| Downtown Science | |
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Origin |
New York City, New York, USA |
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Genre |
Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Alternative hip hop, Golden age hip hop, Conscious hip hop |
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Years active |
1988 - 1991 |
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Labels |
Def Jam Recordings, Columbia, Bulletproof Recordings |
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Members |
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Downtown Science were an American rap recording group. Formed in 1988 in New York, New York, initially as a trio, the lineup was producer Sam Sever (born Sam Citrin), rapper/producer Bosco Money (born Kenneth Carabello), and songwriter/producer/arranger Jonathan Hoffman. They were among the first, successful, interracial rap acts. Citrin had produced for 3rd Bass. They made their debut with the release of their single, "Now Listen", in 1988. Hoffman wouldn't stay in the group for much longer, as he'd leave afterwards. By now reduced to a duo, the remaining members carried on with recording a few more singles along with their first and lone self-titled album, via Def Jam and Columbia, in 1991. One of the tracks, "If I Was", was also featured on the Livin' Large soundtrack. Although the single, "Room To Breathe" and its accompanying music video gained some minor airplay, the album got lost in the shuffle amongst other rap albums, especially the bigger ones, that got more attention. Subsequently, Citrin formed another duo with Adam Gazzola called Sam Sever and The Raiders of The Lost Art, who cut a couple EPs in the 1990s. Citrin recorded a solo single from 1996 titled "Zone Alone", which was never officially released. Under the name Sam Sever & The R.O.T.L.A., the track, "Do You Understand?", was included on the various artists compilation mixtape, T(h)riphopologies Volume 1 by DJ Ryelie. Carabello made and released a few solo singles, one of which, 1992's "Da Plan", was as The Bosco Money Project and a couple others, 1994's "Cleptomania" and "Bringin' The House Down" as Partyrock Wrecking Crew before dropping his solo debut album, Secret Agent, in 1999. Reinventing himself as Bos Omega, he was featured on "HDTV - The Ski Mix" by Yohimbe Brothers in 2005 from their The Remixes 12" and also produced the track. Hoffman produced and remixed songs for others, including remixing a few songs by the Beastie Boys.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- 1991: Downtown Science