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London Posse
London Posse
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London Posse was a British hip hop group.[1][2] According to The Daily Telegraph, they "finally gave British rap an identity of its own."[3] London Posse member Bionic led the charge for UK and worldwide artists to use their own accents and languages rather than copy Americans and was the architect behind their biggest hit "Money Mad" introducing 'road style' to UK hip hop and mixing it with ragga/dancehall.

Key Information

Formation

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The group was formed by Sipho the Human Beatbox, and consisted of Sipho, Rodney P, Bionic and DJ Biznizz.[4] Sipho had gained the attention of Mick Jones (formerly of The Clash) through his performance in the 1985 documentary Electrorock,[5] and had subsequently performed on Big Audio Dynamite's track "C'Mon Every Beatbox" from the album No. 10, Upping St..[6] The group formed for the 1986 Big Audio Dynamite tour of the United States and Europe, as Sipho had been asked to tour and wanted the others to tour with him. Rodney P (then known as MC Rodie Rok) was two weeks into a YTS course when he joined the group and Bionic was performing as a reggae MC, although Rodney and Bionic already knew each other through mutual acquaintances and through attending Jerry Dammers's Artist Against Apartheid gigs in Covent Garden.[7] As well as this, Sipho and Bionic had already been performing together – they had featured on the Irish TV show Megamix in 1986 as a duo.[8] Also supporting on the tour were Schoolly D and DJ Code Money.

When the group first formed, it did not have a name, but while playing in New York City, they were constantly referred to as the "London Posse" because of their hometown, and the name stuck. While out in New York, they were present at the filming of the Boogie Down Productions video for "The Bridge Is Over".[7] On their return to the UK, they released the single "London Posse" (Big Life, 1987), produced by Tim Westwood, which detailed their experiences. The single peaked at number eleven on the UK Independent Chart, staying in the chart for eleven weeks.[4] The b-side, "My Beatbox Reggae Style", was Sipho beatboxing and Bionic rapping, with scratches from Biznizz. This was the first UK track to consist solely of a beatboxer providing the backing.[7] The group also appeared in Tim Westwood's 1987 BBC documentary Bad Meaning Good, a look at UK hip hop culture featuring London Posse, Cookie Crew, MC Crazy Noddy and DJ Fingers, and others. After the first single, Sipho and Biznizz officially left the group – Sipho to work with Derek B, and Biznizz to work on Tim Westwood's radio show (although Biznizz continued to work with the group as a DJ and produce some of the group's later tracks).[7]

Rodney P and Bionic continued to record as a duo, releasing the single "Money Mad" (Justice, 1988) with Westwood's Justice label, which gained a great deal of radio exposure. Westwood, however, did not feel that he could continue to run a label,[7] and the duo moved to Island Records subsidiary Mango. As well as appearing on the anti-apartheid B.R.O.T.H.E.R. track "Beyond The 16th Parallel" alongside Demon Boyz, MC Mell'O, Cookie Crew, She Rockers, London Rhyme Syndicate, Katch-22, Gunshot, Hijack, Icepick and Overlord X, they released "Live Like The Other Half Do" in 1989. Their classic (and only officially released) album, Gangster Chronicle (Mango Records) was released the following year.[9] Produced primarily by Sparki (a member of the Jus Badd Crew, along with MC Mell'O and Monie Love), DJ Devastate and the Posse themselves, it had its roots firmly in reggae and hip hop, and the album sounded quite different from the predominant hardcore of their contemporaries, and cemented London Posse's reputation as one of the UK scene's most talented groups.[9] According to the NME, on its release it was "a musical Molotov cocktail".[10] They also toured during this time with Public Enemy and N.W.A, along with Demon Boyz and MC Mell'O'.

After two more singles ("Tell Me Something" and "Jump Around"), Mango was closed down by its parent company and the London Posse moved to Bullitt Records,[7] run by their manager Errol Bull (who features on both "How's Life in London" and the Ragga remix). The group began recording a second album (preliminary titled Ladies Love Roughnecks) but could not afford to release it with the financial responsibilities of running a label, so it was permanently shelved.[7] Instead, they released a selection of singles and guest spots with other artists.

