Slumplordz 'Sunnmoonsekt' album

The period spanning from the late 1980's to the early 90's was very special in the world of hip-hop. It was a time of interesting hairstyles, activist rap, African necklaces, and that, how do you say, Bump.Regardless of what part of the country you came from, or what you called it, everyone loved that bass heavy pound and Shakespeare like lyricism found in all forms of hip-hop. This was a burgeoning time when the underground really emerged, and people no longer asked whether Rap music was a passing fad.

In Oakland, California they had a regional slang for this music, Slump. Bay Area natives like Too Short, Digital Underground, Del The Funky Homosapien, RBL Posse, and Hobo Junction highlighted this sound. Other regions also had their innovators. Groups like The Jungle Brothers, Leaders Of The New School, Pharcyde, Ultra Magnetic Mc's, AMG, Ice Cube, & Public Enemy come very quickly to mind. So much bump and then like a bad nightmare, it stopped. The process seemed to come on gradually, but not really, kind of like a tripped out episode of Twilight Zone. One day there was bump, and then there was none. Perhaps it was the growth of hip-hop within the mainstream music world, and the push for more palatable songs featuring rice cake bland Mc's. Sure there were pockets of bump resistance nation wide, but by and large it was dead. All fans had left were new digi-ridiculous gimmick filled jiggy raps. Was it the diamonds, the hooks, or lights that confused everyone? What happened to the bump? Didn't anyone care anymore? (Enter The Slumplordz)

The Slumplordz were formed in Oakland, CA in 1997 with no preconceived notion or expectation. The only idea the Lordz ever had was to make the type of bumping ass hip-hop not seen since the early 1990's. Like most long-term hip-hop heads, the Slumplordz had grown to a point where the music they had loved since its inception (hip-hop), no longer appealed to them. It was not that their love of the music had diminished, but rather that the quality of it had reached an unbearable level. Whether considering the production and lyrical content of contemporary hip-hop on the radio, in music videos, or on the shelves of record stores, it was clear that the only way to bring back innovative hip-hop was to make it. With the help of friends who started the label Knock Factor, and its earlier incarnation Math Sound Workshop, a plan forged to market the group's music to the public at large.

So who are these Slumplordz? Well simply put, they are a collective of MCs and Producers who live and love hip-hop. The groups members include: Ogre, Moon, Hard, Gravy-MC, Davie Doses, & Tee. Within the Lordz camp, we find not only individual artists and producers, but also a number of groups including SunnMoonSekt (featuring Rard & Moon), The Yakuza (featuring Ogre & Rard), & The Original Raw Elements (featuring T, Gravy, & Ogre).

Having grown up in Oakland California during the socially charged 1980s, each Slumplord was influenced by a wide range of music and sociopolitical thought. Life long fans of hip-hop, it was natural to express themselves through the medium and not surprisingly, each member had been involved in a group prior to 97'. The trio of Ogre, Gravy, and T were all members of 1993's Elements. Ogre and Gravy were each respectively involved in Longevity (93/94) and Fall Out Shelter (96). Davie Doses had been a member of the L.A. based group Metamorphosis (96), while Rard and Moon respectively belonged to the East Coast based Devious Dysfunctional (96) and Young & The Restless (93).

The Lordz' first offering as a crew, was a 1999 self-titled LP by SunnMoonSekt. Although always recognized as some of the Bay Area's best underground MC's, it took the raw and experimental SunnMoonSekt release for critics and writers to take notice.

Fans tuned on to the group via the Internet, record pools, college radio, and small retail outlets. Though Rard and Moon were the first to be introduced to the public, tracks like 'Twisted Metal' and 'Eight Fold' (which featured Ogre and Gravy) had fans asking about the other Lordz. There has been a great buzz in the underground over the Lordz' next releases, the self titled ' Yakuza' LP (slatted for release in Spring 2000) and the highly anticipated Slumplordz LP (slated for release late 2000). (slatted for release in Summer 2000) and the highly anticipated Slumplordz' LP (slated for release mid 2001). Both releases will be be offered in conjunction with indie mavricks Stray Records. Early word on the Yakuza EP has been phenomenal, with songs like 'To 'The Face' and 'Slump' drawing major attention. Writers and hip-hop purists nation wide have begun to recognize the Slumplordz for their lyrical wizardry and the unique production style they call slump. Unlike most groups of their size, each Slumplord has been recognized as being individual in style, delivery, and sound.

If the Slumplordz represent a new wave in Hip-hop, then the world may be truly blessed. There work thus far, gives much reason for hope. Expect a great deal from these hip-hop vigilantes.

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Tracklisting

Slumplordz - Sunnmoonsekt