Rarely do the strong survive long enough to tell their story in their own words, so bear witness to some of the most notorious deal makers and street shakers in FX’s new docu-series Hip-Hop Uncovered. Hailing from hardcore locations all over the map, California’s Eugene “Big U” Henley, Queens, New York siblings James “Bimmy” Antney and Deb Antney, Detroit’s Trick Trick and Brooklyn’s infamous Haitian Jack, represent the mind and the muscle of the rap world’s background boss section, where the real money and moves are made.
After last week’s two-episode debut (Feb. 12th) of a six-episode season, we have the cast member’s thoughts on what it was like taping the show and why they participated in the series. Remember, these storied behind the scenes executives are normally in the background, but are now telling their important stories that weave their importance in the industry that shapes the world…hip-hop.“A true dime is steel-heavier than a dollar.” Watch Hip-Hop Uncovered Fridays at 10 pm ET on FX.
Deb Antney:
“By doing the show, it was very therapeutic. I’ve opened up and let you get a glance of what is in my Pandora’s box. I’ve shed pounds, even inches. I’m truly grateful I’m here to tell any part of my story. Now get ready for my book Unmanageable Me.
The show allowed me to showcase my truth the way it needed to be told. The Debra Antney way!
Being Debra Antney was not always glitter or gold. Like most, I went through some things. I was defiantly a product of my environment, it made me who I am today! I always knew how to get myself to the top and that’s exactly what I did. Thank you for being a part of my journey.”
Big U:
“I loved filming this show. It brought up so many memories going back to the house I grew up in, remembering those special moments with family. It was fun to sort of relive my past, but the best part was really seeing my evolution. I’m such a different man today than I was back then. I feel good that the world will get to see the person I’ve become. I did it because for the first time, I knew I could be in full control of my own story, especially since I’m an Executive Producer on the series.”
Trick Trick:
“[Taping the series was] weird as f—!! Because, I’m not used to that type of attention. I’m very private, but oddly enough, it was somewhat… refreshing!
[I did the show] because Big U called.”
Bimmy:
“Well, I choose to do the series because I was told who was involved from the cast to an all-Black production. Taping was like me living my past all over again and we show[ed] the world how we really lived and the things we went through.”
Haitian Jack:
“Taping the series, to me, was definitely a great experience. Everybody that was on there, [producers] Oby, Rashidi and everyone else were very polite to everyone and we got everything we asked for. When you have a crew like that, it makes it really easy for you to work with it.
[I did the show because] I like when they started to say, ‘Let’s dig back into the past,’ because that’s what my life is all about, the past. The fact that Big U came up with it and hit me up with it is another reason because I respect what he is doing out there with the kids and his foundation. So I didn’t mind teaming up with him and everybody else, Deb and Trick Trick, Bimmy. I think we have a great cast and I’m proud to be a part of it. I think we did it because we all knew where hip-hop came from because we lived it. We wasn’t just some people who just popped up out of nowhere and started blogging about it. We were there. We watched the deaths, we watched the lifetime prison sentences. We lost a lot of friends to death and prison. We all lived it. They are going to get a good account of what went on in the 70s and 80s.”
The Maccabees may either part ways again or return with new music and step back into being a “functioning band” in 2026.
The Toothpaste Kisses group shared their intention to call it quits in 2016, then played a run of farewell concerts the following year.
Even so, they came back together in 2024 and hit the stage again this year, taking top billing at All Points East and performing at Glastonbury.
Guitarist Felix White has now shared that their shows planned for next year, which they have not announced yet, will determine whether they continue as a group and begin working on new material for the first time since their 2015 album Marks to Prove It.
The Whatever will be, will be: A Matter of Life and Football writer told the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Award that their recent performances changed their perspective. He said, “After we played at Glastonbury and All Points East this year, we thought that might just be it, but everyone had such a good time. It felt so euphoric, so why wouldn’t we want to do that again!”
When asked if a follow up to Marks to Prove It might happen, he responded, “The answer is, we don’t know.
“Having those shows in next year means we’ve got enough time to think about it and see which way it’s going to go. If The Maccabees keep going beyond that point, we’d want to feel like a functioning band that are making music and are there for a reason.”
He also stressed that the upcoming dates “will either be the last Maccabees shows, or we’ll try and make some music and see where it goes."
Felix acknowledged that balancing the group’s plans with his other commitments has been tough.
White continued, “I’ve found it really hard to juggle all the things I’ve been doing over the past year or so. When The Maccabees was the only thing in my life, I had to dedicate a large chunk of time to it in order for it to work.
“I didn’t really have the space to even consider it this year, but it’s starting to clear now. As long as I don’t get too good an idea for another sports book, it’ll more likely, but we’ll see what happens!”
The musician said he needs a breather so he can figure out “what’s next for me creatively.”
He shared, “I haven’t got another book in my mind at the moment.
“I’ve had a really mad year where I was doing a film score, writing my book around the FA Cup, playing in The Maccabees, doing the Tailenders podcast and then Jimmy [Anderson] and I went on tour!
“So, I’m just going to have a couple of months of stopping and working out what’s next for me creatively.”
