SXSW 2012

Hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Billy Danze and Lil Fame, collectively known as M.O.P., have solidified their reputation as iconic lyricists through their years of hard-hitting rhymes and unparalleled tenacity. Never compromising their style and having shared the mic with industry greats such as Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Styles P, Guru, ODB, Busta Rhymes, and Redman, just to name a few, the duo has rightfully earned its status as one of the most revered acts in hip-hop today. In the early ‘90s, Fame and Danze formed the hardcore group M.O.P. (Mash Out Posse) and subsequently released their debut single, "How About Some Hardcore," which soon became popular and led to the release of their first album, To The Death, in the spring of 1994. Two years later, they delivered Firing Squad. Their third record First Family 4 Life was released in March of 1998; Warriorz followed two years later, spawning the hit “Ante Up.” The success of Warriorz helped raise M.O.P.’s profile and garnered some mainstream radio attention. Label issues left the band adrift around 2002 until they were picked up by Roc-A-Fella Records and appeared on Jay-Z’s The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse. Although the group stayed active recording and making appearances on soundtracks, Rock-a-Fella did not release a full-length album from M.O.P. and the band parted-ways with the label 2005. They then signed with G-Unit Records and released the compilation M.O.P. Salutes the St. Marxmen. M.O.P. next released Guerilla Warfare -- recorded and shelved by Rock-a-Fella -- in 2006, and in 2008, the band released The Legends Underground, Vol. 5 and announced they had ended their deal with G-Unit Records. In 2009, M.O.P. released The Foundation through E1 Music. Two years later, the group went on to release Sparta, entirely produced by German production team The Snowgoons, through Babygrande Records.