Slept on Rappers

Heltah Skeltah: Sean Price a.k.a. Ruck. and Rock a.k.a. Da Rockness Monstah

The Twin Towers of, Sean Price a.k.a. Ruck and Rock a.k.a Da Rockness Monstah, form Heltah Skeltah. Perhaps two of the most skilled members of the Boot Camp Clik, their unique personalities, lyrical abilities, and history have been a hip-hop story to remember.

Ruck (Sean Price) and Rock first appeared on Smif N’ Wessun’s 1995 debut, Da Shinin. The tracks “Wontime,” "Cession at da Doghillee," and "Let's Git It On," featured the two wrecking the mic mercilessly. In 1994, Duck Down Enterprizez expanded its roster from the highly successful Black Moon and Smif n Wessun, to signing both Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C.: Originoo Gunn Clappaz (Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah, and Top Dog).

In 1995, in what can be considered as a power-move in promotion, Heltah Skeltah collaborated with O.G.C. to form the legendary, Fab 5. The single, “Blah” was group’s official introduction to the public, and contained an energy that quickly established them as some of Brooklyn’s finest emcees. Other memorable cuts included, “Leflah Leflah of Eshkosha,” and, “Leflah.”
Out of all of the members, Price and Rock were given the most notice, due to their complex lyrical abilities, translucent flows, and distinct rhyme patterns. Price displayed a charismatic persona, stringing double-speak phrases together with ease. Rock came with a tougher, straight to the point style, pounding out words in a never ending fury. With lighter beats and an endless arsenal of battle raps, the Fab 5 was identified as true east-coast hip-hop to the fullest.


The Fab 5 project was a springboard for Heltah Skeltah’s 1996 debut, Nocturnal. Variations in production by Baby Paul, Buckshot, Evil Dee, and Mr. Walt, to name a few, helped create the changing canvas of eerie soundscapes in the mid-90’s .
The lead single, “Operation Lock Down,” came off as a dark battle rap with an entrancing piano loop and concrete beat. With razor sharp verses, and hard punch-lines from both Price and Rock, it let critics know that Heltah Skeltah was not to be tested. In addition, The Fab 5 single, “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka,” appeared as a B-side track.
Nocturnal, was an ideal debut, selling over 250,000 units, ranking #5 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts, and gaining a “Best Group Of The Year” nomination from The Source Magazine.
In 1997, Heltah Skeltah fell in formation with the rest of the Boot Camp Clik to drop, For the People. Following the album’s release, Price and Rock made memorable guest appearances on “Da Cypher Part III (A Juice Crew Reunion),” and later recorded alongside Canibus and Ras Kas on “Uni-4-orm,” which was featured on the, Rhyme and Reason Soundtrack.

Heltah Skeltah's popularity and success shot north like a bullet train, as they dropped their 1998 hood acclaimed sophomore release, Magnum Force. The album had a grocery list of appearances including; The Outlawz, Method Man, Redman, and the Dogg Pound.
“I Ain’t Havin It,” gained attention for its fast rhymes and sampling A Tribe Called Quest’s "Hot Sex,” coming off as inconceivably gully. Although the single was held in high regard by fans, critics questioned the album’s light content. Possibly due to the negative reactions and internal conflicts, Price and Rock dissolved Heltah Skeltah, to peruse different interests.

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Single: Everything Is Heltah Skeltah