Who?: Sir Ibu (of Divine Force)
"Holy War (Live)"/"Somethin Different" Yamak-ka Record (1987)
So one of my peeps hits me up like, and I quote, “Alvin, if you can find “Holy Wars” (1988?) by Sir Ibu, Supreme and Nefertiti in downloadable form, I’ll name my first born after you.” No need for all that since aiding others in the name of fresh Hip-Hop is part of my Personal Legend a la The Alchemist (not the rapper/producer).
Well, after some savvy Internet searching I have found the track (above) in question; it is truly a rare Golden Age of Rap gem. The name Sir Ibu will befuddle neophyte rap fans. Q-Tip gives him a name drop in his “Renaissance Rap” video (why it didn’t get its own track on his great The Renaissance album is still perplexing), but here is a little background… [continued after video]
Sir Ibu is one of the MCs in Divine Force, a rap outfit so obscure that the only substantial info I could find on them was usually around and about Ego Trip’s The Big Playback album [ahem, which I have on vinyl, sealed]. The aforementioned album is essentially the companion audio to the through Ego Trip’s Book of Rap Lists.
According to my findings—it was just a Google search…I’m saying, Lexis-Nexis is expensive—Divine Force originally consisted of Master Shykwan, Supreme M.C. and Ice Tee. Eventually Sir Ibu would replace Shykwan, who dipped to join the military, and Jizer got down as the group’s DJ. With the team now set, the group would release “Holy War” on Yamak-Ka Records in 1987. Interestingly, Yamak-Ka’s president was Melquan, who would shortly thereafter manage the Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA. Melquan subsequently secured record deals for the GZA and the RZA at Cold Chillin’ and Tommy Boy Records, respectively.
Sir Ibu would drop a joint called “I’m the Peacemaker” in ’89 via 4th & Broadway Records (the same label that released Eric B & Rakim’s Paid In Full). I can’t find much on Ibu after that. Another example of this almost forgotten MCs influence is on Ghostface’s “Mighty Healthy.” Mr. Starks interpolated some of Ibu’s bars on this early Supreme Clientele heater. Seems like Ibu did get a check for that tribute, though. (below)
Slang Rap Democracy 
man…you did your homework!lol.
i never heard of this dude, im glad that i saw your post. im sure there are dozens of other emcees that have been forgotten that most of us have never heard of.
Oh and i co-sign on the fact that qtip should have “renaissance rap” as a separate track. lol
Comment by endigeeclothing | March 13, 2009
aqua – fresh
Comment by grouchy | March 13, 2009
Teach the kids, Aqua. Teach the kids.
Comment by CChery | March 13, 2009
Now thats wassup!!! Uu really had 2 dig in da crates for that one! These cats could’ve been big!
Comment by BrooklynBridget | March 17, 2009
All praise due to the God. He has a cut with Big Daddy kane to. He was a unique brother. I saw him walking barefoot in Manhatan.peace to the Gods & Earths.
Comment by Muadib=22 | March 17, 2009
i have alot of joints from divine force. anyone interested should hit me up. no charge!! real hip hop needs to be shared.
Comment by JDonald_LLP2 | October 21, 2009
i’m a divine force fan.. & would love to hear some other joints.. been tryin to get hold of t.v guide & the jizer, but to no avail!!
Comment by remarkable1 | December 20, 2009
Damn Dun! You takin me back! I remember DJ Red used to run dat track & I never knew the MC was! Thanx for the memories!!!
Comment by LewE | September 11, 2010
To all true fans of the old school,be blessed by the truth. sir Ibu and divine force really should have made it all the way.and for the real fans of IBU 2,things 1) he is alive and well in Brooklyn,a father of three girls,2)I don’t know who that person saw but my first cousin ain’t been bare foot since he was a baby-word. RON AKA Ronnie B-adored
Comment by Ronald joseph Lockhart | October 26, 2010
sir ibu is da man.and jizer is my nephew.he is da man on da turntables.willy i love u nephew.frm canky
Comment by godofwar | January 15, 2011
sir ibu is da man.and jizer is my nephew.he is da man on da turntables.willy i love u nephew.frm canky.jizer is fine and living in miami with his wife and kids.
