Brockton's Deadly Rap History

 The 2005 kidnapping and stabbing death of Brockton's top rapper, Jeffery Andrade a/k/a THE SIRE DUTCH, by three local scumbags marked only the beginning of a deadly chapter in the history of Brockon hip hop. Brockton rap is as grimey as it gets, in stark contrast to the false bravado gangstas of the Boston hip hop scene. Starting in 1986 with the 12" release of 'Thats What I Hate' by Brockton rap pioneers MASTERPIECE led by rapper/producer Ronnie Furr a/k/a RONNIE RUFF. 1986 Brockton Rap Group Da 3010 BASS BRUDDAS (Kelly Johnson, Dennis Neal and DJ Pee Wee), were known for their live rendition of 'Loose Booty'. In 1986 R-SQUARED GROOVE (Rich Cogliano and Ronnie McMurtry) recorded 'Pie in The Sky'. The summer of 1987 Steve 'SANDMAN' Dunn founded SFD PRODUCTIONS to promote his group TRECH EMCEES. The UNITED FURNITURE BUILDING on Montello Street housed some of Brockton's first Rap Studios. TOP NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT founded by PRIDE FAVORS was featured in the first issue of THE SOURCE. Soon.. other rap acts began playing the city. C.B.S (Allen McCottrel and Errol 'Sukie' Henry) and THE MASTERMIND were brief flashes in the late eighties pan. SMIT-RAT (Mark Smith) began his Hall of Fame career in the late eighties. One of the first local venues to begin hosting rap shows was McGLAUGHLINS on Warren Avenue. Robert "Bob" Dwelley's STUDIO GUAM was instrumental in promoting Brockton acts outside of the city. Other early performers were DJ DOOM (Richard Swanson), WUFO, SEAN T.M.D. (Sean Royster), DJ MORGZ (Mike Morgan), CHUCK KNOWLEDGE (Chuck Garner), CHILLY ROCK, KIDD (Ron Johnson), and S.D.C. PRODUCTIONS / SUPER DEF CREW (Shawn Monteiro, Deron Coleman, Corey Evans, and Pride Favors) who dropped a 12" in 1988, "JUICE IT UP". We also can't forget TREB-ONE (R.I.P.) the graffiti artist who also rhymed. 1990 had SFD PRODUCTIONS promoting sell-out shows at The WALKOVER CLUB on Perkins ave. In 1995 STREET POETS released their self titled instant classic featuring PUNCH Spiked with Poison. Early 1990's also had TRECH EMCEES, now with DJ SLAY playing for thousands at Tauntons ROSELAND BALLROOM. During the early-nineties Brocktons westside became a hot-bed of rap talent. 1997 has homegrown rapper JIMMY LUXURY (Jimmy Kelliher), being discovered in San Francisco and signed to major label, Sony 550. Kelliher would record two albums, and also featured on two movie soundtracks ("Go" and "Me, Myself and Irene"). NEW YOUTH MASSIKA (Dave Hagloff, Mike Beckman, Shaun Sharpe) emerged on the scene in the mid-90's with the help of DJ/MC MIKE. SFD PRODUCTIONS began promoting NEW YOUTH MASSIKA at The WALKOVER CLUB and had success with 1997's BROCKTON HIP HOP JAM & TALENT SHOW featuring TRECH EMCEES, NEW YOUTH MASSIKA, NAPALM, COOLER THAN SMACK (Van Bates and Dave Wedge), BLACK LABEL (Marky Royster, Perry Francis and Jay Royster) and at their first show ever BLUE STEEL (Naldo Cataldo, Jeffery Andrade and Eric Zarrella) won the Talent Show First Prize $100. Thus beginning a new era in the highly competitive Brockton Hip Hop scene. Many rappers cut their teeth at SFD PRODUCTIONS, THIRD FLOOR TRIBOU STUDIO, on Brocktons earliest AKAI MPC 3000. Other noteable acts began performing in the late nineties such as DJ ADMEN, P-ROD, DOPE QUALIFIED POET, JUKE BOX, KID KELVIS (Jim Kelliher), THE JERKS (Derek 'TURK' Zakrosky and Steve 'PIECE OF SHIT' Crowe) 24DOPE (Tommy 'Soprano' Boyle), THE BIRD (Jeff Katz)..

