Lord Finesse

Lord Finesse is a hip hop artist and producer from The Bronx, United States. Born in 1970, he works within east coast hip hop and hip hop, and is associated with D.I.T.C., known in full as Diggin In The Crates, as well as Rhyme Syndicate. He also releases material through Funkyman Productions.

Career

In 1989, Lord Finesse and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth sign to Wild Pitch Records, a label also home to Gang Starr, Main Source, Chill Rob G, Percee P and O.C. The following year, the duo release their debut album Funky Technician. Finesse is noted for his lyrical skill and punchline delivery, and the album features production from DJ Premier, Diamond D and Showbiz.

He becomes the leader of D.I.T.C., a New York underground crew whose later members include Showbiz & A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and Big L. The group is associated with a series of influential 1990s underground releases, including Show & AG’s Runaway Slave, O.C.’s Word...Life and Big L’s Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous.

Solo releases and production work

In late 1991, Lord Finesse returns as a solo artist with Return Of The Funky Man, which includes guest appearances from Percee P and AG. Its title track reaches number 13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.

In 1992, he discovers Big L freestyling in a local record store and brings him onto the remix of “Yes You May”. He later contributes production to The Notorious B.I.G.’s debut Ready to Die in 1994, on the track “Suicidal Thoughts”. In 1995, he produces part of Big L’s debut Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, including the single “M.V.P.”.

He returns as an artist in 1996 with The Awakening, an album produced entirely by him. The record features O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D and Kid Capri, and includes the hidden track “Actual Facts” with Sadat X, Grand Puba and Large Professor.

Finesse does not release another studio album after that, but continues producing. In 1997 he produces the title track on O.C.’s Jewelz, releases the mixtape Diggin' On Blue in 1999, and later in the year produces “The Message” on Dr. Dre’s 2001. He also works on a Funky Technician remix project, a new D.I.T.C. album and a posthumous Big L album with DJ Premier.