underground hip-hop

An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's, "Kool" Keith Thornton is best known as a solo rapper. His signature style is stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow and complex vocals, two skills that earn him a perennial nod from the underground hip-hop community. The average Kool Keith album is peppered with bizarre, disjointed, even delusional or disassociated themes, concepts, and references. Nearly all of his albums incorporate a satirical dislike for more commercialized strains of hip-hop, as well as major record labels.

Born in 1988 in Fresno, California, Fashawn grew up in a virtually parentless home. His father was incarcerated, while his mom was focused on feeding her drug addiction - a combination that caused a boy to become a man quicker than most. Placed in a group home by child services at the age of 12, Fashawn found solace in music, and began writing rhymes to escape the less than desirable hand he had been dealt so early in life.

There are multiple artists with this name: Black Milk, is a hip hop producer and MC Curtis Cross from Detroit, Michigan. In 2004 he formed B.R. Gunna with Young RJ, and Fat Ray, and together they released Dirty District: Vol. 2, a follow up to a compilation released in 2001 by Slum Village, which he had contributed production to. Black Milk released a solo album, Sound of the City, the following year and in 2006 he signed a record contract with Fat Beats Records. In the fall of 2006, he released an EP, entitled Broken Wax. March 13, 2007 he released a second album, Popular Demand.

Returning from a self-imposed recording hiatus, Obese Records captain Pegz rises from the silence with the formation of Gully Platoon, the three-pronged attack from three of Australian hip hop’s most formidable talents. Forging a brand new path and sound, Gully Platoon features the heralded voice of Pegz alongside new breed MCs Dialectrix and former Down Under Beats co-member Joe New. The group set forth to release Australian hip hop’s most challenging record, one that is boundless, bold, and unafraid to venture into different musical realms.