Brooklyn's Rampage, the self-proclaimed "lyrical lieutanant" of the FlipmodeSquad, has taken a cue from cousin Busta Rhymes by starting his own hip-hopfamily|. Scout's Honor Entertainment, founded with fellow BK MC, Stormlord,is Ramp's way of feeding the hungry, and he is only looking for artists whoare starving. "Any kid in the hood...can get with me," he says. "If he'smaking the venom shit, we can roll."

In 1994, Rampage released his debut 12", Beware of the Rampsack, on Dallas Austin'sRowdy Records, but eventually left the label for business reasons. After afew cameos, including a spot on Craig Mack's classic "Flava in Ya Ear"remix, he rejoined forces with Busta Rhymes and signed with Flipmode/ElektraEntertainment in 1996. In 1997, Rampage released Scout's Honor...By Wayof Blood, and as Busta went, so did the rest of the Flipmode Squad. Notcontent with being a mere soldier, however, Ramp soon began making battleplans to launch his own attack.

"The industry can't see right now... they're blind to the fact," Rampagesays, describing the effect that Scout's Honor and its affiliate, SubmissionEntertainment, will have on the hip-hop world. In adding Yonkers-based MC RichieThumbs, R&B crooner David Morris, and NYC rockers Chelsea Dogs, thedo-it-yourself label appears to have its bases covered, but there's alwaysroom for more. Rampage says a potential crew of 32 producers (including fellow Flipmodians) will ensure continuous product for the label.

As of press time, Scout's Honor is still finalizing their distribution plans, but two releases are already on the fall schedule, Stormlord's "Woop, Woop" and Thumbs' "Stay Rich". Rampage says Scout's Honor plans to release two albums before the millenium, and vows that"no one will stop me when I release these bombs." Living by the Flipmodecoda, "it's not a game, it's not why we came," the Brooklyn Bomber is allbusiness, continuing to provide sustenance to his new family and legions ofhungry hip-hop heads. - Ronnie Reese