Deadly Venoms – The Antidote | Black Stone of Mecca

Deadly Venoms: The Rise, Evolution & Unreleased Legacy Can you imagine a female rap supergroup, a female Wu-Tang clan? A crew where all participating MCs with completely different styles start, tear down soloists and still function as a unit? At the end of the 1990s, a similar supergroup was formed in the USA: the Deadly Venoms. In honor of International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to Deadly Venoms, a pioneering all-female collective that stood strong in a male-dominated industry. Their story, often overlooked, is one of raw talent, perseverance, and unrealized potential—a testament to the strength of women in hip-hop. Origins & Formation Deadly Venoms was envisioned as the female counterpart to the Wu-Tang Clan, uniting some of the most skilled women in the game. Under the guidance of producers Norman “Storm” Bell and Russell “Russ Prez” Pressley, and Wu-Tang Management, the group was formed to challenge the industry’s lack of respect for female MCs. The original lineup consisted of 10 members selected through auditions: J-Boo, Champ MC, D’Dae, Sinner, Madame Starr, Farrah Burns, Lin Que, Finesse, N-Tyce, and Blunt Early recordings included unreleased tracks such as “Boulevard” (featuring Sinner and D’Dae) and “Bomb Threat.” which was their first single out. Eventually, the lineup was narrowed down to five: N-Tyce, Champ MC, J-Boo, Finesse, and Lin Que. Lin Que departed after their debut single, and by their final album, Finesse had also left, leaving just three members standing. The Members & Their Histories: Finesse – One-half of the duo Finesse & Synquis, she had been active since 1987, releasing the album Soul Sisters. N-Tyce – Recording since 1990, she gained recognition with her 1994 track “Hush Hush Tip”, produced by RZA and featuring Method Man. Champ MC – Once considered a female Rakim, she released Ghetto Flava (1994) on Elektra but remained underrated. J-Boo – The then newcomer from Queensbridge, NY, the same neighborhood as Nas and Mobb Deep, Deadly Venoms marked her professional debut. Lin Que (Isis) – Known for her work with X-Clan, she was originally meant to complete the group’s core but left for undisclosed reasons. Label Struggles & Unreleased Albums: Deadly Venoms first signed with A&M Records, where they recorded their debut album, Deadly Venoms (The Antidote). Due to label disputes, the release was canceled, and only a promotional sampler and less than 7 test press CDs circulated among fans. They then signed with DreamWorks, completing a new album titled Pretty Thugs. Although advanced copies leaked, the album never saw an official release. By 2002, Finesse had left for business reasons, and the group rebranded with a new lineup, ultimately releasing their only official album, Still Standing. The Future of Deadly Venoms: Despite their groundbreaking presence, the Venoms never received the recognition they deserved. This March 8th, we honor Deadly Venoms and all the women who have paved the way in hip-hop. Their story is one of resilience, skill, and an industry that wasn’t ready for them—but hip-hop will never forget. A GREAT classic album (5 out of 5 Mics) and a MUST for any Wu-Tang and hiphop fan. Stay tuned. This drop is for them. The CDs come in three distinct versions: two alternate covers and a sampler, each featuring exclusive content unique to its edition. credits released March 28, 2025 Produced by RZA (tracks: 15, 16) Russ Prez (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 13, 19) Storm (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 20) True Master (tracks: 18) Executive-Producer – Russ Prez, Storm, Protect Ya Neck Productions/Wu-Tang Management Management – John “Mook” Gibbons Album graphics reinterpreted by TEA Designs Released under license via Black Stone of Mecca