- Band Members: C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock
- Genre: Hip-Hop
- Influenced by: Minnie Riperton
- Followed By: Ugly Duckling, Charizma, Move.meant, Blu & Exile, Away Team, Mr. Thing, Soul Position, Kidz in the Hall, Jneiro Jarel
- Similar Artists: Brand Nubian, Gang Starr, Digable Planets, Rough House Survivers, Show & A.G., Guru, A Tribe Called Quest
Mt. Vernon, New Yorkers Pete Rock (a producer/DJ) and rapper C.L. Smooth emerged in 1992 as both a powerhouse performance duo and as prolific producers. Their 1992 album Mecca and the Soul Brother was a hip-hop classic with great cuts including "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" and "Straighten It Out." They later collaborated with Mary J. Blige for a remix of her song "Reminisce" that effectively merged the two tracks in a re-edited hit. Their next album, The Main Ingredient, appeared in 1994, but they split for solo careers one year later. They also recorded many productions for both hip-hop acts and urban contemporary artists like Johnny Gill. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
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