Gravediggaz
| Company type | Hip hop collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Prince Paul, Frukwan, Too Poetic, Prince Rakeem |
| Headquarters | New York , United States |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums |
Gravediggaz was a hip hop ensemble originating from New York, distinguished by their use of darkly comedic elements and aggressive sonic textures. They merged styles of hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap with horror motifs, effectively establishing the horrorcore subgenre within hip-hop.
The collective formed in 1991, comprising Prince Paul (known as The Undertaker), Frukwan (The Gatekeeper), Too Poetic (The Grym Reaper), and Prince Rakeem (The RZArector). The group's inception was primarily influenced by Prince Paul, who had previously collaborated with Frukwan in the group Stetsasonic.
Biography
Their first album, originally named Niggamortis, was retitled 6 Feet Deep for the American audience (while European editions retained the original name and included the bonus track "Pass the Shovel"); it debuted on August 9, 1994. Each member adopted a distinctive Gravedigga persona: Prince Rakeem took on The RZArector; Poetic became The Grym Reaper; Prince Paul assumed The Undertaker; and Frukwan was The Gatekeeper. In 1995, the trio of vocalists (excluding Prince Paul) collaborated with British trip hop artist Tricky to release the EP The Hell E.P..
Their sophomore album, The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, shifted towards a more earnest approach, incorporating social and political commentary alongside more subdued production. Prince Paul's contributions diminished, with production duties largely undertaken by RZA and other affiliates from the Wu-Tang family, including True Master and 4th Disciple.
In 1998, an unofficial release titled Scenes from the Graveyard surfaced, featuring seven previously unreleased tracks along with remixes drawn from their initial two albums.
Following the addition of DJ Diamond J to their lineup, Poetic succumbed to colon cancer in July 2001. Subsequently, Frukwan announced intentions to produce a new album incorporating Poetic’s unreleased material. Their third official project, Nightmare in A-Minor (2001), showcased both Poetic and Frukwan and is regarded as their darkest record, reflecting Poetic’s struggle with cancer and apocalyptic themes inspired by the Five-Percent Nation. RZA did not participate in this release; however, Wu-Tang affiliates such as 4th Disciple, True Master, Prodigal Sunn, Beretta 9, and Shogun Assason contributed. Production was predominantly managed by Poetic and Frukwan. A revised edition appeared in 2002 with some tracks modified or substituted.
Frukwan launched his solo career with the album Life in 2003. The following year, the compilation 6 Feet Under was issued through X-Ray/Cleopatra Records, combining selections from Nightmare in A-Minor and Life. Frukwan publicly disapproved of this compilation due to unauthorized alterations made to track titles.
In 2010, Gravediggaz recorded "2 More Cups of Blood". By 2011, they were developing new projects featuring collaborations with Shabazz the Disciple and Killah Priest.
In 2018, The Gatekeeper released a track titled "1 Cup of Blood" under the Gravediggaz banner.
Style and influence
Frukwan explained that the name Gravediggaz symbolizes "excavating graves of those mentally deceased," representing a revival of individuals trapped within ignorance. Their lyrical content combines dark humor with subjects such as suicide, mortality, psychosis, critiques of the music industry, alongside exaggerated violence and mystical references linked to the Nation of Gods and Earths. Gravediggaz are credited as pioneers of horrorcore music.
Their satirical approach left an imprint on hardcore techno music, notably influencing Mark Newland's sampling work for Nasenbluten. The introduction to "Mommy, What's a Gravedigga?" was sampled by Sounwave for Kendrick Lamar’s track "Mortal Man." Furthermore, Tyler, the Creator repurposed the beat from "2 Cups of Blood" in his 2021 song "Lumberjack," following remixes executed by Prince Paul for Flatbush Zombies and interest expressed by RZA.
Studio albums
- 6 Feet Deep (1994)
- The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (1997)
- Nightmare in A-Minor (2001)
Compilation albums
- 6 Feet Under (2004)
- Halloween Nights In The Graveyard (2023)