1993 saw several tracks released as singles: "How's Life in London" / "Shut the Fuck Up" / "How I Make Papes" (Bullit), the "How's Life in London Bogle remix", produced by Dobie and Tony Gadd (of Aswad), "Supermodel / Here Comes The Rugged One" (Bullit) (produced by DJ Devastate), and the Kicks Like a Mule produced "Pass Me The Rizla" (on the Ruffness: The British Underground EP). The following year saw "Funky Rhyme Funky Style", released with PD3. The group separated in 1995, and started moving in different circles to each other. Bionic teamed up with Stevie Hyper D and ventured into drum and bass MCing while Rodney P stayed with hip hop. Both MCs recorded independently to one another: Bionic released a double A side D+B 12" produced by Peter Parsons (aka Voyager); one side was a remix of "Live Life The Other Half Do" and the other was "Feds", a solo track. Rodney was asked by producer Dobie to guest on a remix of the Björk track "I Miss You"; following this Rodney and Dobie collaborated again on Dobie's release "Love and Hate (Can Never Be Friends)".

London Posse reformed briefly in 1996, and their final release was "Style"[11] (Bullit), a drum and bass influenced track produced by Bionic which also featured a remix by The Nextmen (the Nextmen's first official remix).[9][12]

After the group disbanded, Bionic moved fully into drum and bass MCing and worked closely with Stevie Hyper D before Stevie's death in 1998. He then recorded with Tricky on the Juxtapose album (1999) under the name "Mad Dog" and also contributed to Tricky's 2000 EP Mission Accomplished.[13]

Rodney P formed a long-standing partnership with DJ Skitz to host a BBC Radio 1Xtra show and released a solo album – The Future – in 2004.[9] (An unreleased 2002 version of the album featured a track called "Hip Hop Gangster", featuring Sipho on beatbox).[14] He has also worked with the Dub Pistols, the Nextmen, Freq Nasty, Skinnyman, Roots Manuva and Roni Size.

In 2001, Word Play Records reissued the album Gangster Chronicle, adding some (but not all) of the later material such as "How's Life in London" and "Pass the Rizla". A double CD reissue of this album featuring previously unreleased recordings and contemporary remixes was scheduled for June 2013.

Sipho died in 2004.[15]

Discography

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Albums

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Singles

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  • "London Posse" / "My Beatbox Reggae Style" (1987, Big Life) – UK Indie No. 11
  • "Money Mad" (1988, Justice)
  • "Live Like the Other Half Do" / "Money Mad (Remix)" (1989, Mango)
  • "Tell Me Something" / "Original London Style" (1990, Mango)
  • "Jump Around (Nomad Soul)" / "Gangster Chronicle Remix" / "Jump Around" (1991, Mango)
  • "How's Life in London" / "How I Make Papes" / "Shut the Fuck Up" (1993, Bullitt)
  • "How's Life in London (Ragga Mix)" (1993, Bullitt)
  • "Supermodel" / "Here Comes the Rugged One" (1993, Bullitt)
  • "Live Like the Other Half Do (Remix)" / "Feds" (credited to 'Jungle'; 1995, Bullitt)
  • "Style" / "Style (Next Men Remix)" (1996, Bullitt)

Guest appearances

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  • "Pass the Rizla" (Ruffness: The British Underground EP) (XL, 1993)
  • "Funky Rhyme, Funky Style" (PD3 featuring London Posse) (from the Noisy Music EP) (Payday, 1994)

