The Outsidaz are a hip hop group from Newark, New Jersey, perhaps best known through their affiliation with Detroit rappers Eminem and Bizzare who are former members of the group.

History

The group formed in 1991 after underground rappers Young Zee and Pacewon met at a New Year's Eve party. At the time they met, Young Zee and Pacewon were rival MCs. Pacewon was a member of a crew named PNS, while Zee headed a crew named Skitzo. They decided to unite into one group, The Outsidaz, following a lengthy microphone battle that it was decided ended in a tie. Along with Pacewon and Young Zee, The Outsidaz consisted of Ax, Azz-Iz, BSkills, DJ Muhammed, D.U., Denton, Leun One, Nawshis, Rah Digga, the late Slang Ton, and Yah Yah. They were also affiliated with Detroit's D-12, (Eminem's group), collaborating with them on different projects. Eminem shouts out the Outsidaz at the end of the song "Just Don't Give a Fuck", featured on the Slim Shady LP.

The Outsidaz have been a very well-respected group on the underground hip-hop scene, although their commercial success has been limited. They were featured on The Fugees' multi-platinum album The Score, released in 1996. Female group member Rah Digga would later go on to be successful with Busta Rhymes' crew Flipmode Squad, and would go on to marry fellow Outsida Young Zee. DJ Miz of Freshco & Miz has worked with the Outsidaz, producing an early single called "Listen" and later working again with Pace Won, while Redman maintained association with the group in the late '90s as well, appearing with rhyme partner Method Man on a song from The Bricks, the lone Outsidaz full-length.

The Outsidaz released a 6-track EP entitled "Night Life" on Ruff Life Records in January 2000, which was followed up by The Bricks in 2001, a full-length featuring production from Rockwilder and DJ Twinz.

Pacewon also announced that he will be realeasing a solo LP rumoured to be titled 'The Only Color That Matters Is Green' , some time around February, March 2008.

Tracks from the album, which is being entirely produced by an up and coming New Jersey producer by the name of Mr. Green, have been leaked on the Internet and been well received.

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Chart Positions
		US Hip-Hop	US Heatseekers
2000	Night Life	67	19
2001	The Bricks	68	48

Singles

• "Rain or Shine" (1998)
• "The Rah Rah" (1999)
• "Macosa/Do It With a Passion" (1999)
• "Keep On/Done in the Game" (2001)
• "Who U Be?" (2001)
• "I'm Leavin'" (2002)

References