Flipmode Squad

{{Short description|American hip hop collective}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}

{{sources|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Flipmode Squad

| background = group_or_band

| image =

| caption =

| origin = New York City, U.S.

| genre = Hip hop

| years_active = {{hlist|1993–2012|2024–present{{cite web |last1=Quan |first1=Jay |title=BUSTA RHYMES ANNOUNCES FIRST FLIPMODE SQUAD ALBUM IN 26 YEARS: 'IT'S COMIN', IT'S TIME' |url=https://rockthebells.com/articles/busta-rhymes-announces-new-flipmode-squad-album/ |website=Rock the Bells |access-date=16 March 2024}}

}}

| label = {{hlist|Flipmode|Elektra|J|Conglomerate}}

| website =

| current_members = Busta Rhymes
Rah Digga

| past_members = Baby Sham
Chauncey Black
DJ Ice Cold
DJ Scratch
J-Doe
Labba
Lord Have Mercy
Lonny Bereal
M. Dollars
Meka
Nikki Grier
N.O.R.E.
Papoose
Rampage
Reek Da Villian
Roc Marciano
Seige Monstracity
Serious
Show Money
Spliff Star

}}

Flipmode Squad is an American hip hop collective formed and fronted by Busta Rhymes.

History

In 1993, Busta Rhymes first introduced the Flipmode Squad when he still was a part of former group Leaders of the New School, with the members being Brittle Lo and Cool Whip of the duo Cracker Jacks, Rampage the Last Boy Scout and Boy Wonder the Caped Crusader. The lineup changed up drastically with Rampage being the only remaining member of Flipmode.

The first Flipmode album debuted in 1998 with The Imperial, Rampage and Rah Digga went on to record solo efforts. In the move to J Records in 2000, Lord Have Mercy left Flipmode Squad in preference of a solo career in 2000, feeling that Busta Rhymes was holding him down.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.net/features/read/id/80369752/ |title=BallerStatus.com {{!}} Hip-Hop, R&B & Urban Lifestyle Portal |access-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202130857/http://www.ballerstatus.net/features/read/id/80369752/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last=Cantor|first=Paul|url=http://allhiphop.com/2004/08/19/lord-have-mercy-it-was-written/|title=Lord Have Mercy: It Was Written|publisher=AllHipHop|date=August 19, 2004|accessdate=May 6, 2013}} The original lineup also included Serious, who after quickly leaving would later produce for artists on No Limit Records, and later acts like Show Money and M. Dollars who were signed to the label as independent artists. Underground MC Roc Marciano would also be signed to the label for a number of years before going the independent route.

A second Flipmode Squad release, Rulership Movement, was set for release in 2003 on J Records, but because of the label change to Aftermath it was never released. It was announced that the album might be released sometime in 2009. J-MOE was in the group until he went solo. The founding member, Busta Rhymes later joined Dr. Dre's Aftermath label in 2006, and Rah Digga & Spliff Star appeared alongside Busta in the "Touch It (Remix)" video. Rah Digga left the Flipmode Squad amicably a couple of years later and directed her solo career. Spliff Star continued to collaborate in forming the Conglomerate with Busta, along with founding his own label. DJ Scratch left Flipmode/The Conglomerate in 2009 but returned in 2011 with the new movement taking form. Reek da Villian left Flipmode in 2009, but because of business reasons, he then headed to the Conglomerate, as well. Various members continued to record with each other. Busta signed with Cash Money Records in 2011, taking his business there with him. As the Conglomerate, an official mixtape was released in 2012.

On March 14, 2024, Busta Rhymes announced on Instagram that the Flipmode Squad had reformed and would be releasing another album later in the year. As of right now, Rah Digga is the only fully confirmed returning member other than Rhymes himself due to her being featured on a snippet of a song he released.{{cite web |last1=Quan |first1=Jay |title=BUSTA RHYMES ANNOUNCES FIRST FLIPMODE SQUAD ALBUM IN 26 YEARS: 'IT'S COMIN', IT'S TIME' |url=https://rockthebells.com/articles/busta-rhymes-announces-new-flipmode-squad-album/ |website=Rock the Bells |access-date=16 March 2024}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

{{see|Flipmode Entertainment|Busta Rhymes discography}}

= Mixtapes =

  • 2002: Arsenal for the Streets pt. 1
  • 2003: Arsenal for the Streets pt. 2 (The Full Court Press)
  • 2007: The Facelift pt. 1
  • 2007: The Full Course Meal
  • 2012: Catastrophic (as newly formed Conglomerate)

= Singles =

= Other Appearances =

  • 1997: "Flipmode Iz da Squad". [Scout's Honor... by Way of Blood]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/3460449}}
  • 1997: "There's Not a Problem My Squad Can't Fix!" [When Disaster Strikes...]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/1297902}}
  • 1998: "Freestyle". [The Mix Tape, Vol. III]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/5012851}}
  • 1998: "Take a Walk in My Shoes". [Slam (soundtrack)]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/217655547}}
  • 1998: "Against All Odds". [Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/3029451}}
  • 1998: "Whatever You Want". [The Professional]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/1231001}}
  • 1999: "Watcha Come Around Here For?" [Violator: The Album]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/36000588}}
  • 2000: "Come Get It". [Don't Sleep]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/9643627}}
  • 2000: "Just for You". [Dirty Harriet]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/4085781}}
  • 2000: "Set It on Fire". [The Piece Maker]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/219785987}}
  • 2000: "Let's Make a Toast". [Now or Never: Odyssey 2000]
  • 2000: "Here We Go Again". [Anarchy]'{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/10903103}}
  • 2001: "Take That". [Brace 4 Impak]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/573990}}
  • 2001: "What It Is Pt. 2". [Dr. Dolittle 2 (soundtrack)]
  • 2001: "Match the Name with the Voice". [Genesis]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/136815466}}
  • 2002: "Just Chill". [Friday After Next (soundtrack)]
  • 2003: "Angels Voice". [The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/78653}}
  • 2009: "We Want In". [Back on My B.S.]
  • 2020: "Follow the Wave". [Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God]{{Cite web |title=tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/162982488}}