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
London Posse was a British hip hop group formed in London in 1986, initially comprising MCs Rodney P and Bionic, human beatbox artist Sipho, and DJ Biznizz, and recognized for pioneering an authentic UK rap aesthetic through the use of British accents, Cockney slang, Jamaican patois, and soundsystem-derived reggae fusions rather than mimicking American styles. The group emerged from South London's multicultural hip hop and soundsystem scenes, drawing on members' West Indian heritage and early influences like Boogie Down Productions to craft bass-heavy tracks depicting gritty urban life in council estates, pirate radio culture, and social struggles. Their debut album, Gangster Chronicle (1990), produced largely in-house with contributions blending golden age hip hop beats, dub effects, sparse drum machines, and reggae rhythms, featured standout singles like "Money Mad" that offered raw social commentary on economic disparity and street hustling, earning it acclaim as a foundational text for British rap's independent voice. Despite commercial hurdles—including label collapses at Big Life and Mango Records that left a follow-up album unreleased—the duo of Rodney P and Bionic persisted with independent singles such as "How's Life in London" (1993), which integrated drum and bass elements, solidifying their legacy as influencers on subsequent UK artists like Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal by prioritizing cultural specificity over market-driven imitation. The group's impact endures through reissues like Gangster Chronicles: The Definitive Collection (2013) and sporadic reunions, including a 2017 stint honoring Sipho's memory, underscoring their role in elevating UK hip hop from niche imitation to a genre with gravitational pull rooted in local realism.

History

Formation and Early Activities (1985–1989)

The London Posse emerged in 1987 from the burgeoning hip hop and soundsystem culture, with founding members Sipho (the human beatbox), (initially performing as MC Rodie Rok), Bionic, and DJ Biznizz. The group's formation built on prior local involvement in the UK scene, where had been MCing with acts like MC Mell'O', reflecting the mid-1980s influx of hip hop influences from New York amid the UK's early adoption of , , and . In 1986, prior to their official debut, the nascent lineup received an invitation from and Mick Jones (formerly of ) to support on a UK tour, providing early exposure and solidifying their commitment to a localized style blending hip hop with elements. This period included a formative trip to New York in late 1986, where they connected with , gaining insights that emphasized authentic representation over imitation of American rap. Rodney P later described their approach as improvisational, focused on "representing us and where we came from," amid the challenges of adapting US-originated genre to British vernacular. The group's initial recording output came in 1987 with their self-titled debut single on Big Life Records, produced by , featuring tracks like "London Posse" and "My Beatbox Reggae Style" that documented their transatlantic experiences and showcased Sipho's alongside -infused production. This release marked one of the earliest efforts by a British act to prioritize indigenous slang and rhythms in hip hop, followed in 1988 by "Money Mad" on Justice Records, which further highlighted their critique of materialism through London-centric lyrics. These activities positioned London Posse as pioneers in establishing a distinct identity within the genre, amid a scene dominated by American imports.

Breakthrough with Gangster Chronicle (1990)

Gangster Chronicle, the debut studio album by London Posse, was released in 1990 on Mango Records, marking the group's first full-length project after years of independent singles and performances. The album featured production primarily from Sparki of Jus Badd Cru, who handled six tracks alongside remixes, blending raw hip hop beats with reggae-infused MCing and urgent, street-level energy recorded over a few weeks. Key singles like "Money Mad" and "Jump Around" showcased the group's storytelling prowess, delving into themes of urban life and financial struggle with authentic London vernacular. This release represented a pivotal for London Posse in the UK hip hop scene, establishing them as pioneers by infusing American hip hop aggression with distinctly British flair, including slang and local cultural references that resonated beyond imported styles. Critics and historians regard it as foundational—"ground zero" for indigenous UK hip hop—demonstrating that British MCs could succeed using their native voice rather than mimicking US accents, thus influencing subsequent generations of artists. In 2007, Hip Hop Connection magazine voted Gangster Chronicle the most important UK hip hop of all time, underscoring its enduring cultural impact despite limited commercial chart success at the time. The album's reception highlighted its raw innovation, with tracks like "Livin' Pancoot" and "Remedy Ain't No Illusion" praised for capturing youthful defiance and , though its full appreciation grew retrospectively amid a scene dominated by and trends. London Posse's insistence on lyrical authenticity over crossover appeal solidified their underground credibility, paving the way for a more localized hip hop identity that challenged the era's prevailing imitation of American .

