Biography:
Inspectah Deck was one of the Wu-Tang Clan`s lesser-known members, despite his talent as both an MC and producer. Born Jason Hunter, Deck earned the first part of his nickname as the quiet, watchful eye in the corner; his other aliases included Rollie Fingers, Fifth Brother, and Rebel INS, the latter a graffiti name tag he used as a youngster. Deck was born in Brooklyn but grew up on Staten Island, attending school with several future Wu members. He was heard on most of the key tracks from the group`s classic 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), including the singles "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck." He made guest appearances on most of the ensuing Wu-Tang solo projects, with particularly attention-grabbing work on Raekwon`s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and Genius` Liquid Swords. However, the release of his own solo debut -- which was rumored to have been completed in 1995 -- was postponed indefinitely. Meanwhile, "Let Me at Them," effectively a Deck solo track that was credited to the Clan, appeared on the Tales From the Hood soundtrack in 1995. Deck was an overlooked presence on the Clan`s sprawling second album, Wu-Tang Forever (1997); among other appearances, he produced the track "Visionz" and contributed the essentially solo "The City." In 1999, he finally released his debut solo album, Uncontrolled Substance, which featured a number of less-exposed Wu-Tang affiliates as guests, not to mention more of Deck`s own production. The record sold pretty well, climbing into the Top Five of the R&B charts. Deck subsequently returned to the Wu-Tang fold for the albums The W and Iron Flag. In 2003 the rapper released his follow-up, The Movement, and three years later The Resident Patient came out.