Comment by godofwar | January 15, 2011
Im extremely interested in interviewing Sir Ibu and the members of DIvine Force. If anyone has contact info please hit me up: kevin@rhymesayers.com. peace
Comment by Kevin Becham | April 28, 2011
Since I knew Supreme personally this really takes me back. Now what all Hip-Hop heads should really check out is the connection to Big Daddy Kane and ultimately Jay-Z
Comment by 1acidone | July 12, 2011
the Brother Ibu was a close friend of my family. His real name is Anthony. the God use to be at my crib when that single dropped. he had family on my block in Bed-Stuy, but he, had relocated to east ny brooklyn. Holy war was that Sh!t and something different was a reggae dub track. I remember when they got a photo op in Right on magazine. Peace to the God! – Siekiem
Comment by mskmpresents | January 22, 2012
yea, somebody really did their homework, i grew up with all 4.supreme, ice tee, ibu and jizer on belmont ave. in eny. supreme and ice t is brother and sister and are my god bro and sis. havent heard from supreme or ice in 20 years, but i communicate with hisbrother erik. i remember i went to the studio with them making t.v guide, was there for bout 8 hours. i was lifted and tired. jazzy jay asked me to sleep in his car and i did,to be waken up withe sun up and the car up on a tow truck.wow! those were the days! i miss hip hop. god bless
Comment by clint djhbee | February 9, 2012
LOL. Wow. That was one of my Favorite rap groups. So Imagine my surprise when I realize I actually work with Supreme right now. That’s my boy. Real good dude. Holy War is A Classic. Then in 1989, Marley Marl had a free Style session with Sir IBu and Big Daddy Kane. Have not heard a Rhyme Cypher better YET. IBu Murdered the track, Kane out it in the ground. I love to hear Supreme’s stories about the group.
Comment by Samuel Small Sr. | June 6, 2012
I have “Ibu gets lyrical” on mp3 format if your interested
Comment by Gemellus | June 27, 2012
[…] season with this new joint entitled “New God Flow.” A Ghostface Killah vocal sample (or maybe Sir Ibu), drums from the classic “Synthetic Substitution” break and some moody keys make this […]
Pingback by Pusha T ft. Kanye West // New God Flow // #KOGdownloads | KOG Worldwide | July 3, 2012
Yo, I’m the original Shykwan Divine King, who formed the group Divine Force back in high school. Supreme and I go back as best friends since kindergarden in East New York, ps 202. I’m down in South Florida now, running some businesses but still playing music under the name DJ SoulCaribBN. Although I left before the hits flowed (delayed contract to Marines they wouldn’t let me out of) I’m proud of Supreme, Nef and Abu for doing so well. I have some old practice segments of us, UTFO, and others who we knew and plan to upload. Peace to my boy Jeff (educated rapper, remember that night in the projects when you were mad drunk and you were upset over that girl!!). Without trying to take big up myself, initially I was the only writing lyrics and rapping, then Rhamel , then I worked with Supreme who just wanted to spin on the turntables. Supreme eventually got in the zone with his rhymes and started creating mad flow. He then taught Abu and his sister, Ice Tee (Nefertiti) who further developed our/their styles. What’s also interesting is when we listen to others linked through Melquan and other associates, I can hear our flow sometimes, also developed in their way. Not trying to take anything away from any of these artist but how we use to flow at jams we had our style. But it’s all good as we benefited from others before and around us as well. Either way, respect to all who’s in the game especially to others who paved the way, just going from block party to block party and jams in the parks, before hiphop went vinyl, and did it just for the love of it. Link up on Facebook.DeJai SoulCaribBN (New). Peace
Comment by Sherriffe aka Shykwan aka SoulCaribbn | August 16, 2012
Gretings Folks. My Name is Samuel Small, I have some new Info on Divine Force. They are getting back into the studio and Getting ready to drop new stuff They also got some stuff they ready to also let out as well. They are setting up to do an interview that will appear on te online Magazine “The Fifth Element” done by Kevin Becham. The gang (Supreme, Ibu, Ice Tee (Now Lady Nef) and New Member E-Quan)are getting set to get back into the flow. I will try to keep everyone posted on upcoming Divine Force Music. I am here to tell y’all , Its Hot. I showed Supreme this page and he is like mad excited about it.
Comment by Samuel Small | September 7, 2012
Good lord. I felt like i was the only person looking for sir ibu.used to love that side then. ..poof he was gone. Thanks for speaking on a forgotten hip hop legend
Comment by sean wheeler | February 12, 2017