Long before the Wu put Shaolin on the map, two emcees from Staten Island by the names of Kool Kim and Hass G were breaking onto the scene in 1991. Signed to the now defunct Wild Pitch label (Home to the likes of Main Source, O.C. and once upon a time, Gang Starr) they released the Long player ‘Fruits of nature’, spawning 2 singles; ‘Blue Cheese’ and the other an instant classic ‘One to grow on’. Their style was different, in the midst of West Coast gangsta rap they were all about having fun, wearing bright clothes and constant smiles their flow was cool, their music jazzy and they looked like they’d just stepped outta the playground, even though they were probably in their early twenties.

After a 3-year hiatus, in 1994 they re-emerged with a new style and sound. Now they were hardcore, the bright clothes and smiles were gone but you still couldn’t help thinking that they were still about having fun. Tracks were now called ‘The Ill demonique clique’ and talking about ‘Evil wayz’. The return single ‘Time to set it straight’ had them rapping in strained voices (similar to Onyx, a style that was becoming popular then). The second album ‘Unleashed’ was released, again on Wild Pitch a set of hardcore songs that didn’t seem to fit them, nothing was really unique, individual or worth hitting the rewind button for like their previous efforts. Although the promo video for the comeback single got some MTV airplay the album flopped and with the demise of the Record label not long after they were without a deal and it seems to have stayed that way.

I guess they split not long after that cos there was a short piece in the Source about Kool Kim bumrushing some showcase in NY to spit a freestyle and announce some of his upcoming projects.

Nothing seems to have materialised since, it makes you wonder that if they’d stuck to being original and not succumb to the hardcore/gangsta style that was quickly dying at that point they might still be around today.

If anyone knows any more with what they been up to or if any of them are planning to come out with any material email me and let me know.

- Phil

Update: - Kool Kim contacted tha-real.com on December 1st to update us on "Whatever Happended to The UMC's?"

"When we first came out...a lot of people got our style twisted. They saw the first video that we hated, beyond it being our first video, and had us pegged as a kid group or this light hearted group. At the time, we wanted to bring an ideal to music that to this day most people seem to have missed. There were a lot of hidden meanings in our music. A lot of revolutionary concepts in it. That taken in the context of a very well read brother as the two of us are, became a little more apparent. However our "image" was made to downplay that aspect of our art.

Being apart of Wildpitch...we were doomed to share the fate of 90% of the other artist on that label...which was to be Jerked by the label. We never got paid, and had a great deal of angst against the label. We were living in such a terrible state at that time (a two bedroom apt with no heat), mind you I was a business major in college. We didn't squander what little money we made...infact I think if I were to work in Burger King part time, for the whole time I was a recording artist, I would have made more money. In any event while we were working on the album the label was demanding 5 songs a week from us. So we never got the chance to sort of get our head together, and in all honesty, lackluster sales on the first album (a reported 250,000) made us feel that people didn't take us seriously...that they thought we was soft (and belive me that is the farthest thing from the truth). We ain't wanna play that role any more. We were tired of being regarded like that...and further the original album ('Fruits of Nature') didn't really orchestrate the lyrical ability of the group.

Mind you during that time my partner and I went through so much...man, I don't want to sound like a sob story...but since you put it out there I want to make sure the record is proper you know... it was crazy...and then we started smoking weed and drinking...it was in retrospect a very sad time...but that was where god wanted us to be....

Well around that time...we were recording the album...disputes with money and such caused strained relations with the record label president. He came to the studio while some of our camp was there...and they took exception to his treatment of us...and beat him up.

After that they took little interest in the project...it really didn't have much to do with the change in styles. I can point out about 10 artist that you listen to know that change 180 degrees every time they come out, it had more to do with promotion and label interest.

Well the record came out and flopped...and that was that...we both tried to figure ways back in, but we couldn't seem to get that thing together...so we just chilled for a while.

Me, I am an MC to the heart so I have always been on the streets with it. That article you read in The Source was about a time when I came on stage and BLAZED everyone there...niggas ain't expect it cause we been slept for so long. That's been the gist of it since then. Every so often I put a single out. When I feel like it just to do me. Haas G is now going by The Phantom and is responsible for a few bangers you are dancing to now...such as Ghostface Killas new single, the one with all them horns in it. I forget what that shit is called right now, and he also did 'Take It Off' on Busta's album. He will be putting out a project that promises to open the whole hip hop world soon...but I can't say much more about that...

Me, I own a production company where I now live, in Maryland. I own a real big house, and 2 nice jeeps, and am married with 3 beautiful kids. There is life after hip hop...

And...I'll blaze anyone that wanna try me...haha

And so i gave you one to grow on!