N2Deep

by Jason BirchmeierPioneering Chicano gangsta rappers N2Deep signed to Profile Records in the early '90s and remained an underground presence in Northern California for the remainder of the decade. Comprised of James Trujillo (Jay Tee) and Timothy Lyons (TL), the duo debuted with Back to the Hotel (1992) but left the fledging Profile afterward. N2Deep's successive efforts never quite lived up to their initial promise with Profile; however, the duo continued to release underground albums that fans appreciated, much of the better material distilled for a pair of competing best-of collections, one compiled by Soul Town (1999), the other by 40 Ounce (2002).