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.
The Pharcyde is a West Coast underground/alternative hip hop group. The group was formed in 1991 in South Los Angeles, California, United States, where the group's members grew up. The group was one of the most well known of the first wave of alternative hip-hop acts. The original members of the group are "Slimkid3" (Tre Hardson), "Fatlip" (Derrick Stewart), "Imani" (Emandu Wilcox) and "Bootie Brown" (Romye Robinson). The group is best known for their hit singles "Passing Me By" (which crossed over to alternative rock radio) and "Runnin'", and their debut album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.
Felipe Andres Coronel (born February 19, 1978), better known by the stage name Immortal Technique, is a Peruvian rapper, and an urban activist. He was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Harlem, New York. Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics. The views expressed in his lyrics are largely a mixture of socialist commentary on issues such as class hierarchy, poverty, religion, government and institutional racism.
Joe See real name Joseph Chaganiza is a solo artist on an independent record label called RAGTIME MUSIC. The Zimbabwean born music artist has been involved in music production as well as writing from his early teens. Joe's musical influences range from jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Mamie Smith to Hip Hop performers such as Tribe called Quest, Dela Soul Moss Def and Guru and to Classical composers such as Beethoven, Debussy and millions more. Joe's musical journey began a little over decade ago as a producer / programmer.
Blu is definitely a leader in the new school of Los Angeles emcees. His presence is undeniable, while his music captivates audiences regardless of race, class, and gender. His delivery flows flawlessly, while his content reflects the joy and pain of working class youth everywhere. Exile is a producer, DJ and occasional emcee previously known for being a member of the duo Emanon, along with Aloe Blacc. His style of production is known for its "laid back soulful vibes" and is influenced by such producers as J Dilla and Madlib.
Born and raised in Southern California, SwizZz is not your stereotypical MC. Through his music, SwizZz reveals a wide range of experiences, much of which he credits to his biracial background. He is not, nor does he claim to be, a
Michael Render, better known by his stage name Killer Mike (born April 20, 1975) is an American rapper, signed to Grind Time Official through the SMC/Fontana Distribution. He made his debut appearance on "Snappin' and Trappin'" on OutKast's 2000 LP Stankonia, and also appeared on the Grammy-winning song, "The Whole World", the single from OutKast's greatest hits album Big Boi and Dre Present...OutKast. He was featured in the movies 20 Funerals, Idlewild, and ATL.
While Dudley Perkins brings the weird yet melancholic and soulful vocals at Stones Throw Records, Declaime is his rapping counterpart. Most listeners could meet Declaime first on the classic Lootpack album 'Soundpieces - The Antidote' as a guest lyricist.
TTC are : Teki Latex (vocals), Tido Berman (vocals + production), Cuizinier (vocals), DJ Orgasmic (scratches + production), Para One (production), Tacteel (production)... TTC are also a part of super group L'Armée des 12 with La Caution and Saphir. Tacteel & Para One perform together under the name FuckALoop. TTC as a DJ team (with the help of Siskid) = Superfamilleconne. Known also as guests at Modeselektor songs 2000007 and Dancing Box
The Coup is a political hip hop group based in Oakland, California. It formed as a three-member group in 1992 with rappers (Raymond) Boots Riley and E-Roc along with DJ Pam the Funkstress. E-Roc left on amicable terms after the group's second album, but appears on the track "Breathing Apparatus" on The Coup's third album, Steal This Album. The group is now a duo. The Coup, part of the sub-genre of political hip hop, is politically radical and Marxist in their music, and align themselves with other radical hip-hop groups like dead prez.