Bronx-bred emcee Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard’s rap sheet reads like a who’s who of the rap industry.  The early nineties’ battle rapper’s high level of competitiveness inspires him to create lyrical verses laced with comedic punch-lines and abstract intellectual analogies. Pudgee, well remembered for his contributions to ‘90s hip hop, is somewhat of an enigma and attributes a great deal of his knowledge to his relationships with Flavor Units’ Queen Latifah, Lady Of Rage, Ishamel (of Digable Planets), Terri & Monica, M.O. P., Lord Finesse, Diamond Dee and the late, great, Heavy D. He ghostwrote for many an emcee on their projects, participating in weekly cypher conference calls with Nas and Akinyele (of “Put It In Your Mouth” fame) and had a longstanding friendship with Tupac Shakur, which began during Pac’s stint as background dancer for Digital Underground and inadvertently found 2Pac shouting Pudgee out in his video for the infamous “Hit’ em Up” song in which he disses the Notorious BIG.

Hip hop pioneer, Grand Master Flash, gave Pudgee his first professional recording demo experience and provided him with the opportunity to write two songs for Roxanne Shante, who was the catalyst for Pudgee’s excursion in to emceeing.

Combined with Pudgee’s logo “mysteriously” appearing everywhere in New York affixed to light poles and train windows (via a young Lenny S. and cousin Burt), the rapper found his buzz becoming hugely contagious, and further garnered a “street buzz” by writing and recording intros for DJ Clue’s mixtapes.  

With such dues paid, it took only a phone call with Trakmasterz’s Red Hot Lover Tone (via Pudgee’s God sister, Aishah, of The Poizon Posse) to get the “ball rolling.”  5 demos and three weeks later Pudgee was signed to Giant division of Warner Brothers in 1992, where he wrote and recorded the album, Give ‘em The Finger, which included his first single, “Checkin’ Out the Avenue” – a now underground, classic album, with features from Kool G Rap, MC Lyte, Tony Dofat, and a host of additional producers and creative heavy hitters of that time. The album remains an all-time favorite for true Hip Hop heads. Unfortunately, the R&B based label never found the ability to support such a true “Hip-Hop” act which resulted in Pudgee asking to be released from the label to pursue other endeavors.

After a few new demos, several meetings and a short negotiation the even now more determined artist signed to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Perspective/A&M Records. The project rendered several singles including “On the Regular,” “Money Don’t Make Your World Stop,” and the street certified “Think Big” record, which featured a guest appearance by the late Notorious B.I.G and Lord Tariq.  During this period, Pudgee graced various key trade publication covers with numerous interviews in The Source, Right On and poster pullouts in Word Up. This dedication and effort landed him a spot on a B.E.T college tour alongside Goodie Mob, Donell Jones and several other acts. This further solidified the artist as a performer and allowed the fans to put a face to the voice of so many popular verses.

Pudgee began to once again feel the effects of a record label ill-equipped to manage the intricacies and complexities surrounding the support requisites of commercial artists.  Realizing this and after completing his first single, he asked to be released from the label and subsequently, Perspective never scheduled the release of his sophomore endeavor entitled, “King of New York.”  Shortly thereafter, Perspective lost its footing as a label confirming Pudgee’s worst fears. These issues (known by few consumers and fans) led to his self-directed disassociation and disappointment with record labels.

Pudgee began exploring different avenues within the music industry, collaborating with DTP’s Shawnna on “Say Aah” which was included in the score of the first Fast and Furious franchise.

After writing five songs for Lisa Left-Eye Lope’s Supernova – one of which was entitled, “Life is Like a Park” – Pudgee seized his curiosity to expand his music persona and ventured into R&B.

“Hearing Carl Thomas’s version of what I wrote forced me to think about different aspects of my musicality. I never really thought about singing before then.”

Fast forward to 2013, and never able to stray too far from music (his first love), Pudgee reemerged a singer, songwriter, lyrical arranger and engineer, working to help develop musical landscapes for new, unsigned and indie artists looking to break into the music industry and live their dreams. Pudgee found himself writing the chorus for “Dog Love,” which Amerie sang on DMX’s Year of the Dog album, being featured on fours songs of the legendary Rakim’s Seventh Seal album and dropping several indie records,s kept him mentally current and competitive. 

“I cannot be part of this industry and not give the new generation the benefit of my experience,” says Pudgee.

Never one to turn down a challenge, if the mood is right, the battle rapper’s witticism, sharp attack and punch lines still can command the attention and respect of his peers (new and old), stand with the best and leave nothing to the imagination. The legendary underground emcee skills are just as sharp and witty as ever. But don’t expect to hear any of the skills on Pudgee’s new recording project entitled, The Little RED Hen where he showcases his newly-realized singing and songwriting talents.  

“Music is about growing and giving more of YOU to the listeners. I will forever take the ‘Grass Roots’ approach that made me visible in the first place. The fans have the final say, so I will always focus my attention on them.” 

~Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard