Tacoma’s Black Anger released their first demo tape in 1994, and then two years later K Records in Olympia pressed up the group’s first vinyl single, “Feel What I Feel.” Fans were paying attention, and 1997 was a big year for Black Anger. The group dropped a strong EP called Maxed Out Singles, which contained the two songs from the group’s ’96 single plus four new original tracks.

206 Mix Tapes (Worldwide) is a separate EP which contains four cuts from Maxed Out Singles, and their corresponding instrumentals. The covers are very similar with the same silver jacket, but for 206 Mix Tapes (Worldwide) the art is a vibrant green, whereas the Maxed Out Singles art was electric red. In fact the two releases even share the same catalog number (KLP 71) at K Records.

The first two tracks on 206 Mix Tapes (Worldwide) are radio edits of “206 Mix Tapes” and “Conscious Attack.” Track three, “Violence I Become It” repurposes a dope Nas lyric in the chorus, while the melody takes your ear for a ride. The last track on side A, “Still No Commercial,” has a few zig zags and surprises up its sleeve. The B-side has instrumentals of the four songs found on the A-side, very useful for the DJs of the world. Following this release, the group’s single “Third Eye” made it onto the 1998 Classic Elements compilation, but according to Discogs, “Third Eye” seems to be Black Anger’s last official song together as a group. Written by Novocaine132

Black Anger is an extension of the sibling production team Bedroom Produksionz, consisting of DJ Sayeed and emcee Kindu. With the addition of E-Real Asim, they become Black Anger. In my opinion, they occupy the top tier of ’90s Northwest acts along with Tribal Productions, Silent Lambs, and Source of Labor. This EP was put out by K records in ’97 and remains a high point in the recorded output of local acts – especially “206 Mix Tapes,” one of the dopest tracks in ’90s hip-hop – period. (This review originally appeared on the Bring That Beat Back blog and was written by Jack Devo.)

From 1994, Black Anger’s Damn!… Da Demo cassette is one of the rarest and storied objects in the history of Seattle hip-hop. Collectors discuss it with hushed tones: “So, have YOU heard Damn Da Demo?”

I once had a long debate with Larry Mizell Jr over whether this cassette was amongst the greatest record of all PNW hip-hop.

Hailing from Tacoma, Black Anger was active and acclaimed between 1994 and 2000. Their recorded output consists of a handful of spectacular 12” EPs and a later compilation of these singles called Maxed Out Singles.

This demo was their first project and it hits hard with a confidence that carries through all of their music. The lead track on this demo cassette is “nigga stick.” It’s a song of magical metamorphosis. The lyrics loop around “the stick” … first, as a symbol of oppression, then as one of self-defense, and finally as an expression of phallic pride. On the second side, the song is remixed with a chill lounge vibe that makes it both more familiar and completely unrecognizable.

The group were both talented rappers and accomplished producers (working under the name Bedroom Produksionz). You can hear these twin talents in the interplay between the beats and verses, one finding the gaps in the other like gears. This music is remarkable to listen to.

Apparently, only a handful of these demo cassettes were ever made. Olympia’s KAOS radio was in the process of throwing out this copy when musician Dawhud saved it from the trash bin. Thank you, sir, for preserving history. This is easily one of my favorite of all-time records.