Tragedy- Saga of a Hoodlum

Against All Odds	The Death of Tragedy The original Queensbridge rhymer and Juice Crew legend follows up his five critically acclaimed albums, "The Intelligent Hoodlum", "Tragedy", "Saga Of A Hoodlum", "Against All Odds" and "Still Reporting" as well as his recent 'Thug Matrix' mix CD editions with an all new full-l...	Once Upon a Time in America	Between a Rock and a Hard Place As former graf artists, MCs Tame One and El Da Sensei gained fans among writers worldwide with their ode to spray-can art on "Wrong Side of the Tracks." Post new-school artists with an old school bent, the Artifacts smartly meshed their own frenetic rhyme pacing with heavy, blunt...	The Natural
Thug Matrix 2 Tragedy began his career in the late 80s as a teenage emcee hailing from the infamous Queensbridge projects, the same houses that would also birth Nas, Mobb Deep, Capone N’ Noreaga (whom Tragedy put on and mentored) and Cormega. He initially worked and recorded with QB produce...	Word...Life	Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em	Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop Diamond D's 1992 debut album may not have been hip-hop's first producer-driven album (far from it), but it was one of the first after the new-school era that suggested superior music could overcome lackluster lyrics. Not that Diamond wasn't nice on mic, but his rhymes were a triu...	Jewelz

The Saga continues
Three years passed between Tragedy Khadafi's debut and the follow-up, 1993's "Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum." 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. Percy Chapman is a truly special rapper, and "Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum" is a well-rounded album that fans of Khadafi and the 90s East Coast sound will like. 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. 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 '93, this effort was somewhat overlooked, and he didn't return with another album until 2001's Against All Odds as Tragedy Khadafi, which marked a drastic change in style. Despite a broad range of sound, all of his LPs are great, and I highly recommend this one. Although it is long out of print, it was reissued in a package with his debut in 2007 (Intelligent Hoodlum/Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum). Check this out if you love East Coast hip hop.

Hoodlum - Past / Intelligent - Future
This 1993 release from the Intelligent Hoodlum Tragedy titled Saga Of A Hoodlum is a good conscious effort and wins for hip-hop / rap. "Shalom A Leck" has memorable piano chord and high pitch notes. Taking us to the "Underground" featuring Fishbone, this track contains the instrumentation of horns and an organ to lead the way to another aspect from down under. Describing the tones and style of music Tragedy calls "Funk Mode" is a tune over an up-tempo sample. Substance is the strength of this LP as he speaks of death on both versions of "Grand Groove". He tackles racism and injustice for African-Americans and what should be done on "At Large". After the injustice Tragedy takes us on "Death Row" and thoughts of an innocent felon. Giving him shine and reasoning for shining he takes another direction on "Mad Brothas Know His Name". "Pass The Teck" featuring Havoc (Mobb Deep) is spraying shots at competition as the microphone gets passed between the two. He describes life and reality of American poverty in the ghetto on "Street Life" and "Role Model". "Pump The Funk" is about playing the sounds loud in your car system as he story tells about what happens as he drives. He give a hint of history in the Wild West on "The Posse (Shoot 'Em Up)" of black cowboys. Production and the ability to conceive story of reality with a lyrical prowess is what makes this album worth checking. If you're interested in his latest material he now goes by the name Tragedy Khadafi not Intelligent Hoodlum Tragedy.

"Tragedy the rebel is still here"
Way back in 1986, I heard a song called "THE TRAGEDY" on the legendary Mr. Magic's "RAP-ATTACK" show on 107.5 WBLS in New York. On the song , you can hear the voice of a very young MC with a superior flow. Two years after that, I hear the song "The Rebel" on the "Marley-Marl in control, vol.1" compilation, and I was sure that this kid was one of the illest MC's coming outta' Queensbridge! By 1989, he claims to be "THE INTELLIGENT HOODLUM". Then in the early '90's "KHADAFI" was born! Since the days of "JUICE CREW ALL-STARS", Tragedy has held down the Fort as the top QU soldier in the field. Able to drop science, wisdom, knowledge and mathematics with a street gangster perspective and yet sound eloquent. Tragedy is one of the most talented MC's ever to bless the mic and this CD shows and proves! More of that good ol' NYC Boom-Bap! A must have!

Mad Brothas know his Name!
For any hip hop head this ones for you! Very rugged/rough and production is tight!

Good album
I was a little disapointed to find out that the version's of "Da funk mode" and "pass da tek" weren't the versions produced by Extra P, which have far superior beats, but they are still good. Other than that it's a straight up unapologetic old school hip hop album and should be included in anyones collection.