Search - Intelligent Hoodlum :: Intelligent Hoodlum / Saga of a Hoodlum

The best hip-hop reissue of the year!

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 09/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Intelligent Hoodlum (aka Tragedy Khadafi, Tragedy, Percy, Jadeski) hit the scene with DJ Hot Day in 1986 with his highly energetic LL Cool J inspired style. Together, the Long Island City duo were known as "The Super Kids", and they independently released a 12" with two songs entitled "The Super Kids Live At Hip-Hop USA" and "Go Queensbridge" (seen here as bonus tracks on disc 1). Soon after it's release, the legendary Marley Marl signed Tragedy to his notorious hip-hop collective - The Juice Crew.



A year later, The Super Kids released "The Tragedy (Don't Do It)" which soon became an underground hit. Shortly after, Tragedy split from DJ Hot Day and began recording tracks with Marley Marl. Two of which ("The Rebel" & "Live Motivator") were featured on Marley Marl's seminal solo album "In Control". Shortly after, the 16 year old rapper found himself in jail for a 3-year stretch. During that time he became very interested in black history and political hip-hop (such as Public Enemy). He cites that his biggest influence was the "Autobiography of Malcolm X" in the liner notes. After his incarceration, Tragedy attended college and moved away from the hip-hop scene for about 6 months until he met producer/rapper Joe Fatal, who is responsible for getting Tragedy back into hip-hop. With his first solo album nearly finished, Marley Marl & Alonzo Brown got Tragedy a record deal with A&M Records, which is where all the magic begins.



Now known as Intelligent Hoodlum, Tragedy released two albums ("Intelligent Hoodlum" in 1990 [Disc 1], and "Tragedy: Saga Of A Hoodlum" in 1993 [Disc 2]) and 6 singles with A&M Records.



I can comfortably state that these two albums are straight hip-hop classics! Tragedy may not have had the best flow in the business, but his "intelligent" lyrics and excellent songwriting and story-telling more than make up for an incredible lyrical flow. Contrary to popular belief, the production on "Intelligent Hoodlum" was mainly masterminded by Large Professor, although it undoubtedly has Marl's style all over it. Together they make some of the best conscious rap music that was ever recorded. Weak tracks? Forget about it. It's gold through and through. "Tragedy: Saga Of A Hoodlum" (1993) remains my favorite of the two records. The first record, I would give 4.5 stars, but the second is a solid 5 stars through and through. Everything on the second record was stepped up. Marley Marl's production is in peak form, and Tragedy's flow has become much more concise and focused. His lyrics are also more focused, bringing his protest message to the forefront just as well as Chuck D.



Intelligent Hoodlum would not record another album for 8 years (until 2001's "Against All Odds"). Although these two early records are looked at as his seminal material, he would go on to release several more albums under the name Tragedy Khadafi; the latest being 2007's "The Death of Tragedy". If you are into discovering some true political and conscious hip-hop gems from the golden age, look no further than this reasonably priced Nature Sounds 2-CD reissue. There is no doubt that this is making hip-hop reissue of the year in my book."

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME!!!!!!!!! 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1!!!!!!!!

Shawn L. Mckinnis III | Amherst, NY USA | 05/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This by far is one of the most looked after mc's of all time. His lyrical prescence cannot be explained in a book. It would take a library to even begin! Cop this double disc special if you want to hear some true hip hop!!!!!!"

Thank you, Nature Sounds!

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 05/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 2007, Nature Sounds quietly did a service to humanity by reissuing the first two albums from Tragedy Khadafi, then known as Intelligent Hoodlum. This product packages 1990's "Intelligent Hoodlum" and 1993's Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum, along with extensive bonus material, in a single case. It's been a long time coming, as these LPs have been long out of print, and this is important material from a hip hop legend. A member of Marley Marl's Juice Crew, the Queensbridge rapper emerged as a teenager in the 80s, bringing an element of relevance and consciousness to the Crew. Although eight years would pass until his next release, 2001's Against All Odds, these are two seminal albums of Percy Chapman's discography, and at the price of one album, make for one great purchase.



