{{Short description|American hip hop duo from Brooklyn, New York}} {{Other uses|MOP (disambiguation){{!}}MOP}} {{more citations needed|date=October 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = M.O.P. | background = group_or_band | image = Mop-04-mika.jpg | caption = M.O.P. in 2001 | alias = {{hlist|Mash Out Posse|The Marxmen}} | origin = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]], U.S. | genre = {{hlist|[[East Coast hip-hop]]|[[hardcore hip-hop]] }} | years_active = 1992–present | label = {{hlist|First Family|[[Nature Sounds]]|[[Relativity Records|Relativity]]|[[Loud Records|Loud]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]|[[Koch Records|Koch]]|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]|[[G-Unit Records|G-Unit]]|Full Clip|[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]|[[Roc-A-Fella Records|Roc-A-Fella]]}} | website = | current_members = Lil' Fame <br />Billy Danze <small> </small> }} '''M.O.P.''' (short for '''Mash Out Posse''') is an American [[hip-hop]] duo composed of rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, best known for their song "[[Ante Up (song)|Ante Up]]."<ref name="bio">{{cite magazine |author=Ryan, Chris |year=2004 |title=M.O.P.: Biography |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mop/biography |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201002307/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mop/biography |archive-date=December 1, 2007 |access-date=2008-11-15 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref name="RS"/> The group has frequently collaborated with [[DJ Premier]]. The group is part of the [[Gang Starr Foundation]]. Fame occasionally produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack and has produced tracks on every M.O.P. release since 1996's ''[[Firing Squad (album)|Firing Squad]]''. He has also worked for other artists, including [[Kool G Rap]] and [[Wu-Tang Clan]].<ref name="G4">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/685956/Freestyle_101_Lil_Fame_MOP.html|title=Freestyle 101: Lil' Fame (M.O.P.)|publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4tv.com]]|author=Meyer, Frank|date=2008-06-03|access-date=2008-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111063419/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/685956/freestyle-101-lil-fame-mop/|archive-date=2013-01-11}}</ref>
==Origin== Lil' Fame (Jamal Grinnage; born April 9, 1976)<ref name="document"/> and Billy Danze (Eric Murray; born November 15, 1974)<ref name="document"/> grew up together in the neighborhood of [[Brownsville, Brooklyn]]. They formed a [[street gang]] called Mash Out Posse.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mop/articles/story/5918941/mop_prove_hiphops_fiercest_warriorz|title=M.O.P. Prove Hip-Hop's Fiercest Warriorz|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=2000-12-14| last=Charles| first= Pat |access-date=2008-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508213343/https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mop/articles/story/5918941/mop_prove_hiphops_fiercest_warriorz|archive-date=2006-05-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> They later formed a hip-hop duo under the same name. Danze reported that they kept "losing people in between albums;" their music often reflects emotional themes with a driving beat.<ref name="MOP">{{cite web|url=http://www.themashoutposse.com/about.htm |title=All about Mash Out Posse... |publisher=themashoutposse.com |year=2004 |access-date=2008-11-15 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050208015214/http://www.themashoutposse.com/about.htm |archive-date=2005-02-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Mop-06-mika.jpg|thumb|Performing in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]], in 1999]]
==History== ===Rise to Fame (1992–2005)=== After contributing to the 1992 compilation ''The Hill That's Real'', M.O.P. debuted in 1993 with the single "How About Some Hardcore?", which appeared on the [[film soundtrack|soundtrack]] for the film ''[[House Party 3]]''.<ref name="Shapiro">[[Peter Shapiro (journalist)|Shapiro, Peter]] (2005) "M.O.P." in ''The Rough Guide to Hip-Hop, 2nd edn.'', Rough Guides, {{ISBN|1-84353-263-8}}, p.259-261</ref> The underground success of their single, promoted by a low-budget video from then-unknown director [[Hype Williams]], led to their debut album ''[[To the Death (M.O.P. album)|To the Death]]''.<ref name="MOP"/> It was released in 1994 through the label [[Select Records]], almost fully produced by DR Period.
