Biography
Knucklehedz were a 90s hip hop duo from Brentwood, Long Island (in New York,) containing members Tom J (Thomas Jimenez) and Steve Austin (Steve Leonard.) They are original members of the Hit Squad, along with EPMD, Redman, Das EFX and others. Their only album, Strictly Savage, was recorded in 1993 for East West Records but was shelved after the breakup of EPMD. It featured production from Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. Despite not having a commercial release for their album, Knucklehedz left a mark on the hip-hop scene, particularly within the Hit Squad collective, and are remembered for their unique storytelling and energetic style.
Knucklehedz should have blown up but they got caught in the headlights of the messy EPMD break up. Stricktly Savage was only released as a promo in Germany in 1993. They are considered a "what if" in hip hop, all the hard work they put in was for nothing and are considered lost members due to the break up of the Hit Squad. Other members of the Hit Squad such as Top Quality had to deal with the same issue.
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Tom J went to Ross High School with Erick Sermon and can be heard being shouted out on EPMD's "Rap Is Outta Control" (1990). Knucklehedz were also shouted on EPMD's "Nobody's Safe Chump" (1992).
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.