He debuted in 1990 with a twelve track self-titled album. Here, he is a positive rapper with a socially relevant agenda that bears little resemblance to his post-2000 work. He raps about going to parties and advocates Afrocentrism, anti-violence, and urban justice. I've heard it compared to a young LL Cool J, and I think that's an accurate comparison. Production is simple but appealing, handled by Marley Marl and Large Professor. "Intelligent Hoodlum" doesn't have any amazing songs, and his approach is straightforward. On his debut, Tragedy Khadafi is fun and impressive, and this is truly a quality piece of old school hip hop.



On the opening title track, Trag introduces himself and gives the listener his background. "Back to Reality" is a great track about growing up, sampling Soul II Soul's "Back to Life." He spits b-boy battle rhymes on "Trag Invasion" and advocates social responsibility through African independence, stopping the violence, and anti-abortion sentiments on "No Justice, No Peace." "Party Animal" is a simple party track, and "Black and Proud" is a straightforward pro-black song. The winding, funky beat and dope old school rhymes about female troubles make "Game Type" a winner, while "Mic Check" is decent. My favorite song is the encouraging "Keep Striving," which has excellent soulful and upbeat production. "Party Pack" is another cut about partying, while "Arrest the President" is a provoking profile of the problems Tragedy perceives in the urban community. "Your Tragedy" is a good performance of raps in the second person, an early recording from 1986. The bonus material is outstanding, even better than some of the songs that did make the cut. "Live Motivator" is a great party track, and my favorite add-on is a live freestyle from Marley Marl's WBLS radio show with Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane.



Three years passed between his debut and the follow-up. These three years brought change in the Queensbridge MC, and on his sophomore effort, he abandons much of his teenage spirit and straightforward sociopolitical agenda for a rugged underground approach. This album is rough and gritty when compared to its predecessor, and even his delivery is a little more Onyx and less LL Cool J. Tragedy peppers his verses with snarling boasts and gun-talk, but maintains a relevant stance on a few songs, resulting in a well-balanced tracklist. The album is produced by Marley Marl's protege K-Def, the ingenious beatsmith behind the slept-on classics Here Come the Lords by Lords of the Underground and Da Youngsta's' No Mercy. While many of the beats are looped breakbeats fitting of a Juice Crew record (although some would sound at home on a LOTUG album), there's sufficient evidence to suggest that K-Def was among the 90s' best and most underrated hip hop producers. "Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum" is a well-rounded album.



The LP opens with the gritty funk and rough boasts of "Shalom a Leck," "Underground," and "Funk Mode." One of the best songs is "Grand Groove," an insightful look back at childhood, his neighborhood, and dead homies. With the piano-based production, the song's style is indicative of the QB hip hop sound that would soon develop. "At Large" and "Death Row" are both strong, the latter concerning prison life. "Mad Brothas Know His Name" uses a Guru vocal sample and has nice scratches too. A young Havoc guests on the highlight "Pass the Teck," and "Street Life" is thought-provoking. "Pump the Funk" provides good storytelling, and a relevant message makes "Role Model" a winner. The LP closes with two of the best songs: the furious "The Posse (Shoot 'Em Up)," which likens urban violence to cowboy movies, and the classic "Grand Groove (Bonus Mix)," the best song on the album. Bonus material includes the phenomenal "Street Life (Return of the Life Mix)" and another Havoc collabo, "Funk Mode (Remix)."



With two great albums under his belt and a history with the Juice Crew, Intelligent Hoodlum seemed destined for greatness. However, with so much great hip hop in this era, both were somewhat overlooked. 2001's Against All Odds marked a drastic change in style, and the Tragedy we know today is a grim, philosophical, poetic narrator. Despite a broad range of sound, all of his LPs are great, and I highly recommend these. Check this out if you love East Coast hip hop, because at this price, it'd be a shame to miss out on these long-OOP gems."