The Mighty Underdogs "Droppin Science Fiction"

If your New Year's resolution is to listen to more good music, then you should have The Mighty Underdogs on your list.

They're being billed as a hip hop supergroup. And no wonder since the three front men all have stellar reps as individuals: The Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Lateef the Truth Speaker of Latyrx and Headnodic from Crown City Rockers. And if this trifecta don't gain your interest then you will marvel at the guest spots: MF Doom, Lyrics Born, Julian and Damien Marley, DJ Shadow and more.

There is so much fun to be had while listening to this project. Definitely upbeat and the beats are bangin - I expect that. Same for the lyrics, you know that they are going to come w/their 'A' game. And they do. But The Mighty Underdogs are on the Definitive Jux label and that's how they do it. All good.

I wanted to single out a fav on the disk, but they don't make it easy. After about 30 minutes, I just let the tracks segue and enjoy.

There's some good news for you here. I am definitely advocating that you cop this one because it's one for the history books, but in this economy you can't do it all ...right? So check out The Mighty Underdogs on Imeem.

Other resources:

• The Mighty Underdogs interview on KPFA
• Other The Might Underdogs goodies on Imeem
• Video for "Gunfight" f/MF Doom
  

So hip hoppers, let's hope that The Mighty Underdogs revive their tour sked in '09. kfox.

What's Hot in Indie Hip Hop - CMJ style

So I've been trying to freshen up my hip hop playlist. I'm just a bit behind, but every so often I peek in on the CMJ list to see how they are shaking things up.

This week they've got Akrobatik on top, followed by Del tha Funky Homosapien, then Cadence Weapon. I've heard that the Del project is a hot one. Who's missing out here?

There's alot of interesting artists on the CMJ Hip Hop Top 20. But mostly I was checkin out the labels:

• NatAural Records
• Embedded Music
  
• Definitive Jux

Oh, and there's a new Guru - you can't go wrong w/Guru!

Get your Hip Hop On!

So, it is true that I missed all of the hip hop shows in Cleveland over the past few weeks. I really wanted to peep the Brother Ali show. But don't dispair because if you are true hip hop fan, you not only checked out the Rhymesayers crew, but you also sat in on the El-P/Definitive Jux set. And there is more on the horizon; that's right, it is time to get your hip hop on:

~The Underground Nation: Darren Anthony, T-Mates and Therlbread~
On Thursday, May 17, 2007
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $5 in adv; $8 @ the door ... call 216.383.1124

~Lifesavas and Strange Fruit Project~
On Thursday, May 17, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~The Ill Disciples~
On Friday, May 18, 2007
@ the Agora Theatre & Ballroom
5001 Prospect Avenue
@ 8:30 p.m.
Tix are $6 ... call 216.241.5555

~Slum Village~
On Sunday, June 3, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.Tix are $12 ... call 216.241.5555

~Peanut Butter Wolf DJ Set~
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007
@ B-Side
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~Sage Francis and Buck 65~
On Wednesday, July 11, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555