Pete Rock & CL Smooth were an American hip hop duo formed in Mount Vernon, New York. They made their debut with their 1991 EP, All Souled Out and followed by the 1992 LP Mecca and the Soul Brother.
History Formation Pete Rock (Peter Phillips) and CL Smooth (Corey Penn) first met at Mount Vernon High School. They began shopping demos to labels until Elektra Records signed the duo to a production deal with The Untouchables management, which was handled by DJ Eddie F. The duo released their first EP All Souled Out on June 25, 1991.
Early years As a producer, DJ Pete Rock gained notoriety for his use of obscure soul and jazz records, frequently making use of horn-driven hooks. Lead vocalist CL Smooth delivered more conscious style of rap which contrasted with the popular gangsta rap records of the time. He mostly avoided profanity, similar in style and delivery to positive East Coast rappers like those associated with the Native Tongues Crew. Their debut album, Mecca and the Soul Brother was released on June 9, 1992. Their signature hit was "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", a requiem for fallen friends — namely Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon, a member of Heavy D & The Boyz, who died in 1990.
Later years
While touring in London with CL Smooth in early December 2011, Pete Rock stated that a new album was already in the works and would be released by the year's end, or as soon as it was completed. The album would have been the duo's third album, and their first album since 1994's The Main Ingredient.
On June 1, 2024, during an interview with Drink Champs, Rock addressed the split between him and CL Smooth:Rock continued in an Instagram post about the breakup:
Discography Studio albums YearAlbumPeak chart positionsU.S.U.S. R&B1992Mecca and the Soul Brother Released: June 9, 1992 Label: Elektra4371994The Main Ingredient Released: November 8, 1994 Label: Elektra519
EPs YearAlbumPeak chart positionsU.S. R&B1991All Souled Out Released: June 25, 1991 Label: Elektra532009The Basement Demos Released: February 17, 2009 Label: One Leg Up Records—
Soundtracks April 1993: Who's the Man?: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – track 3, "What's Next on the Menu?" May 1993: Menace II Society: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – track 10, "Death Becomes You" June 1993: Poetic Justice: Music from the Motion Picture – track 6, "One in a Million"
Compilations
2003: Good Life: The Best of Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Singles YearSingleChart positionsAlbumU.S. Hot 100U.S. R&BU.S. Rap1992"Straighten It Out"—657Mecca and the Soul Brother"They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)"58101"Lots of Lovin'"1086611994"I Got a Love"1176920The Main Ingredient"Take You There (featuring Crystal Johnson)"7667331995"Searching" ———
References
External links Interview with Pete Rock Interview with CL Smooth