Blaq Poet

This prolific Queensbridge MC debuted alongside DJ Hot Day in 1987 with the BDP diss track “Beat You Down.” Later known as PHD, the duo released one overlooked LP, WITHOUT WARNING, in 1991 on Tuff City Records--as well as a string of underground 12-inches through 1996, when Poet, alongside fellow QB natives Hostyle, Solo, and his cousin KL, founded Screwball, christened in honor of a deceased friend. Characterized by furious rhyme flows and uncompromisingly brutal lyrics, Screwball won over hardcore fans and courted controversy for their 1999 attack on then-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, “Who Shot Rudy?” After two acclaimed LPs--Y2K (2000) and LOYALTY (2001)--Screwball disbanded and Poet signed with DJ Premier’s Year Round label.