In 1996, M.O.P. released their second album, ''[[Firing Squad (album)|Firing Squad]],''<ref name="LarkinDM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music]]|editor-first=Colin |editor-last= Larkin| editor-link= Colin Larkin (writer) |publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1998|edition= 1st|isbn=0-7535-0252-6|page=208}}</ref> under the label [[Relativity Records]]. Production duties now involved [[Gang Starr]]'s [[DJ Premier]] and Lil' Fame himself, and the group continued to grow their following.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} In 1998, M.O.P. released the [[Handle Ur Bizness EP|''Handle Ur Bizness'']] [[Extended play|EP]], soon followed by the album ''[[First Family 4 Life]]''. Once again, much of the record was produced by DJ Premier and Lil' Fame. The album also featured guest appearances by [[Guru (rapper)|Guru]] of Gang Starr, [[Treach]] of [[Naughty by Nature]], [[O.C. (rapper)|OC]] of [[Diggin' in the Crates Crew]], and [[Jay-Z]]. The album was the most stolen album from New York City's [[HMV]] stores in 1998.<ref name="Shapiro" />
In 2000, they released their fourth album, ''[[Warriorz]]'', this time through [[Loud Records]]. Mainstream radio began playing the first single, "[[Ante Up (song)|Ante Up]]", produced by DR Period, whom they had not worked with since their debut. The single was a hit and propelled the album to No. 25 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r493905/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|title=Warriorz > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|website=[[allmusic]]}}</ref> The follow-up single, [[Cold as Ice (M.O.P. song)|"Cold As Ice]]", a self-produced track (which featured a sample of "[[Cold as Ice (Foreigner song)|Cold As Ice]]" by [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]]), also received radio airplay,<ref name="MOP"/> although partially censored for radio play. It was used in the [[UK]] in a TV advert for Maclean's Ice Whitening [[toothpaste]]. Both "Ante Up" and "Cold as Ice" reached the top ten on the [[UK Singles Chart]], peaking at No. 7 and No. 4 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/2486/m-o-p-/|title=M.O.P. - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> In 2001, M.O.P. collaborated with Krumbsnatcha to make the song "W.O.L.V.E.S.", which appeared on the [[Training Day (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for the film ''[[Training Day]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Krumb-snatcha-wolves-lyrics |title=Krumb Snatcha – W.O.L.V.E.S. Lyrics | Genius Lyrics |website=Genius.com |access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref>
In 2001, a successful remix of "Ante Up" was released featuring [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Remy Ma]], and Teflon.<ref name="MOP"/> That same year, they collaborated on a song titled "Life is Good" with the [[pop music|pop group]] [[LFO (group)|LFO]]. The song reached No. 40 on ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'''s [[Hot Singles Sales]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=m.o.p.|chart=Hot Singles Sales}} |title=Hot Singles Sales: Life Is Good |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]].com |access-date=2008-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702064804/http://www.billboard.com/artist/276837/mop/chart?f=353 |archive-date=July 2, 2014 }}</ref> Both singles continued the Posse's mainstream success.
In 2002, Loud Records folded, leaving the group stranded. In 2003, Loud's parent label Sony/Columbia issued an album titled ''<nowiki>10 Years and Gunnin'</nowiki>''. M.O.P. later joined Jay-Z and [[Damon Dash]]'s [[Roc-A-Fella Records]].<ref name="MOP"/> Their first recording for the label was a guest appearance on Jay-Z's album ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse]]''; they were set to release their album titled ''[[Ghetto Warfare]]'', but the anticipated album was shelved. Two other albums were recorded: one titled ''The Last Generation'', and the other titled ''Kill Nigga Die Slo Bluckka Bluckka Bloaoow Blood Sweat Tears and We Out''.<ref name="split"/> A Dash-produced track "It's That Simple" with [[Spice Girls|Spice Girl]] [[Victoria Beckham]] was created and received a premiere on radio stations in July 2003. This generated mixed reviews and further criticism, specifically that Beckham was unconvincing as an urban act.
During this period, the group released a slew of [[mixtapes]] and appeared on soundtracks to films such as ''[[Bad Boys II]]''. They contributed two songs ("Ground Zero" and "Put it in the Air") to the video game ''[[NFL Street 2]]'', and ("Fire") to ''[[Fight Night 2004]]''. They also contributed Ante Up to the third installment of the popular ''[[Midnight Club]]'' racing video game series. In 2004, M.O.P. joined the American [[rap rock]] band [[Linkin Park]] on the second stage of the [[Projekt Revolution]] Tour.<ref name="G4"/>
