Too Bad to Be True, or TBTBT, was a Canadian hip hop group, based in Toronto, Ontario, active in the 1990s. ^[1] They were best known for their 1993 album One Track Mind, which won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year at the 1994 Juno Awards. ^[2] The group consisted of teenagers Jeromy "Lyric J" Robinson, Shaka "DJ Shaka" Dodd, Al "Al C" Cox, and Frankie "MC Styles" Scarcelli. ^[1]

History

TBTBT began writing and recording raps in 1992 when they were still in school. They took part in Toronto's annual Stay Clear anti-drug campaign pop contest. ^[3] In 1993 the trio released the album One Track Mind on ISBA Records in Canada and Cold Chillin’/ Warner Bros. Records internationally. ^{[4] [5]}

The group received significant video airplay on MuchMusic for the album's title track, ^[4] but consistent with the commercial struggles faced by Canadian hip hop at the time, received almost no commercial radio airplay in Canada outside of the Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal markets. ^{[4] [6]}

In 1994 the group released a second single, "Get Down to It", from their album. ^[7] The track appeared on the RPM Canadian Content chart for six weeks in April and May that year. ^[8]

Legacy

Both of TBTBT member Jeromy Robison's sons have pursued a career in rap under the stage names of Casper TNG and K Money. ^[9]

Discography

Album

• One Track Mind (1993)

Singles

• "One Track Mind"
• "Get Down To It"

References