[1][2][3][4] Through their indie imprint, FAS FWD Entertainments LTD, the group independently manufactured, produced and distributed music that included: one mixtape, two studio albums, and several EPs, dubplates, and singles.
[7] The 57th Dynasty's original musical style was a mixture of hip hop, bashment, jungle, jazz and spoken word components commonly associated with an early form of grime.
Recognized as a landmark album, its singles "Lil Bro," "Love of Hip Hop," "Still I Rise," and "Boro 6" were mainstays on underground pirate radio stations.
[3][13][14] "Buyers at chain retailers began calling for stock [of the album] even before a distribution deal through London-based SRD was secured" wrote Billboard.
[16] The group was highly influential in shaping the landscape of British urban music, not only for rivaling major labels, but for sitting alongside and influencing policy makers and representatives from media companies.
[14][17] Group member Oshin (Da Nomad) extensively showcased UK talent through his Fab 5 Freddy-esque film series, Independent Hype.
Marcus "Paradise" Dawes returned to the UK after spending 18 years in the United States and was introduced by neo-soul singer Stewy "Big" Love to producer/label owner Charlie Parker.
[26] The successful rapper/producer combo performed live throughout the UK and Europe including regular radio broadcast on Choice FM's Friday Night Flavas, hosted by DJ 279.
Mr. Green (Baby Hulk), a friend of Bionic of London Posse, was a regular artist in residence and the first to be released on Parker's independent FAS FWD record label.
[35] Trace Magazine Hip hop writer Disorda charted the debut at number 9 and included it on his compilation album, UK Hustlerz Volume 3.
[36][37] The FAS FWD ALL-STARS performed regularly at the local Lambeth Country Show, Brockwell Park, and at numerous hip hop showcases and venues across London including Subterania, Jonzi D's Apricot Jam, DJ 279's Flava of Da Month at Borderline and Mudlumz.
The youngest members of Paradise's ensemble formed Juvenile Ruckasz (Lil Monsta, Dark Troopa, 50:50) and were showcased on dubplate specials for Jamaica's Stone Love and King Addis Sound Systems.
[39] The group's sold-out album launch party at Subterania, Ladbroke Grove included notable attendees such as New York's Hot 97 FM DJ and radio personality, Mister Cee, London Hip Hop Festival founder Kentake Chinyelu-Hope, Kiss FM DJs Big Ted & Shortee Blitz, DJ 279 and various members of Bury Crew/Mudlumz.
"[45] Led by the tech-savvy, progressive partnership of Charlie and Paradise, the group embraced new technologies, producing enhanced CDs and releasing digital downloads in 2003, three years before the birth of the iTunes Music Store.
[46] "Lil Bro" received over 20,000 downloads, prompting the company's A&R manager, Dave VJ, to comment "57th Dynasty are really big on the site and have what it takes to make it in the US.
"[47] The 57th Dynasty began touring internationally, to Sweden (Stockholm), Finland (Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä), Denmark (Copenhagen), Italy (Bologna, Milan, Turin), Belgium (Brussels) and France (Nice).
Singer Estelle and UK rappers MCD, Ace, Funky DL, Bury Crew, Scor-zay-zee (Out Da Ville), Swaybe Lee, Cerose (Black Rhino), Titan Sounds affiliates, Extremist and DJ IQ featured on the album.
Hits from this album included "Brethren and Sistren", "Rough Life", "If", "Hooligans", "Ghetto Gold", "Break Free" and "Hold Strong", the latter two featuring Estelle.
[48] In 2002, Channel U heads Charlie and Darren Platt headhunted the group, soliciting new material for the station to give it an edge over new rival MTV Base.
By 2003, the popularity of "urban" music was at an unprecedented high in the UK as rapping/singing garage pop groups such as So Solid and Big Brovaz were being signed to major record labels and achieving chart success.
[54][55] In this same year, home secretary David Blunkett and culture minister Kim Howells accused rappers of glorifying the thug life and turning guns into fashion accessories.
[56][57] The Wessex Scene described The 57th Dynasty's brand of music as harsh realities of a contemporary upbringing, a stark contrast to the commercially successful pop rap groups of the time.
[4] Group members worked on individual projects and collaborated heavily with other artists, including Charlie Parker's contribution to Paper Chasers, which premiered at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival.
Paradise gave the pair a CD and continued on towards Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, who sat in security isolation, as he had recently been shot in Brixton after performing at the Lambeth Country Show.
Derek A. Bardowell of The Source wrote, "Brixton-based rap collective 57th Dynasty is not in this business to make people feel comfortable.
In 1999, Black Thought of the legendary Roots met The 57th Dynasty for the first time at Milos Studios whilst the group recorded their debut album, The Spoken Word.
On "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New" (featuring Dice Raw) from their fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart, Black Thought of The Roots is heard rapping "I represent the legendary Fifth Dynasty crew".
[70] The two groups met again at Brixton Academy for Hip hop Phenomenon '99, a line-up that included Jurassic 5, Slum Village, DJ Cash Money, Kool Keith and more.
[73] The Mirror reported that the arrests reflected an increasing number of young British blacks who grew up in Christian families but had recently converted to the Muslim faith.
[72] In addition to the above tour information, The 57th Dynasty also performed at Rise Festival, Love Music Hate Racism, Ten Rooms, Club Ezekiel, Peckham, Temple (Westwood), Z Bar, Brixton (Cappadonna show)