one they played on Yo! MTV Raps. What’s with the putter? I guess they got caught up in the mess that was Wild Pitch.
Another good review and download here: http://oophiphop.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/hard-knocks-school-of-hard-knocks-1992-unreleased-tracks/
all i got on these guys is that “hands of a stranger joint” im have to try and cop a copy of their album.
…also, dunno where “Hard Knocks” are but “Trendz of Culture” have started recording new stuff lately if you remember those guys from way back you might be interested…
http://www.myspace.com/trendzofculture3
this has always been one of my favorite albums.
one of hip hops most underrated classics.
luckily enough I have this on CD. A quality album and very underrated.
yeah this is one of my all time favourites. I had a dub of a dub of a dub of it on cassette in high school, i must have repaired that tape 10 times. By the time it finally died it was more sticky tape than audio tape. Finally got it on vinyl a few years back. All praise to ebay.
Rob, kirk did a bunch of research* and found some other stuff that these guys did. I’m nowhere near nerdy enough to know myself, but hit him up if you still have his email and he might have some clues
*web surfing
^Word up Heady… They use to run with the name 3 Da Hard Way. Dropped a 12 then switched to Hard Knocks with the L.P…
Those in the know, know, but for what its worth this album is amongst the finest Wild Pitch popped off and one of my faves ever.
Underrated is understating. Killer album.
T.
P.S
Rob, the producto team was the Spearchuckas homie… spellcheck!
Spearchuckers production was ahead of its time. Hard Knocks was the truth.
Someone gotta know where they went? Another Wild Pitch shemozzle?
Trends Of Culture only had that one dope joint. Thanks to Finesse.
“Alright, I’ve taken enough abuse for this review – fuck each and every one of you who disagrees with me. You’re a bunch of marginally literate douchebags.” RNS
hahahahaha
Trendz had more than one dope song too
All ILL no FILL – love this LP… I serious issue addressa on many levels. Thanks for giving it the props it deserves.
Trendz had one other ill cut as I recall – something about “think I give a Fuck’ or something that weed has erased … even my wife loved Off … and … On.
All I really cared about around this time was the L.O.N.S. ‘Whats Next’ Large Pro Remix … FuKKIn TRACK SMASHED EVERYTHING AHAHAHAHAHAHAAH hAHAHAHAH
The entire Trendz of Culture album was great. I still have that shit on tape, I never have to fast forward that motherfucker.
Big Hock, you must be hangin with R.H.S. in the land of little-dick-bad-breath mothafukas for writing some shit like that.
So so slept on, but those who knew, knew. Was a very happy day the one i copped this on wax.Whole album, start to finish, repeat, repeat.
Where the hell did they go?? One of my most asked q’s in this for a long time.
Here’s hoping you track em’ down Robbie, now that would be some interview/shit to read.
Oh snap!
How did I miss this post?
This album is definitely in the top 10 of most slept on hip hop albums of all time.
That RHS dude most be smoking crack. How many rap songs deals with rape?
And today (30/4 2009) Pete Rock has leaked a song called Just A Word or Two, that is basically the same beat as Ghetto Love. So how the hell is he gonna say it sounded dated in 1992?
Robbie, please, please find these guys and give them their props. I’ll buy anything they can release :-)
Tripping Yo! I’m J1, one of 2 the Spearchukas (big up to the other Spear Zulu and his incredible history with music)! Hardhead is in Atlanta. I am grateful someone understood. I thought for years I made a mistake producing the album in that fashion. Everything was done purposely and we weren’t sure what would happen, but we stayed true to Hardhead’s lyrics and the music. I’m just glad we’re being talked about a little.
^^^
Boom Robbie, track this man down for the knowledge on whens and wheres!!!
I’m the other spear chucka Zulu peace to j 1 , and peace to the true origin of hip hop im glad u cats know the truth I’m just thankful and completely glad it didn’t fall on deaf ears!!!!!!!!!! Keep hip hop alive
I found them!!! He just left me, I thought he was just a old drunk but he was presenting I go to YouTube and type in “Dirty Cop Named Harry” And it was really him!
I found them in Orlando!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o4jnwhAEJw
They aint hangin wit hardknocks
Slander and defamation of character creates controversy w
hich in the final analysis catapults record sales rule# 101 in the game of hip-hop
I had the album, it was a good album but you all act like it was EGO TRIPPIN’ in 1988 it wasn’t as good as most of the artists on wild pitch who put out albums. Again not saying it wasn’t a solid album but that shit wasn’t a “classic” that term is used way too loosely.
Nigga u will never know what true hip hop is until ur raised in NY
FORTKNOCKS THE ALBUM 2020
U must be a groupie i live in N.Y.
The repercussions of this album were huge.
Mode 2, one of the greatest Paris graffiti writers of all times, brought this album to Alcorcon, a hood in the South of Madrid, and played it in our boombox while doing a wall in. the summer of 1992. Its influence on the first serious rap album in Spain was huge, not only musically, but philosophically. Personally, it influenced me on reinforcing many of the values and perspectives now lost in most rap artists.
Still one of my favorite albums of all times. Rhymes are still flawless, voice is impeccable, flow the way it should, beats and DJ on point to add layers and context to the vocals. I wish they would have continue. What happened?