Stevie D and Big Perm of Illbotz met back in the magical year of 1997 at
Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA. They were both freshmen and lived on the
same hall in the same dorm. They ended up bonding through a mutual
love of Kris Kross, slap bracelets, Hypercolor clothing, and rancid malt
liquor. Who wouldn’t bond over such fine things?Stevie D had been making humorous rap songs and parodies since he
was about 12 years old and had self-released many albums on cassette
and CD including “Cracker’s Delight,” “Pass The Biscuits,” and
“Crackrocks 4 Tots.” During the recording of “Cracker’s Delight,” Stevie
D invited Big Perm to contribute a verse to a song on the album. It was
the first verse Big Perm had ever written or recorded and it was
fantastical! Big Perm continued to contribute to Stevie D’s albums.
In 2004, after graduating college, Stevie D and Big Perm moved to
Roanoke, VA. Through the advice of a good friend, Tony Goombah, they
decided to try and form the world’s greatest comedy group that happened
to live in Roanoke. Tony Goombah and his friend Dred offered their
recording spaces in exchange for Sheetz Hot Dogs, Gatorades, and Pixie
Sticks. With the contribution of beats from many local producers and
music by Stevie D and Big Perm, Illbotz recorded their first album,
“Nothing Rhymes with Engine.” The album did surprisingly well with
skits, humorous and satirical songs such as “We Mo’ Gangstalikeish,”
“Can’t Use The N Word,” and even the acoustic ballad “I Love You Just A
Little Bit Less (Than I Love Public Enemy).”
Illbotz started performing shows up and down the East Coast with other
local hip-hop groups, punk bands, indie bands, metal bands, etc. and
caught the attention of local DJ, DJ Samson. DJ Samson volunteered to
DJ some shows for Illbotz and their synergy onstage was incrediblazing!
DJ Samson, Stevie D, and Big Perm became the bestest of chums and
Samson was made the 3rd Illbot.
In 2006, Illbotz recorded a second album, “Illbotz 2: Electric Boogaloo,”
which was voted one of the top 5 local albums of that year in the Roanoke
Times. This album contained more beats from Stevie D and Big Perm and
also beats from DJ Samson as well as other local producers. Big Perm
also played guitar on the album. DJ Samson contributed keyboards. This
album continued where the first one left off with fresh comedy cuts such
as “It’s Illbotic,” “A Thousand Shades of Awesome,” and “I Miss You
Money (Witcha Dead Ass).” This album did amazingly well and made
Illbotz the most popular comedy rap group since X-Clan!
More recently, Illbotz have been getting older and because of that, have
started performing as an acoustic group with Big Perm playing acoustic
guitar and Stevie D attempting to sing. The comedy was still very
comical. They have started an advice column on RockNRoanoke.com
and the Roanoke Timescast entitled “Ask an Illbot” where they give
ridiculous advice to people who for some reason ask for it. They’ve
recorded videos with the help of TJ from public access TV show, TJTV,
which are available on YouTube. They’ve also assisted with episodes of
TJTV, made appearances in movies such as “The Vampires of Zanzibar”
and “Kitty Man.” They’ve also provided soundtracks for movies such as
“I Work for Johnny” and appeared on various compilations throughout
the area. Illbotz are currently recording their third album of rap songs,
skits, and acoustic Dan Fogelberg type ballads which is promised to be
the best album since “Shaq Fu: Da Return.” Ill out!