Label Troubles and Disbandment (1991–1994)

Following the release of Gangster Chronicle in 1990, London Posse encountered significant challenges with their record label, Records, a of . Mango's closure by its parent company in the early 1990s disrupted ongoing projects, including preparations for a second album, as funding was abruptly withdrawn. The group retained the masters to their existing material due to a favorable relationship with Mango personnel, but the instability prevented timely follow-up releases and exacerbated financial strains, with advances being reinvested directly into label operations rather than personal or production use. In response, London Posse transitioned to Records, an independent imprint established in collaboration with their manager Errol Bull, allowing for self-managed releases but introducing new hurdles in promotion and distribution. Key singles emerged in 1993, including the EP How's Life in ? (produced by Dobie and Billy Biznizz) and "Here Comes the Rugged One" / "Supermodel" (produced by DJ Devastate), both on Bullitt. Additional contributions appeared that year on compilations, such as "Pass Me the " for ' Ruffness EP, while 1994 saw "Funky Rhyme, Funky Style" (produced by Billy Biznizz and Mysterious K) on the Pass the Mic EP. These efforts, however, suffered from limited resources, as the group lacked the backing to complete and market a full-length follow-up, leading to incomplete sessions marked by perfectionism and logistical bottlenecks. Internal tensions compounded these external pressures, with creative disagreements and studio arguments arising amid financial demoralization and diverging artistic interests. Bionic Groover increasingly explored influences, collaborating with figures like Stevie Hyper D by 1994, while expressed frustration over the inability to capitalize on prior momentum. Though no singular acrimonious split occurred, the combination of label instability and personal strains eroded group cohesion by 1994, setting the stage for an effective hiatus as members pursued independent paths.

Members and Roles

Core Members: Rodney P and DJ Bizzy B

, born Rodney Karl Panton Edwards on December 12, 1969, in , , served as the primary MC and lyricist for London Posse, delivering rhymes in his native accent to pioneer authentically British hip hop flows. His role involved crafting verses that blended local slang, influences from his heritage, and street-level observations, as evident in tracks like "How's Life in London," where he asserted cultural specificity over American mimicry. DJ B, also styled as DJ Biznizz or Billy Biznizz, handled the group's , , and mixing duties, drawing from his experience as a B-Boy and DJ active in the UK scene since 1982. As a founding member of the Live 2 Break crew, he contributed to Posse's raw, soundsystem-rooted energy, particularly in early performances and recordings that emphasized live DJ elements over polished production. Following lineup shifts, including the departure of beatboxer Sipho and MC Bionic after the 1987 debut single, and DJ B emerged as the enduring creative nucleus, sustaining the group's output through the 1990 album Gangster Chronicle.

Early and Supporting Contributors

Bionic, also known as Bionic MC, served as an original rapper in London Posse's lineup during its formation in 1986, contributing to early performances alongside Rodney P during tours supporting Big Audio Dynamite. Sipho the Human Beatbox, who initiated the group's assembly by recruiting members for the 1986 Big Audio Dynamite tour, provided beatboxing and vocal percussion in the initial configuration, drawing from UK soundsystem traditions. Both departed after the release of early singles, with Sipho exiting following the 1987 track "My Beatbox Reggae Style" to pursue solo endeavors, and Bionic stepping away amid lineup shifts by 1989, leaving the group to reform as a core duo. Supporting contributors included producers who shaped the group's nascent sound. co-produced the debut single "London Posse" in 1987 on Big Life Records, alongside engineer Bryan "Chuck" New, infusing reggae-inflected hip hop elements reflective of the era's scene. Sparkii, a figure from the hip hop community and member of Jus Badd Crew, handled production on early demos and remixes such as "Money Mad," bridging the group's live energy with studio refinement before later contributing as a . Additional early associates encompassed MC Mell'O', who collaborated informally in mid-1980s sessions and performances, and engineers like No Sleep Nigel, aiding tape recordings during formation. These figures provided foundational creative and technical input amid the nascent British hip hop landscape, though the group credited self-production for much of its initial output.

