Flatlinerz

The Flatlinerz are a Horrorcore Rap band from Brooklyn, New York. The band were one of the first bands to coin the popular Horrorcore Rap term.

The band were led by Jamal 'Redrum' Simmons (nephew to Russel Simmons) and two other rappers called Gravedigger and Tempest. The idea thought up by Def Jam and The Flatlinerzs was that the band create a style of Rap music that moved away from the popular gangsta rap at the time, and deal with more darker subjects such as Satanism, horror movies and gruesome murder. The band was heavily predicted as the next big thing by Def Jam after they where signed to Def Jam by Jam Master Jay (contrary to belief, Russel Simmons apparently didn't sign The Flatlinerz as he couldn't take the concept seriously) and released their only album, U.S.A (which stood for Under Satan's Authority).

The album didn't sell well, and there was a lot of controversy surrounding the videos for Live Evil and Satanic Verses (it featured things like frontman Redrum rapping whilst hanging from a noose and Gravedigger rapping from a crucifixion) and the band was later dropped by Def Jam, since nobody understood the concept of Horrorcore at the time (there was also the fact the album was released at the same time as the other Horrorcore group, The Gravediggaz) which stopped a lot of projects such the band where ready to release a Comic book, and two of Flatlinerz's associates (namely The Headless Horsemen and Omen, who were featured on the debut album) who had been promised label signings were dropped also.

According to the official Flatlinerz myspace The group are much active, although the band hasn't made any new material in years. Redrum later went on to appear in small roles in Horror movies The addiction and R' Xmas and later start a clothing store in Manhattan, whilst Gravedigger and Tempest went on to to do solo projects. Redrum to started a clothing company with the aid of his wife. Though the name or brand of the clothing line in unknown.

Recently, new tracks have appeared on the Flatlinerz myspace, one of which is called "Redrum's Back" which features frontman Redrum returning to the usual horror-esque rapping style. Although there is new songs, there has confirmation of a new album yet.