Paris - Coffee, Donuts & Death (Remix) 1992

The Conscious Daughters - Somethin’ To Ride To (Fonky Expedition) (Remix) 1993

When you google the words ‘Paris,’ ‘producer’ and ‘hip-hop’ or ‘rap,’ an alarming number of links will lead you to announcements concerning Scott Storch producing Paris Hilton. Well, Can I Bring My Gat? is here to provide some counterbalance. Oscar ‘Paris’ Jackson first gained notoriety around 1990, establishing himself (just before MC Hammer and Digital Underground) as the only other national Bay Area representative besides Too $hort. His Tommy Boy-distributed debut, “The Devil Made Me Do It,” was self-produced, a fact that was overshadowed by the outspoken militant, pro-black message from the self-described Black Panther of Hip-Hop. Yet in early 1994 I picked up a record on the strength that it said ‘Produced by Paris’ on the front cover. That record was “Ear To The Street” by female duo The Conscious Daughters, and it could easily be perceived as Paris’ reaction to what Dr. Dre had done on “The Chronic.” One year later he responded to the massively successful g-funk movement with the establishment of his Guerrilla Funk label, along with the more traditionally funked out “Guerrilla Funk” album. Fast forward to 2006 when he teamed up with legendary Public Enemy to produce and even co-write their album “Rebirth Of A Nation,” and we can safely include Paris in the ranks of hip-hop producers, his work behind the boards now spanning twenty years.

Paris’ first currently documented production credit dates back before “The Devil Made Me Do It,” with 1987’s “This Beat Is Def” single by San Francisco rap group ATC, who was even shortly signed to his Scarface label. His rap debut then provided an interesting synthesis of hip-hop beats and more electronic, almost industrial grooves and used less samples than your typical late ’80s release. That unique approach was the expression of P-Dog’s outsider status and DIY attitude on a musical level, resulting in classic militant rap tracks like “Break The Grip Of Shame” and “The Devil Made Me Do It.” 1992’s controversial “Sleeping With The Enemy” gave samples a more prominent place and enlisted the help of a young DJ Shadow on some tracks. In the new millennium Paris is busier than ever, having made a comeback not just as a producer but also as a rapper, executive and activist. His website www.guerrillafunk.com should tell you all you need to know about his music and his mission.

Paris on discogs