Since the release of its long-awaited reunion album in October, rap collective MHz Legacy has been busy. The group has held a fan remix contest and has steadily released videos for tracks from the record. That continues with “Satisfaction” by Copywrite and RJD2, featuring Slug of Atmosphere.
MHz was a Columbus, Ohio, hip-hop collective made up of RJD2, Jakki da Motamouth, the late Camu Tao, Tage Future (née Proto), and Copywrite. After the release of Table Scraps in 2001, another record was long rumored but never seemed to come. The 2008 death of Tao seemed to put an end to the idea.
However, last year the group reunited and rebranded as MHz Legacy to release an eponymous debut album to much acclaim. Featuring all the other original members, and guest spots from Slug, Danny Brown, Ill Bill, and more, it proved that the group had more to say.
Columbus rapper Illogic and Aesop Rock-collaborating producer Blockhead are teaming up to release Capture the Sun on April 16. “I’d been wanting do to an album where it’s just one MC and one producer,” Blockhead says. “All it took was Illogic dropping me a line, and I was down.”
English duo dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip combines spoken-word lyrics with electronic hip-hop beats to create songs that awaken thoughtfulness and provoke opinions. Just don’t take them too seriously.
[audio:http://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Atmosphere_Just_for_Show.mp3|titles=Atmosphere: “Just for Show”]
The land of independent hip hop is a dangerous, inconstant place. Giants like Rawkus Records and Definitive Jux, once considered among the most vital sources of hip-hop innovation, have collapsed into footnotes. But Minnesota-based Rhymesayers Entertainment has managed to hold its place in the world of underground rap for more than 15 years, thanks in part to founders Slug and Ant’s flagship duo, Atmosphere.
Atmosphere’s previous album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, broke into the Billboard top 10 — an impressive achievement for an underground hip-hop group, and, as a result, Atmosphere represents to the general public what underground hip hop is. Its latest album, The Family Sign, typifies all of the strengths and weaknesses of indie rap, but it’s unusual and accessible enough to be easily enjoyed. If the genre must have a face, it could do much worse than Atmosphere.