Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Pete Rock & CL Smooth
CL Smooth (left) and Pete Rock (right) in 1994
Background information
Also known as	PR & CL
Origin	Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Genres	Golden age hip hop jazz rap
Years active	1989–1995 1998 2001 2004 2010–2018
Labels	Elektra Untouchables
Members	Pete Rock CL Smooth

Pete Rock & CL Smooth were an American hip hop duo from Mount Vernon, New York. They made their debut with their 1991 EP, All Souled Out and followed that with their 1992 LP Mecca and the Soul Brother. ^[1]

As a producer, DJ Pete Rock (Peter Phillips) gained notoriety for his use of obscure soul and jazz records, frequently making use of horn-driven hooks. Lead vocalist CL Smooth (Corey Penn) delivered more conscious style of rap which contrasted with the popular gangsta rap records of the time, and he mostly avoided profanity, similar in style and delivery to positive East Coast rappers like those associated with the Native Tongues Crew. Their signature hit was "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", a requiem for fallen friends — namely Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon, a member of Heavy D & The Boyz, who died in 1990.^[2] They were first signed to Elektra Records, managed, and executive produced by Eddie F of Heavy D and The Boyz and Untouchables Entertainment who also then managed Pete Rock as a producer. Pete Rock was one of the original three "Untouchables" producers along with Eddie F himself and Nevelle Hodge.^[1]

In 1994 the duo followed up with The Main Ingredient, and they appeared as frequent guest artists collaborating on remixes, soundtracks, and other works. Public Enemy, EPMD, Heavy D and Johnny Gill were among the artists they collaborated with, and they can also claim credit for producing (and performing on) Run–D.M.C.'s 1993 comeback single "Down with the King".^[1]

The group broke up in 1995 (shortly after a Sprite TV commercial), however they have collaborated several times since on a handful of cuts from Pete Rock's solo recordings: Soul Survivor (1998), PeteStrumentals (2001) and Soul Survivor II (2004). The duo also went on a brief reunion tour as a warm up for their then-anticipated new album, which ended with a show at London's famous Jazz Cafe. Despite these intermittent collaborations, the pair has exchanged dismissive comments toward each other in separate interviews, disavowing plans for a full-fledged reunion.^[1]

Their best-of compilation, Good Life, was released on Elektra/WEA in 2003.

During this period, CL Smooth went on to release two solo albums - American Me in 2006 and The Outsider in 2007. Pete Rock would produce tracks for numerous artists, including CL Smooth's It's a Love Thing and Love is a Battlefield from each of his solo albums. Pete Rock had confirmed that among his promised new slew of releases in 2011, that one of the albums would be the third album between himself and CL Smooth.

A deluxe CD box set of Mecca and the Soul Brother was released on September 14, 2010 by Traffic Entertainment Group. The package includes a remastered CD of the original album, a second disc of remixes, instrumentals and a cappellas, a fold-out poster and a detailed booklet with interviews and insights from Rock and Smooth by Brian Coleman.

In late 2010, the two finally ended their creative differences after 15 years of being at odds with each other. The death of hip-hop pioneer Guru earlier in the year was a major catalyst to inspire their reunion. They wanted to avoid the fate which befell Gang Starr, in which lead rapper Guru had not been on speaking terms with DJ Premier for roughly seven years and could not resolve their differences before his untimely death from cancer.

While touring in London with CL Smooth in early December 2011, Pete Rock stated that a new album was already in the works and would be released by year's end, or as soon as it was completed. The album will be the duo's third album, and the first album since 1994's The Main Ingredient. The album was still in the works in 2016,^[3] but as of 2018, it has been stated that there won't be any third album by the group, due to resurfacing tensions between Rock and Smooth.

As of June 1, 2024, on an interview with Drink Champs, Rock addresses the split between him and his partner CL Smooth:^[4]

“It should never be like this. Ever. We should still be together but some things, you know, that I can’t tell the whole public. But certain things happen in a partnership that just can’t be… and people won’t understand. I don’t want to be the only one speaking on someone who’s not here, but I wish him the best in life."

Rock continued in a Instagram post about the breakup:^[5]

"This goes for anybody once in a group with a partner or partners. When things go left, take the high road. You have people who rejoice separation! When I make my business my business people start making up their own story cuz it’s nobody’s business but mine plain & simple like it or don’t. You have people who tell their stories no problem and be on dem podcast talkin bout personal problems, thats not me mayne! F**k drama. That sh*t happened thats my business. Let people say and think what they want. Ignorance is bliss and real ones know this but dont believe groups stay 4ever. That only happens when 2 men really respect one another and their boundaries and has had similar experiences happen to them and it gives each individual great understanding. Thats the important part! But i wish no ill will on CL Smooth but i kept telling yall for years i have moved on with all due respect . i can accept it."

• April 1993: Who's the Man?: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, track 3, "What's Next on the Menu?"
• May 1993: Menace II Society: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, track 10, “Death Becomes You”
• June 1993: Poetic Justice: Music from the Motion Picture, track 6, “One in a Million”

• 2003: Good Life: The Best of Pete Rock & CL Smooth

• Interview with Pete Rock
• Interview with CL Smooth
• Pete Rock & CL Smooth at Discogs.com