Do or Die

by John Bush Chicagos Do or Die gained a hit with their first single, Po Pimp. Released on a tiny Chicago label, the track became a local hit and sparked the groups signing by Houstons Rap-A-Lot Records. Given a wide release in the summer of 1996, the single hit number 22, increasing the buzz for a full-length from the group. In September of that year, Picture This was released on Rap-A-Lot. Do or Die returned to action in the spring of 1998, releasing their second album, Headz or Tailz. Victory followed two years later. Back 2 the Game (2002) and Pimpin Aint Dead (2003) did well in Chicago and on the West Coast, but nationwide the group was being ignored by radio. With R. Kelly, Kanye West, and Twista all making guest appearances, 2005s D.O.D. was an attempt to change this. A year later, Do or Die went in a totally different direction by releasing the hard, street-minded Get That Paper with Bun B the lone guest star.