Skitzofreniks

by Cyril CordorIn spite of their lacking discography, cult-favorite duo the Skitzofreniks have been important mainstays in Boston's hip-hop underground since the early ?90s. Originally formed in Cambridge, MA, the two -- rapper Charlie Bawles (aka CheckMark) plus DJ/producer Eddie Bones -- first began recording in 1991 and earned their reputation almost exclusively from their local performances. In 1998, they self-released on CD-R the On My Own SH!T EP, which landed them a recording deal with Boston's Brick Records. The label officially pressed the EP the following year and then issued "On My Own SH!T" and the fan-pleasing, posse cut "Skitzofreniks' State," featuring Boston locals 7L & Esoteric, Reks, and Virtuoso, as underground singles. More 12"s arrived in 2000: "Slow It Down" on Bad Magic and "C'Mon Dude!?!" on Brick. The indie rap boom of the late ?90s and early 2000s provided Boston's rap scene a national stage, prompting the Skitzofreniks to indulge in several collaborations with other Beantown natives, including Mr. Lif and Akrobatik; Bones also obtained beat placements on albums by Louis Logic, Reks, and many others. The duo's first full-length, Enter the Realm, finally surfaced in 2002.