Cee Lo

Jean Grae

Crazy Legs
Richard “Crazy Legs” Colón, a B-boy since 1977 and veteran of Hip-Hop culture, is one of the original members of the Rock Steady Crew and its current president. He has been featured in such films as “Flashdance,” “Beat Street,” “Wild Style” and “Style Wars” as well as various television programs and music videos. He was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall Of Fame in 2002, he and some of the other members of Rock Steady Crew were the first B-boys to perform at Carnegie Hall on Jan 19, 2001. Along with the Rock Steady Crew, Crazy Legs has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Japan, Australia, South America and Europe.


T-Hud (Troy Hudson)
Minnesota Timberwolves player and owner of Nutty Boyz Entertainment. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois.
Carnage Southside Chicago native

CARNAGE
The Executioner, is a member of the crews Sense Of Sound, The SWEEPS and NEMNOCH. He has toured with Eyedea & Abilities and Blueprint, and appeared on almost 20 releases since 1996. His style can be described as “Immorally hand-woven catastrophe tapestry orally attached to beats.”


Guardians of Balance
Guardians of Balance consist of St. Paul natives Mastermind and St. Paul Slim. The group has been around since 1996. They met at St. Paul Central High School. With the release Operation Clean Dirt they’ve established themselves as a real hardcore sound and plan to follow up with the soon to be released Reverse Rapism. The Guardians of Balance are here to stay.

POS and Doomtree
Twin Cites collective made up of POS, Sims, Turbonemesis, Paper Tiger, Dessa, Cecil Otter, Lazerbeak, Marshall Larada, Emily Bloodmobile, Bamf, Tom Servo, Bobby Gorgeous. Currently on the Vans Warped Tour POS’ punk-rap album Ipecac Neat has given him widespread critical acclaim and he has become the second rapper to ever get the cover of City Pages.

Heiruspecs
Heiruspecs’ brand of live Hip-hop has set necks snapping nationwide and the St. Paul band's new release, A Tiger Dancing, is set to drop September 28. “Heiruspecs follow in the lineage of Hip-Hop acts like the Roots but wear their indie, underground cred on their hoodie sleeves.” —San Francisco Bay Guardian. Heiruspecs.com



Blitz
Born and raised in Ghana, now in New York City. Sick of the mundane “assembly-line” nature of Hip-Hop, Blitz created his own sound. Opening for the likes of Slum Village, Boot Camp Clik and The Clipse, Blitz challenges the status quo of Hip-Hop.

Mazta I
Originally from Chicago, Mazta I is regarded as a freestyle technician. You might remember him spittin’ rhymes on stage at last years’ Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop during Camp Lo’s set. Minneapolis Star Tribune calls him “The Man to Beat.” Recently signed to Rhymesayers Ent., currently working on solo debut.

Dialogue Elevaters
Dialogue Elevaters Crew, also know as D.E.C., Has been putting in work across the upper Midwest for a couple of years now. Three emcees and two DJ’s who produce came together to form this cooperative that represents as both a record label and as performance group.

Unknown Prophets
Unknown Prophets, a Hip-Hop trio hailing from the Twin Cities, formed back in 1996. Members are MCs, Big Jess and MaD SoN, and DJ Willy Lose. Released first album World Premier in 2000. Released their sophomore album, Now You Know, in 2002. Have been featured in magazines such as Interview and HipHopInfinity.com.

The C.O.R.E.
2002 City Pages “Best Hip-Hop Artist.” Two time Minnesota Music Award Nominee. Members Toki Wright and AD regarded as having one of the best live stage performances. Released Part 1 The EP in 1999. Their most recent album, Metropolis, features Slug of Atmosphere, Comedian Joe Claire of Madd Sports/Rap City and more; their new album is due this winter.

Desdamona
Received the Minnesota Music Award for Best Spoken Word Artist in the year 2000. Member of the spoken word/music collective The Poet Tree. Has been featured on several albums including Brother Ali’s Rites of Passage and Musab’s Respect the Life.

