Jason Furlow (Nosaj) and Sebastian Laws formed New Kingdom after meeting at Canal Jeans, a New York City clothing store where they both worked. Though both were fans of hip hop, Sebastian spent some time playing in hardcore punk bands, while Nosaj was primarily influenced by the music of Curtis Mayfield.
The two started working together in 1987, making 70’s influenced hip hop, although they couldn’t afford to make records. Soon after that they moved into the studio and hooked up with engineer Scott Harding (Scotty Hard). Scotty started helping them achieve the sound that they wanted as well as adding his own ideas to the New Kingdom sound.
Scott then helped them shop the demo that they made to a couple of labels. Gee Street was the label that seemed the most interested and that would give them the freedom to make the album that they wanted to make, so they decided to sign a demo deal with them.
After two years on a demo deal, they were officially signed in 1992. Their debut album Heavy Load appeared one year later, a unique blend of old-style samples, doped-up soul and road movie cool.
Their second album, Paradise Don’t Come Cheap surfaced in 1996, a darker, heavier offering altogether; low, fuzzy sound oozing with dense beats, mangled power chords, subterranean bass, and distorted, mythic rhymes.
After touring in 1997/98 New Kingdom decided to take a small hiatus to work on other projects (Truck Stop, Freak Brothers etc.) During that time Jason had a kid, and Gee Street got bought out by V2 and most of the acts got dropped – including New Kingdom and their back catalogue which remains out of print to this day.
New Kingdom has since been in a limbo. However, in 2005 rumours were circulating that there may be a new album. As time goes on, it seems less likely – but should it appear, it may just be the spur to send a whole new generation of music fans back to discover some of the greatest hip hop the 90s had to offer.