The group also released a mixtape called ''Marxmen Cinema'' (under the name The Marxmen), as well as a self-titled [[rap rock]] album (under the name Mash Out Posse), recorded as a collaboration with [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] group Shiner Massive.<ref name="Shapiro" /> In 2004, Damon Dash sold his share of Roc-A-Fella to new [[Def Jam]] president, Jay-Z, and kept M.O.P. on his new label, [[Dame Dash Music Group]]. Following this, the group announced their departure from Roc-A-Fella and Dame Dash in May 2005.<ref name="split">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/djpg1o/mop-split-from-roc-a-fella-and-dame-dash|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113134451/https://www.mtv.com/news/djpg1o/mop-split-from-roc-a-fella-and-dame-dash|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2023|title=M.O.P. Split From Roc-A-Fella And Dame Dash|publisher=[[MTV.com]]|author=Crosley, Hillary|date=2005-05-09|access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref>
===Modern success (2005–present)=== In 2005, M.O.P. began affiliating with [[50 Cent]]'s [[G-Unit Records]], around the same time as the [[Queens]] rap duo [[Mobb Deep]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Shaheem|title=50 Cent Wants To Sign Mobb Deep, M.O.P. To G-Unit Records|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/04rrol/50-cent-wants-to-sign-mobb-deep-mop-to-g-unit-records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204043949/https://www.mtv.com/news/04rrol/50-cent-wants-to-sign-mobb-deep-mop-to-g-unit-records|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 4, 2022|website=[[MTV]]|date=May 23, 2005|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> In July of the same year, they were signed to the label.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Watkins|first1=Grouchy Greg|title=M.O.P. Signs With G-Unit, Billy Danze Speaks|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/m-o-p-signs-with-g-unit-billy-danze-speaks/|website=[[AllHipHop]]|date=July 29, 2005|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> The duo completed the song "When Death Becomes You" with 50 Cent, which was featured on the [[Get Rich or Die Tryin' (soundtrack)|''Get Rich or Die Tryin''' soundtrack]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breihan|first1=Tom|title=Various Artists: Get Rich or Die Tryin' OST|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3047-get-rich-or-die-tryin-ost/|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=November 7, 2005|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> and also contributed their rap vocals in a remix of "[[I'll Whip Ya Head Boy]]".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roberson|first1=Justin|title=25 Rap Songs That Make Us Want To Punch Someone In the Face|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/justin-roberson/25-rap-songs-that-make-us-want-to-punch-someone-in-the-face|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=May 8, 2013|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> At the end of the year, M.O.P. released a compilation album entitled ''[[M.O.P. Salutes the St. Marxmen]]'', consisting of both new and old tracks.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Watkins|first1=Grouchy Greg|title=M.O.P. Salutes the St. Marxmen|url=https://allhiphop.com/reviews-music/m-o-p-salutes-the-st-marxmen/|website=[[AllHipHop]]|date=October 23, 2005|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> In July 2006, M.O.P. released the long-shelved ''[[Ghetto Warfare]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=((J-23))|title=Lost & Found: 10 Great Hip Hop Albums From The Vault|url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.1741/title.lost-found-10-great-hip-hop-albums-from-the-vault|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=July 29, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>
In February 2008, M.O.P. separated from G-Unit Records, due to creative differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/02/07/m_o_p_leave_g_unit_records|title=M.O.P. Leave G-Unit Records|website=Starpulse.com|publisher=[[World Entertainment News Network]]|date=2008-02-07|access-date=2008-11-15|archive-date=2011-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607000019/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/02/07/m_o_p_leave_g_unit_records|url-status=dead}}</ref> Billy and Fame released their next album, ''The Foundation'', in 2009 on [[E1 Music]]. The album featured production from [[DJ Premier]], [[Statik Selektah]], [[The Alchemist (musician)|The Alchemist]], and [[Jake One]], and guest appearances from [[Heltah Skeltah]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Jadakiss]], [[Beanie Sigel]], [[Styles P]] and [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wiseguyzent.com/wordpress/?p=586 |title=M.O.P. Will Release New Album Foundation on 06/30/09 |publisher=Wiseguyz Entertainment LLC |date=2009-05-12 |access-date=2017-07-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808034400/http://wiseguyzent.com/wordpress/?p=586 |archive-date=2009-08-08 }}</ref> The first single from the album "Blow the Horns" featuring Busta Rhymes, and "Street Life," a collaboration with [[dancehall]] artist [[Demarco (artist)|Demarco]], were both released on the internet.
