Non Phixion
Non Phixion
In late 1994, MC Serch (of 3rd Bass fame) took protégé Sabac Red and teamed up with DJ Eclipse and Ill Bill (La Coka Nostra / Heavy Metal Kings), thereby creating the group known as Non Phixion. Within six months Goretex, a childhood friend of Ill Bill, from Glenwood Houses, had joined the crew after freestyling for MC Serch. Six months later they had released their first single, “Legacy”. It went on to sell over 25,000 copies worldwide, with little distribution establishing the group as an international touring force.
MC Serch secured the group a deal by letting them choose what label they desired, which was with major label Geffen Records, due to their growing roster of like-minded artists such as Killah Priest, The Roots, and GZA. Russell Simmons, was also interested in the group after MC Serch brought them to his penthouse for a live meeting and performance, which due to scheduling never came to fruition. Serch kept releasing singles for the group through his own independent imprint Serchlite, and they continued to garner underground worldwide notoriety. Eventually, a series of miscommunications and incidents between the group, and Serch over the mysterious whereabouts of money led to Non Phixion being dropped by the label during a merger with MCA Records, by way of giant Seagrams.[4]
Following their attempt at a major label release, the members of Non Phixion spent their time performing live and around the world at such places as Roskilde Festival, and Hultsfred Festival opening for contemporaries such as Gang Starr, Slayer, Black Moon, Rage Against The Machine, Fat Joe, Beastie Boys, Portishead, Queens Of The Stone Age, Cypress Hill, GZA, The Beatnuts, Mos Def, The Roots and numerous others. After 1998 saw the release of their “I Shot Reagan” 12" on Uncle Howie Records, Non Phixion secured a deal for a full-length with Matador Records, however, this never came to fruition. Eminem manager Paul Rosenberg showed interest in managing Non Phixion, but due to timing never came to fruition. Around 2000, Rick Rubin was attempting to bring Non Phixion to Warner Bros. and executive produce their record, but this too never materialized and ultimately their debut LP The Future Is Now was released on Ill Bill’s own Uncle Howie Records on March 26, 2002.The Future Is Now features the production of Hip Hop giants such as Pete Rock, Large Professor, DJ Premier, The Beatnuts, as well as Ill Bills brother Necro and Dave 1 from funk band Chromeo. A Heavy Metal remix for “The CIA Is Trying To Kill Me” was also included, produced by T-Ray. It features Christian Olde Wolbers, and Raymond Herrera from Fear Factory, and guitarist Stephen Carpenter from Deftones. The Future Is Now also contains a rare at the time, guest appearance from MF Doom. The cover artwork was created by Los Angeles artist Mear One, from California graffiti crew C.B.S.