JJ Fad Grateful That Dr. Dre Acknowledges Their Contribution to Ruthless Records

The HBO docu-series The Defiant Ones has given viewers an inside look into Dr. Dre’s early beginnings at Ruthless Records. When it comes to the historic rap label, artists such as N.W.A and its late founder Eazy-E are often celebrated. But the label’s first female rap act JJ Fad were actually critical in helping boost the label to rap prominence.

JJ Fad’s incredible story has often been neglected, and in the case of the 2015 N.W.A biopic, Straight Outta Compton, completely left out. But in The Defiant Ones, Dr. Dre acknowledges the rap trio for their contribution to Ruthless Records. The L.A.-based group - members MC J.B., Sassy C and Baby D - scored a platinum-selling album, Supersonic.

“We were all a family and I felt slighted,” said JJ Fad member Sassy C in an interview with HipHopDX. “We have been left out of a lot of things in regards to the role we played — whether it’s been Ruthless Records or our contribution to rap as a whole.”

While Dre's props to them and and the throwback footage in the documentary gives JJ Fad some vindication, they feel there's still more work to be done to get their proper recognition.

“I wouldn’t say we were vindicated, but we’re definitely on the path to healing,” said Sassy. “We have not been acknowledged by our own community. BET has hosted numerous shows paying homage to female rappers and black women in general. We have not been recognized, nor have we even been extended an invitation to attend when we were the first female group nominated for a Grammy. We were also one of the first rap groups to go platinum.”

The final episode of the docu-series The Defiant Ones will air tonight on HBO at 9 p.m. ET.