Musical Style and Influences

Fusion of UK Vernacular and Hip Hop Roots

London Posse distinguished themselves in the late by integrating authentic British linguistic elements into hip hop, diverging from the prevailing trend among artists of adopting American accents and idioms to mimic rap. Formed in 1986, the group—primarily featuring MCs and Bionic—initially experimented with faux American styles but pivoted to employing Cockney-inflected accents and vernacular , marking a conscious effort to root hip hop in local cultural realities. This shift was evident in their 1988 single "Money Mad," which incorporated British colloquialisms and patois-derived phrasing drawn from 's multicultural sound system scene, blending them over breakbeat-driven production reminiscent of New York hip hop origins. The fusion extended to lyrical content that reflected everyday urban life, such as in "Livin' Pancoot" from their album Gangster Chronicle, where "pancoot" served as for an unattractive woman, capturing casual street without translation or . This approach merged hip hop's rhythmic cadences and sampling techniques—sourced from and records—with Jamaican-influenced toasting traditions prevalent in British pirate radio and club cultures, creating a hybrid that prioritized regional authenticity over imported aesthetics. later emphasized this as a deliberate reclamation, stating the group aimed to "sound like ourselves" amid a scene dominated by imitation. Their track "Original London Style" exemplified this synthesis, with verses alternating between rapid-fire Cockney slang and hip hop battle rhyme schemes, underscoring a causal link between London's immigrant sound systems—fusing reggae, dub, and early rap—and the emergence of a vernacular British rap form. By eschewing phonetic Americanization, London Posse challenged the assumption that hip hop required US cultural mimicry for credibility, instead leveraging the UK's post-Windrush diaspora influences to forge a proto-grime and foundation. This stylistic innovation, rooted in empirical adaptation to local phonetics and idioms, influenced subsequent artists to prioritize native expression, as evidenced by the group's role in shifting British hip hop from derivative to indigenous.

Lyrical Themes and Production Techniques

London Posse's lyrics emphasized authentic depictions of street life, incorporating rhyming slang, , and English to convey everyday experiences of young Black Britons, such as in "Money Mad" and between rich and poor in "Live Like the Other Half Do." Their content avoided American tropes, instead focusing on localized swagger, partying (""), romantic pursuits ("Livin’ Pancoot"), and cannabis culture ("Remedy For The Black Ash Blues"), with and Bionic engaging in competitive verse-writing to ensure vivid, non-imitative narratives reflective of their upbringing in reggae-influenced sound system environments. Critiques of inauthentic UK rappers adopting Yankee accents underscored their commitment to regional identity, delivering aggressive yet distinctly "London tough" flows over tracks like "How’s Life in London," which evoked a sinister urban edge without glorifying violence. In production, the group fused hip hop with reggae and soul elements, sampling vinyl sources like Dub Vendor 45s for "Money Mad" and layering multiple loops—such as three in "Original London Style"—using equipment like the Akai S950 sampler and Roland 202 space echo, often without time-stretching to retain organic sample character. DJ Bizzy B and collaborators like Sparkii Ski employed drum machines, trunk-rattling 808 bass, and swinging soul loops akin to late-1980s New York boom bap but adapted with dancehall syncopation and live bass lines, as in Eustace Williams' contribution to "Original London Style." Recordings involved extended sessions with multiple takes for precision, conducted in unconventional spaces like a rooftop studio in Acton, prioritizing high-fidelity mixes that echoed Jamaican sound system dynamics. This DIY methodology, influenced by both US hip hop pioneers and UK reggae traditions, distinguished their sound from contemporaneous "Brit-core" efforts by grounding it in British cultural fusion.

