Coming off my first two albums, Return of the Boom Bap and the Rumpletilskinz shoots, I was still taking freelance assignments from The Source. At the time, I was heavily experimenting with film, but The Source specifically requested slides—they believed slide film delivered better results for print.
Because of that, these photos ended up being some of the most “normal” shots I ever took. Still, I couldn’t help myself. I played with slow shutter speeds and pushed the limits of the slide film wherever I could. In hindsight, it was a great exercise—working within constraints while still finding room to experiment.
The article focused on Showbiz and A.G., with production by Diamond D. At that time, rappers didn’t really understand why I’d ask them to hold still after the flash went off, or what it meant when I said the shutter was staying open. They didn’t question it—they trusted the process. They thought it was cool. They knew I was giving them something different, something thoughtful, and that I genuinely cared about the final result.
Soul Clap (also credited as Showbiz & A.G.) is the debut EP by the duo. It was self-released in 1991 on their independent label, Showbiz Records, and later re-released on March 17, 1992 through London/Payday Records after they signed a deal. Production was handled by Showbiz and Diamond D, with guest appearances from Lord Finesse and Diamond D on the posse cut Diggin’ in the Crates—a track that would later give its name to the legendary hip-hop collective D.I.T.C..
Songs like “Party Groove,” “Soul Clap,” and “Catchin’ Wreck” would later appear on the duo’s debut LP, Runaway Slave.