Kaliphz
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2011) |
Kaliphz | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1992–1997 |
| Labels |
|
| Past members | Jabba Da Hype 2-Phaan Poet Saqi Chok the funky Polak Seftonik the Demonik DJ XL Sniffa Dawg N.A.D |
Kaliphz were a
History
Kaliphz were formed in
duo formed a breakdance and graffiti crew called Dizzy Footwork, Dizzy footwork were formed and inspired by the Original Members of Dizzy Footwork Crew Mush, Zulf, and Peps childhood friends from the Wardleworth area of Rochdale. Kaliphz were ultimately born out of Dizzy footwork. Mush and Jabba also began to do rap based politically charged spoken word
performances under the name Nu Konshus Kaliphz. They were joined by Poet Saquib who managed the band for a short while, Chok the Phunky Polak, DJ XL, Sniffa Dog NAD and Sefton to form the first line up of what became the Kaliphz.
In 1993, the
London Records and Payday records in the US. Funk Regulators recorded and produced the Kaliphz debut album along with a track for the soundtrack to the film Shopping. The album, Seven Deadly Sins (Payday/FFRR, 1995) featured a strong political and anti-racist stance, and received moderate critical acclaim, but London Records were not satisfied with its sales. The group expanded with the addition of Leeds
-based rapper Wiz (aka Oddball, real name Paul Edmeade) who had recently departed the group Breaking the Illusion.
Following this, London's
A&R man Pete Tong suggested them to Jive Records, who paired the group with the record producer Pete Waterman. Under Waterman's influence, and record label
pressure, the group changed their name again to Kaleef and moved their musical style in a more pop direction. This led to the recording of their second album, 53rd State of Mind (Jive, 1997). Unhappy with the directions they were moving in, the group split shortly after the release of their second album.
The band appeared in the
UK Singles Chart with (as Kaliphz) "Walk Like a Champion" (Payday/FFRR, 1995) featuring boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, and (as Kaleef) "Golden Brown" (Jive, 1997) - a re-working of The Stranglers song about drug use.[1]
Discography
Albums
As Kaliphz:
- Seven Deadly Sins (Payday/FFRR, 1995)
As Kaleef:
- 53rd State of Mind (Jive, 1997)
Singles
| Year | Title Y I'm Ez | UK Singles Chart[1]
|
Credited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Walk Like a Champion" | #23 | Kaliphz featuring Prince Naseem |
| 1996 | "Golden Brown" | #22 | Kaleef |
| 1997 | "Trials of Life" | #75 | Kaleef |
| 1997 | "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" | #58 | Kaleef |
| 1998 | "Sands of Time" | #26 | Kaleef |
References
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
