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Heltah Skeltah: Sean Price a.k.a. Ruck. and Rock a.k.a. Da Rockness Monstah
The Twin Towers of, Sean Price a.k.a. Ruck and Rock a.k.a Da Rockness Monstah, form Heltah Skeltah. Perhaps two of the most skilled members of the Boot Camp Clik, their unique personalities, lyrical abilities, and history have been a hip-hop story to remember.
Ruck (Sean Price) and Rock first appeared on Smif N’ Wessun’s 1995 debut, Da Shinin. The tracks “Wontime,” "Cession at da Doghillee," and "Let's Git It On," featured the two wrecking the mic mercilessly. In 1994, Duck Down Enterprizez expanded its roster from the highly successful Black Moon and Smif n Wessun, to signing both Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C.: Originoo Gunn Clappaz (Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah, and Top Dog).
In 1995, in what can be considered as a power-move in promotion, Heltah Skeltah collaborated with O.G.C. to form the legendary, Fab 5. The single, “Blah” was group’s official introduction to the public, and contained an energy that quickly established them as some of Brooklyn’s finest emcees. Other memorable cuts included, “Leflah Leflah of Eshkosha,” and, “Leflah.”
Out of all of the members, Price and Rock were given the most notice, due to their complex lyrical abilities, translucent flows, and distinct rhyme patterns. Price displayed a charismatic persona, stringing double-speak phrases together with ease. Rock came with a tougher, straight to the point style, pounding out words in a never ending fury. With lighter beats and an endless arsenal of battle raps, the Fab 5 was identified as true east-coast hip-hop to the fullest.
The Fab 5 project was a springboard for Heltah Skeltah’s 1996 debut, Nocturnal. Variations in production by Baby Paul, Buckshot, Evil Dee, and Mr. Walt, to name a few, helped create the changing canvas of eerie soundscapes in the mid-90’s . The lead single, “Operation Lock Down,” came off as a dark battle rap with an entrancing piano loop and concrete beat. With razor sharp verses, and hard punch-lines from both Price and Rock, it let critics know that Heltah Skeltah was not to be tested. In addition, The Fab 5 single, “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka,” appeared as a B-side track.
Nocturnal, was an ideal debut, selling over 250,000 units, ranking 5 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts, and gaining a “Best Group Of The Year” nomination from The Source Magazine.
In 1997, Heltah Skeltah fell in formation with the rest of the Boot Camp Clik to drop, For the People. Following the album’s release, Price and Rock made memorable guest appearances on “Da Cypher Part III (A Juice Crew Reunion),” and later recorded alongside Canibus and Ras Kas on “Uni-4-orm,” which was featured on the, Rhyme and Reason Soundtrack.
Heltah Skeltah's popularity and success shot north like a bullet train, as they dropped their 1998 hood acclaimed sophomore release, Magnum Force. The album had a grocery list of appearances including; The Outlawz, Method Man, Redman, and the Dogg Pound.
“I Ain’t Havin It,” gained attention for its fast rhymes and sampling A Tribe Called Quest’s "Hot Sex,” coming off as inconceivably gully. Although the single was held in high regard by fans, critics questioned the album’s light content. Possibly due to the negative reactions and internal conflicts, Price and Rock dissolved Heltah Skeltah, to peruse different interests.
Rock left Duck Down to attempt solo career, signing with DJ Lethal’s, Lethal Records. His solo debut, Planet Rock, never saw the light of day, due to the label’s folding. Afterwards, Rock disappeared all together, being the only original member of the Boot Camp Clik not to appear on 2002’s, The Chosen Few.
Price stayed with Duck Down releasing, the 12” singles, “Don’t Say Shit to Ruck,” and “Solidify”. The Donkey Sean Jr. Mixtape, was an early preview to tide fans over, until the official release of 2005’s, Monkey Barz. It was one-third of Duck Down Enterprizez’s promotional revamping, during the Triple Threat Summer.
Although fans longed for Heltah Skeltah to get back together, Price was respected as a talented solo artist. The album contained a dream team of producers; including Agallah, Khrysis, and 9th Wonder . It also featured appearances by the entire Boot Camp Clik, new comer Rustee Juxx, and the long awaited return of Rock.
History has a way of repeating itself and more often than not, it is stronger the second time around. In 2006, The Boot Camp Clik dropped their third release, The Last Stand. With Heltah Sketlah reunited, and all solders standing in rank, a new wave of energy emerged from the Camp, as if there was no dissolution at all.
Sean Price’s critically acclaimed Jesus Price SupaStar, was released in early 2007, Followed by a solo mix cd titled "Master P". Then in early 2008, Rock was arrested & charged with attempted murder, Immediately following his release from jail, Rock released his third solo mix cd project entitled "Shell Shock". While Rock's court case is still pending, & nearly a decade since the release of "Magnum Force", Heltah Skeltah is set to release their highly anticipated third LP "D.I.R.T." (Da Incredible Rap Team) In Stores Everywhere: Sept. 30th, 2008!!!
Sean P and Rock, have brought a charisma unique to the Boot Camp Clik, as well as the world of hip-hop music. Able to work well as individuals, when the two come together as Heltah Skeltah, they are an unstoppable duo.