3 Kings (with More Than Lights)
Three man Beatbox/DJ Crew (Adam Davis, Gabe Garcia, Will Shuford), featuring the live band More Than Lights. Have opened for several acts including Black Sheep, Jungle Brothers, Black Eyed Peas, Pharcyde, X-Ecutioners and Grandmaster Flash.

Contac
Representing North Minneapolis. Regarded as Minneapolis’ King of Crunk. Had major local radio play with single “I Can't Talk.” New album features Lil’ Jon and the Eastside Boys and Kurupt.

Stereotype Click
A transplanted MC from the Bronx, a hot Eastside St. Paul DJ and producer, and a beautiful Vocalist, meet MC Paizon, DJ D.Mil & Jozi of Stereotype Click (STC). Two albums: Underground Embargo and CHILDREN OF THE SNOW. Have toured in the West, Midwest and Mexico. Have opened for acts such as 2 Live Crew, KRS One, Twizta.

Muja Messiah
Of the Raw Villa crew, Muja’s passion is Hip-Hop, for his city to get the recognition it deserves. Has shared stages with such luminaries as DMX, Rakim , Method Man & Redman, Common, Ghostface Killah, Dead Prez, Cappadonna, Beatnuts and Raewkon. Has also been featured in City Pages, Star Tribune, Pulse, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Blaze, The Source and on Napster.

Illuminous 3
Formed in 2002, this young up and coming south Minneapolis trio of wordsmiths is captivating the scene by storm forcing many of the older groups in the Twin Cities to step their game up or get out. Their combination of lyrics, skill and showmanship is revitalizing the Twins Town scene. They produce many of their own beats and are on Bedroom Studios Productions. Past work includes The Fundraiser vol. 1 and 2, with a new project coming late this summer.

Sol.illaquists of Sound
From Orlando, FL, four dynamic individuals: Swamburger, Alexandrah, Tonya Combs, and DiVINCI. Backed by a powerful message of self-awareness, the Solillaquists combine rapid-fire lyricism, jazz-tinged vocals, insightful poetry and an innovative live electronic performance.

Selfish
Selfish is a native of St. Paul by way of Chicago. Selfish first appeared on the MN Hip-Hop scene in 2002 on “Rocksolid Vol. 1 The Compilation,” then released his solo album Life Story in 2003. He is currently in the studio recording his second album due out July 2005 on 1055 Entertainment.

Kanser
Kanser has been on the local scene for over nine years. They are do-it-yourself poster boys, with no outside financial backing or help they have toured from east to west coast and sold thousands of CDs, records, tapes and t-shirts. Claiming the title “professional broke rappers” the group brings real honest underground Hip-Hop to the table. If you want to check out underground Twin cities Hip-Hop, Kanser is a must hear.

Bony Limburg
Bony Limburg, actually Tim Harper of Gary, IN, said, “I do Hip-Hop because I like Hip-Hop; it’s the shit. Peace.” Bedroom Studios Productions.

DJ K-Salaam
He sold you your CD or vinyl when you went to the 5th, you see him at shows spinning before the show starts, and you see him backing up Toki during the open mic on Saturdays. One of the most well-known DJs in MPLS, dropped Real DJs Do Real Things on Rhymesayers Ent. Currently working on new album.

Soulcrate
Soulcrate Music (Sioux Falls, SD), consists of two emcees, Paradox and Attention Deficit, and a DJ, DJ Absolute. Evolved from the Hip-Hop group Urban Ills. Have played with names such as Eyedea, Brother Ali, Heiruspecs, Blueprint, Illogic and Sage Francis.

Delicious Venom
Delicious Venom (Tou SaiKo and Knowstalgic) is a dynamic Hmong Hip-Hop duo that has risen from the artistic essence of underground Hip-Hop culture. With a passionate focus on the lyricism and poetics of Hip-Hop music, Delicious Venom strive towards innovative sounds and influential lyrics.

Bao Phi
He has performed, taught workshops and lectured at numerous functions, rallies, schools, universities, colleges and community organizations around the nation. He is the undefeated Slam champion of the Macalester Cultural House Poetry Slam, published in various literary magazines, journals and anthologies, including From Both Sides Now and the Def Poetry Jam anthology, and he will be appearing in the third season of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.

