If you were anywhere near a radio in 1998, you know the bassline. It’s that infectious, jazzy loop from Steely Dan’s "Black Cow" that served as the backbone for "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)." For a brief, shining moment, Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz were the kings of New York. They had the anthem. They had the Yankees stadium in their lyrics (even if the video was shot at the Mets' Shea Stadium—awkward). They had a platinum plaque.
Then, they vanished.
Most people call them one-hit wonders and leave it at that. But the story of Sean Hamilton and Peter Pankey is actually a wild case study in bad contracts, legendary samples, and the strange afterlife of reality TV fame.
The $115,000 Sample That Ate Their Career
You’ve gotta feel for them. When Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz recorded "Deja Vu," they basically handed the keys to their kingdom over to Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan.
Usually, when you sample a song, you negotiate a percentage. Not here. Steely Dan reportedly demanded a $115,000 advance plus 100% of the publishing royalties. You read that right. Every time that song played on the radio, every time it was sold on a CD, the rappers who made it famous didn't see a dime of the songwriting money.
They were essentially working for free to promote Steely Dan's catalog.
It’s one of the most lopsided deals in hip-hop history. Peter Gunz has been pretty open about it in interviews, basically saying they were young, hungry, and just wanted a hit. They got the hit, but the hit didn't provide the long-term "mailbox money" most artists rely on to survive between albums.
Why 'Make It Reign' Actually Deserved Better
People forget that their debut album, Make It Reign, was actually stacked. It wasn't just two guys coasting on a sample. Look at the guest list:
- Big Pun and Fat Joe (The Terror Squad connection)
- Cam'ron (back when he was still under the Killa Cam moniker)
- Sticky Fingaz
- Kurupt
The album went platinum. It peaked at #38 on the Billboard 200. Musically, it was a solid representation of that late-90s East Coast sound—gritty but polished enough for the clubs. But the duo broke up in 1999, barely a year after their peak. Why? Internal friction and the lack of a second hit played a part, but honestly, when your biggest song doesn't pay you, the motivation to keep the machine running starts to fizzle out.
The Second Act: Love, Hip-Hop, and Cheaters
If Lord Tariq stayed relatively low-key after the split—releasing The Barcode in 2005 and doing some work with Shaq—Peter Gunz took a completely different path.
He didn't just stay in the public eye; he became a lightning rod for drama.
You probably know him best now from Love & Hip Hop: New York. His storyline with Amina Buddafly and Tara Wallace became the stuff of reality TV legend (or infamy). It was a mess. But it kept him relevant in a way that most 90s rappers could only dream of. By 2020, he even took over hosting duties for the show Cheaters. Talk about full circle.
The Legacy (And Why It Still Matters)
There’s a weird bit of trivia most people miss: the intro sample from "Deja Vu" was later used for the hook of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie." The DNA of that one Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz song is everywhere. Even Peter's son, Cory Gunz, carried the torch, famously delivering a monster verse on Lil Wayne's "6 Foot 7 Foot."
They weren't just a flash in the pan. They were a bridge between the street-centric rap of the mid-90s and the shiny suit era that followed.
How to Appreciate the Duo Today
- Listen to the deep cuts: Go back and find "Cross Bronx Expressway" featuring Fat Joe and Big Pun. It’s a masterclass in Bronx lyricism.
- Watch the "Daydreamin'" video: Tatyana Ali (Ashley from Fresh Prince) featured them on this track, which used the same "Black Cow" sample. It’s the ultimate 1998 time capsule.
- Study the business: If you’re an aspiring artist, let their Steely Dan deal be a lesson. Never give up 100% of your publishing unless you have absolutely no other choice.
To truly understand their impact, you have to look past the "one-hit wonder" label. They provided the soundtrack to a specific era of New York City life. Even if they didn't get the royalties they deserved, they got the immortality that comes with a true anthem.
Next Steps for Music Buffs:
Check out the original Steely Dan track "Black Cow" from the Aja album to see exactly how KNS (the producer) flipped the loop. Then, compare the "Deja Vu" remix featuring Ma$e and The LOX to hear how Bad Boy Records tried to give the song even more club mileage. Observing how these different versions trade on the same groove gives you a real sense of how 90s sampling economics actually functioned.