Section 8 Mob

STORY

The Section 8 Mob was a Rap Group hailing from the Washington, DC/Capitol Heights, MD area. They were active in the 90's and the early 2000's and are considered as pionneers in the DMV (District/Maryland/Virginia) Rap Scene. It was also the first D.C. rap group to sign a major record deal.

The section 8 Mob differs widely from the go-go rappers that were prominent in the 90's in D.C. They rather had a rough East Coast oriented sound mixed with some West Coast typical elements (synths, heavy bass lines...) to support their street based lyrics.

The Section was founded in 1992 by "Po" Johns. In 1994, they released a first album, "Controlled Dangerous Substance" under Dark City Records. The lyrics were mainly handled by Po, Big E, Chow & Vibe. They depict the rough side of the streets of D.C. This album, which is very underrated, is a local classic. Two clips were shot ("Murder Cap" & the single "No Love")

In 1998, the section's efforts were finally rewarded when Tommy Boy offered them a major record deal. The following year, they released a single, "Repercussions" (with vocals by Jazze Pha), followed by their 2nd album, "Guilty By Association" (Dark City Records; Tommy Boy). This time, the line up consisted of Po, Midnight & Montana. It's overall a solid album.

The Section 8 Mob didn't release anything else but their members appeared in the 2003 movie "Guilty By Association", co-written by Po Johns & also starring Morgan Freeman as a Police Officer & female rapper Queen Pen. The movie is about an investigation following a tragic shoot-out in the D.C. projects. It was not a critical success...

Some members of the Section 8 Mob pursued a solo carreer, most notably Po, who's still active, & Montana aka Big Lyl untill his death in 2016, after beign shot several times in his home of Capitol Heights. Montana, whose real name was Khalil Wiggins, was 44 years old. He was very respected as a rap artist & was known as a positive figure in the streets, working with children & teaching them music.

If you never heard of him or the Section 8 Mob, you should check their work. Reality rap to the fullest...

ACTIVITY

1994 - 2001

LABEL(S)

Dark City Records, Tommy Boy