Real Live was a New Jersey hip-hop duo consisting of rapper Larry-O (Larry Wright) and producer/DJ K-Def (Kevin Hansford). Hailing from New Jersey, the cousins began collaborating in the late 1980s after meeting at a house party where K-Def was DJing. Impressed by Larry-O's lyrical ability, K-Def joined forces with him, and together they formed Real Live.

Although the group recorded together intermittently beginning around 1988, they gained national attention with the release of their only album, The Turnaround: A Long Awaited Drama, on Big Beat/Atlantic Records in 1996. The album showcased Larry-O's streetwise storytelling and K-Def's soulful, sample-driven production style, which had already earned K-Def recognition through his work with Marley Marl and Lords of the Underground. Critics praised the album's mature lyricism, rugged East Coast sound, and strong chemistry between the duo. Their best-known recording, "Real Live Shit," became an underground favorite and was later remixed with appearances by Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Killa Sin, and Lord Tariq.

Despite receiving positive reviews and earning respect among hip-hop enthusiasts, Real Live disbanded shortly after the album's release and never recorded a follow-up project. K-Def went on to build a successful career as a producer, working with artists including Ghostface Killah, Diddy, UGK, and others. Although Real Live's catalog is small, The Turnaround remains a highly regarded example of mid-1990s East Coast hip-hop and has developed a lasting cult following among fans of the genre.