Members

{{Simple Horizontal timeline

|border=none

|title=Flipmode Squad members

|caption=Band members and studio albums

|row1=note

|row1-1-at=1998.75

|row1-1-text=The Imperial

|rowStyle-bordertop=solid 0.1em black

|rowStyle-color=white

|rowStyle-texttop=0.6em

|row2=timeline

|row2-style=rowStyle

|row2-1-text=Busta Rhymes

|row2-1-to=2012

|row2-1-colour=red

|row3=timeline

|row3-style=rowStyle

|row3-1-text=Rampage{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Busta Rhymes Introduces the "Flip Mode Squad" for the 1st TIME! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBje6jDTo-8 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |website=YouTube}}

|row3-1-to=2006

|row3-1-colour=darkorange

|row4=timeline

|row4-style=rowStyle

|row4-1-text=Brittle Lo

|row4-1-to=1994

|row4-1-colour=limegreen

|row5=timeline

|row5-style=rowStyle

|row5-1-text=Cool Whip{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Busta Rhymes Introduces the "Flip Mode Squad" for the 1st TIME! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBje6jDTo-8 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |website=YouTube}}

|row5-1-to=1994

|row5-1-colour=teal

|row6=timeline

|row6-style=rowStyle

|row6-1-text={{ref label|Note1|a|a}}

|row6-1-to=1994

|row6-1-colour=darkkhaki

|row7=timeline

|row7-style=rowStyle

|row7-1-text=

|row7-1-to=1995.5

|row7-2-text=Lord Have Mercy

|row7-2-to=2000.085

|row7-2-colour=darkviolet

|row8=timeline

|row8-style=rowStyle

|row8-1-text=

|row8-1-to=1995.5

|row8-2-text=Spliff Star

|row8-2-to=2011

|row8-2-colour=seagreen

|row9=timeline

|row9-style=rowStyle

|row9-1-text=

|row9-1-to=1997

|row9-2-text=Baby Sham

|row9-2-to=2008

|row9-2-colour=lightskyblue

|row10=timeline

|row10-style=rowStyle

|row10-1-text=

|row10-1-to=1997

|row10-2-text=Rah Digga

|row10-2-to=2007

|row10-2-colour=crimson

|row11=timeline

|row11-style=rowStyle

|row11-1-text=

|row11-1-to=1997

|row11-2-text=Serious

|row11-2-to=1998

|row11-2-colour=lightYellow

|row12=timeline

|row12-style=rowStyle

|row12-1-text=

|row12-1-to=1997

|row12-2-text=Meka

|row12-2-to=2003

|row12-2-colour=lightskyblue

|row13=timeline

|row13-style=rowStyle

|row13-1-text=

|row13-1-to=1999

|row13-2-text=Roc Marciano

|row13-2-to=2001

|row13-2-colour=lightYellow

|row14=scale

|from=1993

|to=2011

|inc=1

}}

in chronological orderhttp://www.conglomeratefans.com/bioflipmode.htm {{dead link|date=March 2022}}

{{div col}}

  • Busta Rhymes (1993–2011, 2024-present){{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Busta Rhymes Introduces the "Flip Mode Squad" for the 1st TIME! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBje6jDTo-8 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |website=YouTube}}
  • Rampage (1993–2006)
  • Brittle Lo (1993–1994)
  • Cool Whip (1993–1994)
  • Boy Wonder the Caped Crusader (1993–1994)
  • Lord Have Mercy (1996–2000){{cite AV media notes|title= The Coming |year= 1996 |type= booklet |publisher= Flipmode, Elektra}}
  • Spliff Star (1996–2011)
  • Blacko (1996)
  • Bolo (1996)
  • Puzzle (1996)
  • Big-Gee (1996)
  • True 2 Life (1996)
  • Mika (1996)
  • DJ Scratch (1996–2009, 2011–2014)
  • Rah Digga (1997–2007, 2024-present)
  • Baby Sham (1997–2008)
  • Serious (1997–1998)
  • Meka (1997–2003)
  • Brady Lanter (1998–2014)
  • Roc Marciano (1999–2001)
  • M. Dollars (2003–2007)
  • Labba (2003–2007)
  • Chauncey Black (2004–2009)
  • Reek Da Villian (2006–2009; 2011–2014)
  • Papoose (2006–2008)
  • J-Doe (2008–2014)
  • Seige Monstracity (2009–2014)
  • DJ Ice Cold (2009–2014)
  • Lonny Bereal (2010–2014)
  • Nikki Grier (2010–2014)
  • N.O.R.E. (2011–2014)
  • Dready (2007-2014){{div col end}}

Notes

{{note label|Note1|a|a}}artist name: Boy Wonder the Caped Crusader

References

{{Reflist}}