R.D.M.
Born and raised in St. Paul, MN, jumped onto the Hip-Hop scene in the early ‘90s as part of Mega P with Knowledge MC. Part of Abstract Pack, has opened for Common, MC Lyte and Bizzy Bone to name a few, making solo debut with his album The R.D.M. Experience.

Kinfok
Kinfok is a Hip-Hop/R&B duo consisting of Sedrick “Stylez” Jenkins (Dallas, TX), and Xavier “Quis” Davis (MPLS, MN). Stylez is a former member of Grammy Award winning group God’s Property, Quis has produced for various artists in the Twin Cities while working for Flyte Tyme Studios. Both songwriters and producers, Kinfok are currently working on their debut album.

Prime
Hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, Prime has been in HBO's “Blaze Battle,” MTV’s “DFX,” and “Scribble Jam.” He’s currently working on an album with his crew Middle Ground. Check them out at MiddleMusic.com.

Buggin Malone
Of Oneida and Potwatomie tribal descent, Buggin Malone's material has most of its roots in political activism, speaking on violence and issues of Native American injustice, poverty and oppression. Recently performed at the 30th Anniversary of Wounded Knee Concert in Rapid City, South Dakota, the National Congress of American Indians Conference in San Diego, CA, and at the Third Annual Wyot Benefit Concert in Eureka, CA. Selected as finalist for 2004 Indian Summer Music Awards, released debut recording Birth of a Warrior in December of 2003.

Lottery
From Chicago’s Southside, Lottery plans to be not just an emcee, but also an entertainer. Now attending school Chicago State University where he is an English/Theatre major. His goal: to help Hip-Hop get back to 1988. Currently working on an album he plans to call Lottery Picks: Live and Direct From Michigan Ave.

AKA (Anointed Kings Alliance)
A.K.A. has quickly become one of the Twin Cities top Hip-Hop gospel acts, with performances at Club 3degrees, First Avenue, Holy Hip-Hop Awards (Atlanta, GA), Youth Retreat Centers, churches across America and have performed with artists such as Grammy Award nominees Excelsior Choir, Cross Movement, Gospel Gangstas, Tonex, Xross, N-Finite and many more. With their latest CD project Anointed Kings, they are already receiving wide spread accolades from local and regional radio stations.

Quiescence
Formed in the fall of 1998, consisting of members Prizm, Word from the Street, Lifeline Tigre, and Brando. Three emcee's and two beat-makers (one also being the group’s DJ), each member provides a solid and necessary component. The group doesn't look at themselves as being a “positive” rap group, but rather looks at their music as a reflection of life.

Big Quarters
BIG QUARTERS is a Minneapolis-based duo, comprised of blood-related talents Medium Zach & Brandon. Better known as “EPL” from the newly released EPL & Snakebird album, Big Quarters have developed a reputation for solid rap music with the help of their own production and extended family (up and coming producers Benzillion & King Karnov). Big Quarters is a thorough stage performance. BigQuarters.com

DJ Espada
Puba of The Local Heroes Crew. DJ for The 7th street Coincidence. Resident of St. Paul since 1904.

Mankwe Ndosi
Mankwe Ndosi is a vocalist, performing artist and writer. She has been working in the Twin Cities for ten years at the community intersections of Hip-Hop, spoken word, dance, theater and noise improvisation. She organizes the Revolutionary Women's Cabaret. Her vocal accompaniment is featured on Atmoshpere’s Godlovesugly album.

Doomtree
Formed in 2000, Doomtree is a Hip-Hop crew and artist run label making their presence felt in the Twin Cities music scene. Artists performing under the Doomtree banner include Emcees, P.O.S., Sims, Cecil Otter, Dessa and Mike Mictlan. 2004 has been a big year for this fledgling collective, receiving accolades such as “Best Hip Hop Artist 2004” by the City Pages.

PHAROHS
More than just music, it’s a movement. Pharohs Ent., has been working hard to put out good music and build artists to represent Minneapolis the right way. Expect big things from the Pharohs in the upcoming months in the hood near you! ||