Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz

Hailing from the Bronx, Lord Tariq (Sean Hamilton) and Peter Gunz (Peter Pankey) first operated as the Gunrunners before forming their rap duo. Parallel solo pursuits also occupied both artists during that period. Shaquille O'Neal's T.W.is.M. label signed Gunz, whereas Tariq, simultaneously active in the Money Boss Players, contributed guest verses to tracks by the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, and Mobb Deep. After inking with Columbia and launching their Codeine subsidiary, the pair delivered their official introduction in 1997 via the Steely Dan-sampling "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)," a celebratory single that climbed into the pop Top Ten. Their sole album, Make It Reign, finally surfaced in June of the next year, yet later singles never matched the breakthrough's reach. Sporadic further recordings kept Tariq and Gunz sporadically in the studio. Gunz's son Cory later emerged as a recognized rapper linked to Def Jam and Young Money.