Showbiz and A.G. (also known as Show and A.G.) are an American
hip hop duo from The Bronx, New York City. Showbiz is a producer
and A.G. (short for André the Giant) is a rapper. The two
debuted on Lord Finesse's Funky Technician album in 1990. Show and
A.G. are members of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.) along
with Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and the late
Big L.
The duo's first release was an EP titled Soul Clap, released in
1992, also known as Showbiz & A.G. They released their debut
album, Runaway Slave, the same year. A short version of their track "Soul
Clap" was included on the album, as well as past recordings
such as "Catchin' Wreck" and "Party Groove".
The posse cut "Represent" featured the first album appearance
of rapper Big L. Other album guests included Black Sheep's Dres,
Diamond D, Lord Finesse and Deshawn. In 1993, Showbiz became popular
for producing KRS-One's single Sound of da Police.
In 1994, Showbiz & A.G. made a guest appearance on Black Sheep's
second album Non-Fiction, on the track "E.F.F.E.C.T.".
Showbiz soon shortened his name to Show, changing the group name
to Show & A.G. Their 1995 album, Goodfellas, featured a darker
sound than their debut. Guest artists on the LP included D-Flow,
Lord Finesse, DJ Premier, Roc Raida, Dres, Method Man and Diamond
D. The most successful song from the album was DJ Premier's Nyte
Time Remix to the track "Next Level", the instrumental
was later featured in a battle scene in the film, 8 Mile.
[edit] Hiatus
Following the release of Full Scale (EP) in 1998, the duo stopped
releasing records and began concentrating on their work with D.I.T.C.
as well as solo projects. In 1999, A.G. released his solo debut,
The Dirty Version, which featured guest production from Show, Lord
Finesse, Buckwild, Diamond D and DJ Premier. Guest MC's included
Ghetto Dwellas heavily as well as Fat Joe, Diamond D, O.C., Guru,
KRS-One and Big Pun.
In 2000, Show & A.G. teamed up with the other members of D.I.T.C.
and released their self-titled group album on Tommy Boy Records.
Show was one of the executive producers of the project as well as
producing the tracks "Get Yours", "Where You At", "Way
Of Life", "Drop It Heavy", "Weekend Nights" and "Stand
Strong". A.G. appeared on the songs "Thick", "Day
One", "Foundation", "Drop It Heavy", "Stand
Strong", "Weekend Nights" and "Tribute",
a track made in memory of Big L, who was murdered in 1999.
After a hiatus between the release of the D.I.T.C. album and 2005,
Show released his first solo album Street Talk (D.I.T.C.) in November
2005. The album featured 18 new tracks performed by the likes of
O.C., Party Arty, Milano, Fat Joe, Ruck, Big Punisher and Big L over
Show's productions. It also saw A.G. and Show reunite as A.G. was
featured on 2 of the albums songs, "Chase Game" and "You
Ain't A Killer".
A.G.'s second solo album for Look Records titled Get Dirty Radio,
released October 31, 2006. A.G.'s Infected Intertainment and Record
Label is currently celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the release
of Showbiz & AG's "Runaway Slave" LP, one of Billboard's
Top Ten Underground LP's.
In 2007, they released a new EP entitled Live Hard on DITC Records,
their first new material in nearly a decade.
O.C. and A.G. released a collaborative album called Oasis in 2009.
The first single "2 For The Money" featured cuts by DJ
Premier and production by Showbiz.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Showbiz and A.G.
Album information
Soul Clap (EP)
* Released: March 17, 1992
* Label: Payday Records
Runaway Slave
* Released: September 22, 1992
* Label: Payday Records
* Billboard 200 chart position: -
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #78
* Singles: "Soul Clap"/"Party Groove", "Fat Pockets"/"Silence
of the Lambs (Remix)", "Bounce ta This"/"Hold Ya Head"
Goodfellas
* Released: May 30, 1995
* Label: Payday Records/Fffr Records
* Billboard 200 chart position: -
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #23
* Singles: "Next Level"/"Next Level (Nyte Time Mix)", "Got
the Flava"/"You Know Now"