Class of 2012: Smit Rat

If you were around the Brockton rap scene during the 1990's you'll remember rapper / producer / DJ Mark Smith known as Smit Rat as a central figure in the studio and on stage. Many well known Brockton rap acts were helped in no small part by Smith's recording prowess, including New Youth Massika, Trech Emcees, Dutch and 4 FIFTH, The Rhyminal and the list goes on. Prior to 2000 Smit Rat presented Brockton Classics (forerunner of the Brockton Rap Hall of Fame) with over 100 one off's and rare brockton rap tracks recorded between 1987-1997. If you were not around during the nineties then please thank Mark Smith for filling in a decade's worth of Brockton rap music history, without which there may be no Brockton Rap Hall of Fame. Smit Rat appeared on 1999's underground release Brocktons Illest. We take this opportunity on our 5th anniversary to induct the Thomas Paine of  Brockton rap history, Mark 'Smit Rat' Smith.

Class of 2012: Jimmy Luxury

Jimmy Luxury is arguably the City of Champions most successful rapper of all time albeit Luxury a/k/a James Kelleher hardly made a name for himself as a rapper in the city of Brockton. It wasn't until he moved to San Francisco in the late nineties that he was discovered bartending at a local dive bar. Jimmy Luxury has released two albums. The first A Night in the Arms of...was released in 1999. The second album, Hotels, Limousines and Lawn Chairs, was released in 2002. Luxury also has songs featured on the Me, Myself and Irene, Go and Ocean's Eleven soundtracks.

Jimmy Luxury and the Tommy Rome Orchestra Live at Vielles Charrues France July 20 2002.

Class of 2011: D. Lopes

Brockton rapper Daniel Dwayne Lopes a/k/a  D. Lopes along with producer J. Beats released "The Bright Darkness" in 2005. As a top Brockton rap artist, D. Lopes quickly became the King of Cape Verdean Hip Hop. The team went on to receive the award for "2006 Best Original Hip-Hop Performance" on BET's number one syndicate 106th and Park, twice, and on both occasions they won by a landslide. D. Lopes also received "Best Cape Verdean Artist of 2006" award from ForCv. With the 2007 release of Concrete Intelligence, D. Lopes cemented his legacy as one of the premier Brockton rappers ever.

Class of 2011: Broken Bang

Broken Bang, members Milli Stax, Phat Peazy, Haze Carrera and BirdManZ'no have been major players in the Brockton hip hop scene since 2000. With the advent of MySpace, Broken Bang became household names in and around the city of Brockton. 

As their individual stars continue to rise the Brockton Rap Hall of Fame would be remiss if we waited any longer in inducting one of the biggest name rap groups in Brockton history. This is Marky 'BirdManZ'no' Royster's second appearance  as a main member of a hall of fame rap group. (Black Label 2009). Haze Carrera and Phat Peazy are on the short list of sure fire future Brockton  rap hall of famers.

Class of 2011: Ronnie Ruff

In 1986 Ronnie Furr aka Ronnie Ruff, along with Mike Oglesby released a true Brockton classic EP 'Thats What I Hate' with B side 'Draws' on High Records under the group name Masterpiece.  DJ Ronnie Ruff has been rocking parties with his DJ and remixing ability since the early 80's. As a popular radio and Club DJ in the late 80's and early 90's, Ruff created Ruff Productions. In 1992 Smoov Wit Da Ruffness, a group produced and marketed by Ruff won the 'Outstanding New Rap Act' at the Boston Music Awards. 

Every local rapper, group and DJ from then on out owes a real debt of gratitude to this Brockton legend and THE original rap pioneer. Ruff has gone on as a successful Disc Jockey and a very well deserved Brockton rap hall of famer.

Class of 2011: Grover

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