Philadelphia Underground hip-hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks started out in early 1996. The duo is composed of high school friends MC Vinnie Paz (formerly known as Ikon the Verbal Hologram) and Producer and DJ Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. Along with early unofficial member Jus Allah, Jedi Mind Tricks released the Amber Probe EP in 1996 and their darkly edgy sound gained a cult following with 1997's Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro Magnetic Manipulation. Violent by Design was released in 2000, just before the group signed to the label Babygrande, and marked their last album with Jus Allah. Babygrande eventually re-released both Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro Magnetic Manipulation in 2003 as well as Violent by Design in 2004. Jedi Mind Trick’s first proper recording for Babygrande was 2003's Visions of Gandhi – and included the song "Animal Rap," featuring Paz's idol Kool G Rap. It was followed by Legacy of Blood in 2004 and Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell followed in 2006, making Jedi Mind tricks one of the more prolific hip hop acts that mainstream America has never heard of.