{"id":224689,"date":"2026-03-12T08:59:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackouthiphop.com\/blog\/?p=224689"},"modified":"2026-03-12T08:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:59:21","slug":"30-years-deep-wise-intelligents-killin-u-for-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackouthiphop.com\/blog\/30-years-deep-wise-intelligents-killin-u-for-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Years Deep: Wise Intelligent\u2019s Killin\u2019 U… For Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, March 12<\/strong>, 2026, marks exactly thirty years<\/strong> since Timothy Grimes, better known in the hip-hop world as Wise Intelligent<\/strong>, released his first solo project, Killin’ U… For Fun<\/strong>. For those who followed the 90s scene, Wise was synonymous with the sharp and eloquent energy of the Trenton<\/strong>, New Jersey<\/strong> trio Poor Righteous Teachers (PRT)<\/strong>. However, 1996 was a turning point\u2014the moment this “teacher” decided to step outside the group\u2019s framework and test his skills on his own terms.<\/p>\n

The mid-90s were a tough era for “conscious” emcees. While the charts were dominated by Biggie<\/strong>, Pac<\/strong>, and the rising wave of mafioso rap, Wise Intelligent<\/strong> remained loyal to the doctrine of the Nation of Gods and Earths (Five Percent Nation). The album was released through a partnership between Contract Recording Company<\/strong> and Profile Records<\/strong>, at a time when PRT was battling major label bureaucracy. Kevon Glickman<\/strong> recognized the potential to showcase Wise as the most technically gifted emcee of his generation, free from corporate filters.<\/p>\n

The sonic identity of the album was almost entirely crafted by the legendary Tony D<\/strong> (Anthony Depula). His ability to create “thick” jazz textures perfectly complemented Wise\u2019s fast and syncopated flow. Tracks like “My Sound<\/strong>” and “Steady Slangin<\/strong>‘” are prime examples of that “butter-smooth” production that defined the Trenton sound of that era. Tony D masterfully used eerie bass lines and hypnotic piano loops, giving Wise the space to explore various vocal styles, from traditional rapping to ragga-chanting.<\/p>\n