30 Years Later: Al’ Tariq – God Connections
On This Day: Stepping Out for a Solo Statement
Thirty years ago, on August 20, 1996, Queens MC Al’ Tariq officially released his debut solo album, God Connections, through independent imprint Correct Records. For devoted fans of mid-90s East Coast hip-hop, this project holds a distinct place in underground history. Before launching his solo run, Al’ Tariq made a name for himself as Kool-Ass Fashion, the standout lyricist and charismatic frontline voice of The Beatnuts on foundational releases like Intoxicated Demons (1993) and The Beatnuts: Street Level (1994).
His transition into a solo artist was accompanied by personal growth. After taking his Shahada and embracing Islam, he adopted the moniker Al’ Tariq, aiming to start fresh, step away from past conflicts, and bring a sharper, more focused perspective to his lyricism.
Roadblocks and Industry Context
The journey leading up to God Connections was far from smooth. Following internal friction within The Beatnuts regarding tour conduct and missed management opportunities, Relativity Records declined to back a Fashion solo album, assuming it would merely mirror the group’s existing sound. However, newly formed indie label Correct Records stepped in to provide an outlet for the project.
The recording sessions took place at Long Island City’s Power Play Studios between June 1995 and March 1996. The album came together under heavy personal strain, as Al’ Tariq was simultaneously dealing with serious legal troubles in court. Despite the outside turbulence, the sessions produced a cohesive and grounded body of work.
Sonic Architecture and Standout Tracks
Despite the initial split from his group, Psycho Les took the reins behind the boards for most of the LP, supplying gritty boom-bap drum patterns, deep basslines, and dusty jazz and funk samples. Chicago beat architect No I.D. added melodic variety on tracks like “No Question” and “Everybody’s Talkin‘”, with additional production provided by V.I.C. and Lucien.
Opening cut “Crime Pays“, anchored by a sharp Raekwon vocal chop and scratches by Mista Sinista, set the gritty tone for the record. Lead single “Do Yo’ Thang” delivered uptempo energy over a Weather Report sample with Psycho Les handling hook duties. Meanwhile, “Peace Akki” served as a musical truce with The Beatnuts, and “Nikki” offered a polished touch with guest vocals from R&B singer Miss Jones.
Critical Reception and Enduring Legacy
While God Connections earned respect among underground enthusiasts and college radio DJs, its commercial reach was cut short when Correct Records dissolved shortly after its release. The album also endured a well-known editorial mishap in The Source, where an overwhelmingly positive write-up was inexplicably paired with a 2.5-mic rating.
Nevertheless, the album’s impact remained solid. The studio synergy between Al’ Tariq, Problemz, and Black Attack on this record directly laid the foundation for the formation of Missin’ Linx and their late-90s underground hit “M.I.A.“. Three decades later, God Connections remains a durable, well-crafted testament to pure 1996 New York boom-bap.
