Lil' Dap

Half of the DJ Premier-produced golden age duo Group Home, Lil' Dap is an East Coast rapper closely affiliated with Gang Starr. Born James Heath, he made his recording debut in 1992 on the classic Gang Starr album Daily Operation (1992) on the song "I'm the Man." He was also featured on Gang Starr's subsequent album, Hard to Earn (1994), on the song "Speak Ya Clout." Around this same time period, Lil' Dap made his recording debut as half of the duo Group Home on the Gang Starr Foundation Sampler (1993). Produced by DJ Premier and Guru of Gang Starr, the three-track 12" release on Ill Kid Records features the Group Home song "So Called Friends" alongside songs by Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Big Shug. Also featuring Melachi the Nutcracker, Group Home released their debut single, "Supa Star," in 1994 on Gang Starr's label, Payday; their full-length album debut, Livin' Proof, followed in 1995. Produced almost entirely by DJ Premier, Livin' Proof is a cult classic among Gang Starr aficionados. Unfortunately, four long years passed before Group Home's follow-up album, A Tear for the Ghetto (1999), on which DJ Premier produced only one track, "The Legacy." Released this time on Replay Records, A Tear for the Ghetto wasn't as well received as Livin' Proof, more or less marking the end of Group Home's recording career. In the years that followed, little was heard from Lil' Dap. Nearly a decade passed before he mounted a comeback with I-A-Dap (2008), his long-awaited full-length solo album debut. Released on Babygrande, I-A-Dap features production by Large Professor, Big Noyd, and the Alchemist. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide