Lord Finesse and DJ Mike Smooth dropped their critically acclaimed debut album, Funky Technician in February of 1990. Gang Starr's DJ Premier, who was label mates with Finesse on Wild Pitch Records was an integral part of this release. Dropping a year after Gang Starr's debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Funky Technician embodied the sound and spirit of Wild Pitch, which was becoming a huge part of the underground sound bubbling in the late '80's.

"I used to go to Premier's house when him and Guru were staying together in the Bronx," Finesse explained in an interview with Boom Bap Culture. "He had boxes of records and he'd play different records [for samples] and ask what I thought. I was really picky. I remember him playing the beat for "Strictly For The Ladies" and it was like that's it, I got a concept for that. Premier was the executive producer and he was at all the sessions."

With production by DJ Premier, Mike Smooth, Diamond D, and Showbiz, Funky Technician represents the introduction of Lord Finesse, one of Hip-Hop's most respected lyricists and producers. The lead single form the project is "Baby, You Nasty". "Lord Finesse is the one that you have to hear/I flow smooth the like the clouds in the atmosphere," he sets it off. "I remember where Premier came with "Baby, You Nasty", as soon as I heard the drums, I was like 'Thats it'," he says of the single.

"Strictly For The Ladies" is the second single from Funky Technician, and was produced by DJ Premier. Over a dope piano loop Finesse serenades the young ladies. "This is strictly for the ladies, no ifs ands or maybes/We can chill together but hold on the babies/Let's have fun with this, I stand thunderous/Any girl I get I work wonders with." As a single, "Strictly For The Ladies" solidified Lord Finesse, and built anticipation for his full album.

"Funky Technician", the title cut with its "Black Caesar" loop and scratched hook is another fan favorite where Lord Finesse displays why he's considered a master of clever wordplay and punchlines. The uptempo "Back To Back Rhyming", "Slave To My Soundwave", "Lesson To Be Taught", and Track The Movement" are also stand out tracks which make Funky Technician one of Hip-Hop's greatest debuts.