Godfather Don

Godfather Don emerged as an influential presence in New York City's underground hip-hop community when he debuted in 1991 via the album Hazardous on the Select label. This project positioned him as an MC drawing from Chuck D's direct and forceful approach. Several years afterward, he contributed to and handled production duties on Ultramagnetic MC's' Four Horsemen, sparking a partnership with the crew's prominent member Kool Keith. Fondle 'Em Records, founded by New York b-boy, DJ, and local figure Bobbito Garcia, put out the Cenobites EP. Its tracks had initially been created as humorous bits or promotional segments for Garcia's underground hip-hop program on New York's WKCR. Fondle 'Em later expanded the Cenobites EP into a complete LP. Godfather Don maintained his role as a producer across the 1990s, crafting beats for Kool Keith, Hostyle, Ayatollah, and additional artists. Diabolique, his follow-up full-length from 1999, showcased a delivery echoing the aggressive rhymes of his first record and featured guest spots by Kool Keith alongside Sir Menelik. Issued through the Hydra Entertainment label, the project marked the beginning of further output on that imprint, including multiple 12" singles between 1999 and 2001.