Chain Gang Authentic
The year was 1991, Roosevelt High School (Dallas,Tx) 3 classmates began to form a group known as the V Squad which consisted of Abraham Sampson whom at the time was known as Dj Genesis which later became Dj Nitro. The first 3 of 27 Aliases that really grew into one artist having 27 Aliases; 27 different styles of lyricism. Also in the group was Dalvin Issac and Tony Johnson (New York) had transferred to Roosevelt from the Bronx. Tony was very instrumental in shaping the sound of V Squad because of his East Coast upbringing, Tony had a very interesting style of spitting his rhymes. Dude was true Hip Hop, straight from the source of it. With this type of influence on the group, anyone involved would have to adapt to this high level of emcing. Towards the end of 91, the group later on changed the name of V Squad to Chain Gang. Siting that the V was not symbolic enough of what their group should be. It stood for "Villain" something made popular by MC REN of NWA in the late 80s and shortly entering the 90s, many were calling themselves Villain. During the year of 92, Abraham was focusing on graduating from High School while Dalvin and Tony whom lived in the same apartment complex began to miss a lot of days at school. Abraham hasn't heard from nor been in contact with either member still to this day.
After Graduation, Abe reconnected with his Father after nearly 5 years of not seeing or hearing from him. Now married with step children, Abe was invited to a Family Gathering that made way for him to met another EMCEE whom would later on become the 4th member of Chain Gang. It was at this time when his step-sister handed him the phone and said, "This is my homeboy that I want you to meet because he raps too." After 2 minutes of conversation, the two exchanged numbers and shortly after began to write songs together off and on. Grim Reeper, another one of Abe's friends would come by from time to time and work on songs. With the use of a little Jambox, they recorded demos over various instrumentals belonging to other artists. (Same shit that everybody does now) With nothing really happening or etched in stone as to being a collective act, everyone was in limbo.
A few months later, Abraham was asked to Dj for another group whom wanted him to add some scratches to their music. While making it plain that Abe was not a part of their group, the studio session that Abe was asked to attend, turned into an A&R situation. One of the group members was late due to working late and while Abe and the other Member whom was there waited, the Engineer asked them to go into 2 separate booths while he inspected the mic levels. While free-styling, Abe was told in his headphones, "Say man, come out the booth for a second." While the other member was in the other booth still rapping into the mic, going over his lyrics. Abe was greeted by the owner of the studio whom also had an Independent Label with ties to Ruthless Records. Seeing as though Abe was not obligated to anyone and as agreed not a member of their group. Abe signed his first contract with 12th West Records which was the Engineer's Independent Label; now performing under the Alias of "Skullminista". This contract turned out to be nothing more than a learning experience due to the literal fucking that WOULD'VE occurred had Abe been a legal age during the time he signed it. Dodging a bullet, Abraham continued to work with other artists and producers until he was connected with Oak Cliff Assassin of Lockdown Records by the same group whom wanted him to add cuts to their music. Hearing Abe's freestyle and seeing as though he was the Dj, Oak Cliff Assassin was reluctant to work with Abe. Abe was invited to the studio the following weekend and began recording professional demos with Oak Cliff Assassin and a few other members of Lockdown Records. After a few months had passed, Oak Cliff Assassin was dating a female at the time whom had a cousin that was looking to break into the industry. Word was, he was really good on a guitar which could be helpful. BUT....with Lockdown having so many whom wanted to join their label, OCA (Oak Cliff Assassin) asked was skeptical and didn't want to deal with someone else getting their hopes up high to join the label which was not looking for any other new artist. By this time, Abraham had an EPS-16 Sample Station (Keyboard). Same keyboard that the producer of 12th West Records had and the first professional piece of music equipment ever owned by Abe. So Abe set up a meeting to met this dude and making a long story somewhat short, the reformation of Chain Gang began. After hearing how good this guy was on a guitar, Abe was excited to work with the artist whom later became known as "Sweets" short for Sweet Daddy, the pimp, the player of the group. Sweets and Abe began to make tons of good music. Some of Chain Gang's earlier demo music was also produced by Sweets. After building a kinship of sorts, Abe and Sweets was in search of a 3rd member to finally complete the structure of Chain Gang (3plus members) However, Lockdown Records making a compilation album called "Strictly Underground Funk" 1st project that Abe and Sweets had ever been on after they joined OCA and Grim Reeper to form the group called Hollow Point. A group created strictly for the Album which birthed the 1st and only song Abe and Sweets participated on called, "Wreck Shit". Without having a 3rd member, Chain Gang was on the back burner until the earlier part of 93 when Abe received a call from a High School friend entailing that he had just been kicked out of College and was on his way back to Dallas in need of music. Unknown that Abe was now producing and looking for a 3rd member, this moment was Heaven sent; a killing of many birds with one stone. After Abe and Sweets told OCA about plans of starting a group called Chain Gang, the idea was a true jewel seeing as though the label was Lockdown Records and the artist were referred to as Inmates, a group called the Chain Gang was too fitting. Now with having "Blizack" the 3rd member, Chain Gang began to work on many songs with Abe writing mainly for the entire group. The 1st demo was "5 From Da Chamber" 5 tracks on a cassette tape that allowed them to build a fan base and following, spite the low-budget promotion.
With having some momentum, Chain Gang decided that a 4th member would be the icing on the cake. Abe told everyone about the the guy he met through his step-sister and with that meeting, Triggerman was then CG!
After signing with Black Label Management, Chain Gang began to perform and open up for many major artist. U.G.K. had a song out called "Tell Me Something Good" and were just starting out and Chain Gang was right behind them. The group was becoming well established in the Underground scene riding shit gun with Lockdown Records which was then Lockdown/VIP. With the help of Greg Street and Eazy Street, Chain Gang opened up for many top charting acts such as ICECUBE, E-40, ONYX, TOO SHORT & MC EIHT just to name a few.Band/artist history
Formed in 1991
1993- Promo EP "5 From Da Chamber"
1994- 1st debut on "A Hit Out On The Hitman" song: Dallas To Houston & Bulletproof
1995- Appeared on "Trialz Of A Madman" song: Homicide
1998- Appeared on "Mobbin' 9-8"Have you performed in front of an audience?We've done several shows in our time; nothing anything new. But our experience dates back to the early 90's when most clubs had corded mic systems and being all over the stage could be a dra sometimes. Now a days, technology has taken away that due that we paid many times. lol
Your musical influences
Everything in Hip Hop from about 1986-1996, that was the DOPE period! Emcee'n was lyricism, creativity, diction and energy. Being different and talking about your own situations. Everyone had their own lane and biters were disrespected and slept on.What equipment do you use?
ASR-10, TRITON, MPC, GaragebandAdmin
Alias
@Abraham Sampson
