Outsidaz: The Underground Hip-Hop Collective
The Outsidaz are a sprawling American hip-hop collective from Newark, New Jersey, renowned for their raw lyricism and dense roster of talented MCs. Their primary achievement lies not in chart dominance but in their profound influence on the East Coast underground scene and their role as a launching pad for several major artists.
Early career
The group began to coalesce in the early 1990s around core members Pace Won, Young Zee, and Az Izz. Operating as a loose collective, they built a formidable reputation through intense live performances and demo tapes, eventually catching the attention of the legendary DJ and producer, DJ Skribble.
This connection led to their first major label involvement when Skribble signed them to his Hittin' Hard Records imprint, distributed by Priority Records. Their official debut came in 1996 with the EP The Night Life, which introduced their gritty, battle-rap-influenced style to a wider audience.
Breakthrough
The Outsidaz's breakthrough moment arrived in 2000 with the release of their only full-length studio album, The Bricks. The album was released on Rufflife Records, a label distributed by Tommy Boy Records, granting them significant distribution.
While The Bricks did not achieve major commercial chart success, it was critically acclaimed for its lyrical complexity and the sheer force of its collaborative energy. The album's release was bolstered by the rising fame of collective members who had found success elsewhere.
Key tracks
The Bricks — This title track showcases the collective's signature posse-cut style, with multiple members trading verses over a hard-hitting beat.
Love Is... — Featuring then-labelmate Eminem, this track highlighted the group's connection to the superstar and brought them considerable attention.
Won On Won — A standout solo showcase for Pace Won, this song demonstrated the individual skill present within the crew.
The Radar — This track is a prime example of the group's dense, rapid-fire lyrical delivery and internal chemistry.
The collective's legacy is deeply intertwined with the success of its members beyond the group. Young Zee and Pace Won were integral parts of the "Slim Shady LP" era, appearing on Eminem's landmark debut and its subsequent tour. Another key affiliate, Rah Digga, found success as the lone female MC in the Flipmode Squad, while members like Az Izz and Slang Ton contributed to projects for Wyclef Jean and others.
Despite never achieving platinum sales, the Outsidaz maintained a consistent presence in the underground. They released several mixtapes and independent projects throughout the 2000s, including Prequel to the Bricks and Blood, Sweat & Tears, solidifying their status as cult icons in hip-hop circles.
Artists with a similar gritty, lyrical focus from the same era include The Roots. Both groups prioritize live-band energy and complex wordplay. The Beatnuts share a similar East Coast underground ethos and collaborative spirit. Jurassic 5 also operated as a large collective focused on lyrical craftsmanship and positive hip-hop, though with a different sonic palette.
The raw, authentic sound of the Outsidaz finds a home on various independent music radio stations and specialty hip-hop shows that champion the golden era and underground scenes. Their tracks are regularly featured in rotations dedicated to classic East Coast rap and lyrical masterclasses.
You can hear the influential hip-hop of the Outsidaz on radio stations featured on our website. Discover their classic tracks and the work of their many members by tuning into the underground and classic hip-hop stations available on onairium.com.