On October 14, 2008, M.O.P. filed suit in a New York Federal Court against [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) and [[John Cena]]. The group argued that Cena and the WWE stole parts of their song "Ante Up" for Cena's theme song "The Time is Now". The theme song is also featured as the first track on Cena's album ''[[You Can't See Me]]''. The lawsuit has since been dropped, and it is unknown if a settlement was reached outside of court.<ref name="document">{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2008/10/28/cena-rumbles-with-rappers-over-theme-music/ |title=Cena Rumbles with Rappers Over Theme Music|publisher= |website= [[TMZ.com]]|date=2008-10-28|access-date=2008-11-18}}</ref>
In June 2009, a ''[[Wu-Tang Chamber Music]]'' compilation album was released, the majority of which was produced by Lil' Fame (as Fizzy Womack).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Breihan|first1=Tom|title=Wu-Tang Clan: Wu-Tang Chamber Music|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13242-wu-tang-chamber-music-vol-1/|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=July 6, 2009|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> M.O.P. themselves appeared on the track "Ill Figures" alongside [[Raekwon]] and Kool G Rap.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.1209/title.wu-tang-clan-chamber-music|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=July 2, 2009|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> Lil' Fame also produced the 2011 [[Wu-Tang Clan]] compilation ''[[Legendary Weapons]]'' alongside [[Noah Rubin (music executive)|Noah Rubin]] and Andrew Kelley.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wu-Tang Clan Compilation "Legendary Weapons" Tracklisting Revealed|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.15306/title.wu-tang-clan-compilation-legendary-weapons-tracklisting-revealed|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=June 7, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>
On October 24, 2011, M.O.P. released "Get Yours",<ref>{{cite web|title=M.O.P. - Get Yours [Prod. Snowgoons]|url=https://hiphopdx.com/singles/id.17309/title.m-o-p-get-yours-prod-snowgoons|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=October 24, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> their first single from their collaborative album [[Sparta (album)|''Sparta'']] with the German production team [[Snowgoons]], on Babygrand Records.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lelinwalla|first1=Mark|title=M.O.P., Sparta|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/m-o-p-sparta/|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=November 21, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>
Lil Fame and [[Termanology]] teamed up on a collaborative album, ''[[Fizzyology]]''. It was released on November 6, 2012, via Brick Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/lil-fame-termanology-fizzyology/id572163801|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111115121/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/lil-fame-termanology-fizzyology/id572163801|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2013|title= Lil Fame & Termanology = Fizzyology by Fizzyology|work=iTunes| date=6 November 2012 }}</ref>
On November 18, 2014, M.O.P. released a new EP, ''Street Certified'', on [[Nature Sounds]]. It is executive produced by DJ Premier and features guest appearances from [[Maino (rapper)|Maino]], [[Mobb Deep]], and Busta Rhymes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dowling|first1=Marcus|title=M.O.P. - Street Certified|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2387/title.m-o-p-street-certified|website=[[HipHopDX]]|date=November 25, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref> In 2019, M.O.P. released the single "Never Give Up" with [[DJ Tomekk]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Grant|title=An ode to the Mash Out Posse – Part 5|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2020/11/an-ode-to-the-mash-out-posse-part-5/|website=RapReviews|date=February 19, 2024|access-date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>
Danze and Fame each contributed a verse to [[DJ Kayslay|DJ Kay Slay]]'s 2020 track "Rolling 50 Deep" alongside 48 other MCs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/305412-kay-slays-insane-rolling-50-deep-features-raekwon-ghostface-and-48-more-lyricists-new-song | title=Kay Slay's Insane "Rolling 50 Deep" Features Raekwon, Ghostface, & 48 More Lyricists | website=HNHH | date=13 November 2020 }}</ref>
[[File:Mop-01-mika.jpg|thumb|1999]]
==Discography== {{Main|M.O.P. discography}} '''Studio albums''' *''[[To the Death (M.O.P. album)|To the Death]]'' (1994) *''[[Firing Squad (album)|Firing Squad]]'' (1996) *''[[First Family 4 Life]]'' (1998) *''[[Warriorz]]'' (2000) *''[[Mash Out Posse (album)|Mash Out Posse]]'' (2004) *''Marxmen Cinema'' <small>(as The Marxmen)</small> (2004) *''[[St. Marxmen]]'' (2005) *''[[Ghetto Warfare]]'' (2006) *''[[Foundation (M.O.P. album)|Foundation]]'' (2009) *''[[Sparta (album)|Sparta]]'' (2011) <small>(with [[Snowgoons]])</small> *''Street Certified'' (2014)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20020923022445/http://mashoutposse.com/ Official M.O.P website] * [http://mixeryrawdeluxe.tv/index.php/News/Index/style/pastshows/id/6212 Interview on Mixery Raw Deluxe] (February 2010) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080611072135/http://www.hiphopcanada.com/_site/entertainment/interviews/ent_int457.php HipHopCanada.com Interview] (April 2008) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070629074048/http://www.itshiphop.tv/shows/thebreakdown/1/19 ItsHipHop.tv Video Interview] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070320003505/http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1730 Interview] * [http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/index/2010-09-25T08_51_26-07_00 MOP discuss their future in an interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio September 2010]
{{M.O.P.}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:1992 establishments in New York City]] [[Category:African-American musical duos]] [[Category:Musical duos from New York (state)]] [[Category:Five percenters]] [[Category:G-Unit Records artists]] [[Category:American hip-hop duos]] [[Category:Hip-hop groups from New York City]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1992]] [[Category:Musical groups from Brooklyn]] [[Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists]] [[Category:Select Records artists]] [[Category:East Coast hip-hop groups]] [[Category:Hardcore hip-hop groups]] [[Category:People from Brownsville, Brooklyn]] [[Category:Gang Starr Foundation members]]