Discography

Studio Albums

Gangster Chronicle, the debut and sole studio album by London Posse, was released on 1 1990 by Mango Records, a division of . The LP, catalogued as MLPS 1066, features 10 tracks that fuse American hip hop influences with British vernacular, including standout singles "Money Mad" and "Original London Style". Production credits include Sparki and Twilight Firm, contributing to its raw, eclectic sound marked by reggae-infused beats and socially observant lyrics. No subsequent studio albums were produced by the group, as internal and label disputes led to its effective disbandment by the mid-1990s.
TitleRelease DateLabelFormat
Gangster Chronicle1 January 1990Mango RecordsLP

Singles and Compilations

London Posse released several singles primarily between and 1993, drawing from their early independent efforts and the promotion of their 1990 album Gangster Chronicle. The debut single, "London Posse" b/w "My Beatbox Style," appeared in 1987 on Big Life Records as a 12-inch vinyl, featuring the original lineup including MCs Rodie Rok and Bionic MC alongside human beatbox Sipho and DJ Biznizz. This was followed by "Money Mad" in 1988 on Justice Records, also a 12-inch release emphasizing their gritty urban narratives. Subsequent singles tied to Gangster Chronicle included "" in 1990 on Records, a 12-inch single highlighting upbeat production and London . "Live Like the Other Half Do" b/w "Money Mad (Remix)" emerged the same year, blending with remixed elements from prior work. Later output featured "How's Life in London?" in 1993, a 12-inch single on an independent label incorporating tracks like "Shut the Fuck Up" and "How I Make Papes," reflecting persistent label challenges. An additional single, "Style," surfaced in 1996, marking a sparse post-album phase. Compilations consist mainly of retrospective releases augmenting their core catalog with rarities and remasters. Best of London Posse: Gangster Chronicle, issued in 2001 on 10th Planet, extended the 1990 album with bonus tracks and remastered audio. Tru Thoughts followed with Gangster Chronicles: The Definitive Collection in 2011, a two-disc set compiling the original alongside 17 previously unreleased tracks from 1985–1990, including demos and alternate mixes. A 2012 edition of Best of London Posse: Gangster Chronicle on /Island reissued select singles and album cuts. These efforts preserved the group's influence amid limited original commercial success.

Reception and Legacy

Initial Commercial and Critical Response

Gangster Chronicle, the debut album by London Posse, was released on October 12, 1990, via Mango Records, a subsidiary of . It failed to register on the , reflecting limited mainstream commercial traction in an era when British hip hop remained largely underground and overshadowed by American imports. Prior exposure came from the 1987 single "London Posse," produced by , which peaked at number 11 on the UK Independent Singles Chart and charted for eleven weeks, contributing to the group's signing for the album. Despite this indie foothold, the album's sales were modest, with contemporary accounts noting it was "easily missed" amid broader market indifference to . Critically, Gangster Chronicle garnered acclaim within nascent hip hop circles for its bold fusion of London slang, patois, and reggae influences, marking a departure from mimicry of US styles. NME described it upon release as a "musical Molotov cocktail," praising its raw narratives of street life, police encounters, and bravado set against James Brown loops, Public Enemy-inspired effects, and dub reggae elements. The album's insistence on vernacular authenticity—eschewing American accents for Cockney and Jamaican patois—was seen as a pivotal assertion of British identity in rap, though its aggressive, juvenile tone limited appeal beyond specialist audiences. John Peel's airplay of early singles had built some radio buzz, yet overall initial press focused on its underground innovation rather than widespread endorsement.

Long-Term Impact on British Hip Hop

London Posse's pioneering use of authentic British accents, London slang, and reggae-infused production techniques established a template for indigenous hip hop, diverging from the prevailing imitation of American styles prevalent in the British scene. By in English on tracks like those from their 1990 album Gangster Chronicle, they encouraged subsequent artists to draw from local cultural contexts, including soundsystem traditions, thereby fostering a sustainable domestic rap identity. This influence extended to later generations, with their South London-rooted approach echoing in the lyricism of and the regional authenticity of grime MCs such as , who adapted similar localized storytelling and rhythmic fusions. Rodney P's ongoing contributions, including founding a record label, hosting on from 2006 onward, and producing documentaries like the 2019 BBC 4 series Beats, Bass & Bars, further amplified their role in mentoring and institutionalizing UK hip hop's evolution. Their legacy as foundational figures persists, with Gangster Chronicle—reissued in 2013—hailed as a seminal work that elevated standards for lyrical depth and cultural specificity, solidifying London Posse's status as enduring influencers in British hip hop's trajectory toward global recognition.

References

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