Illegal

Emerging amid the surge of youthful rap pairings that defined the opening years of the 1990s, Illegal originated as a project conceived by Atlanta-based producer Dallas Austin. Taking cues from the model established by Michael Bivins with Another Bad Creation and Jermaine Dupri with Kris Kross, Austin assembled the pair following an Atlanta rap convention. Lil Malik, identified as a cousin of Snoop Dogg and a native of Holly Hill, SC, joined forces with Mally G, who arrived from Philadelphia. These young artists projected a sharper edge than earlier acts in the same lane, actively rejecting the teen-rap label so they might register as equals to veteran figures in the genre. By the close of 1992 they issued the single “Head or Gut,” which circulated on college underground rap radio playlists. Their full-length debut, the eccentrically named The Untold Truth, appeared in August 1993. Although the pre-pubescent MCs displayed mainly promise on the record, its beats reflected seasoned craftsmanship, supplied in part by established names such as Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Erick Sermon, and Spearhead; the same three producers—Diamond D, Lord Finesse, and A.G.—also contributed guest verses. Following the duo’s 1994 split, both Jamal (formerly Mally G) and Lil Malik pursued solo releases, with Jamal later joining Erick Sermon’s Def Squad.