Da Bush Babees is a group of underground rap artists affiliated with the Native Tongues Posse. The members of the group are Babe-B-Face Kaos (later Lee Majors), Mister Man (later Mr. Khaliyl) and Y-Tee.
The three grew up in Jamaica and Trinidad, and hence reggae strongly influenced their style, but it was in 1992 in Brooklyn, NY, where Mister Man first saw Kaos perform, that the group formed. The two began collaborating, and after Mister Man suggested adding a reggae toaster Y-Tee joined the group. After their early concert dates sparked major-label interest, the trio performed live office auditions and signed with Reprise - three months after launching the group. Their debut, Ambushed (1994), featured production from Jermaine Dupri, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Salaam Gibbs (later known as Salaam Remi) and the group itself, among others. Later releases included "Remember We" in 1995 and their 1996 second album Gravity, which was the group's first underground and commercial success. It's lead single, "The Love Song", was produced by Posdnous of De La Soul and featured a then-unknown Mos Def singing the chorus.
Mr. Man later changed his moniker to Mr. Khaliyl and went on to produce for other artists, and also released a rare 12-inch single on Rawkus featuring Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and DCQ. Mr. Man's has also recently produced for such artists as Res and Fabolous.
