Hailing from Oakland, California comes Del the Funky Homosapien no doubt a true innovator and legend in the world of underground Hip-hop. Del got his start rapping behind his cousin, Ice Cube, as a member of his back-up band and crew. After parting ways, Del ventured out as a solo artist, making music that immediately gained attention. Del’s music offered a fresh new outlook on an otherwise gangsta rap controlled California Hip-Hop scene. His viewpoint offered a more detached alternative style laced with humorous rhymes and funky beats. After securing a deal with Elektra Records, Del released two critically acclaimed albums, I Wish my brother George was here ( 1991) and No need for alarm (1993). Despite record sales in the hundred of thousands, his third album, Future Development, was never commercially released. Fed up with the commercialized music industry, Del began working with his crew, the Hieroglyphics, to create a massive independent network of Oakland based Hip-Hop. The crew began to successfully release projects under their own Hieroglyphics Emporium label. Del, joined by a talented coalition of emcees, including Pep Love, the Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Domino, went on to create a critically acclaimed album called 3rd Eye Vision ( 1998). With the release of the album, “Hiero” went on the road and toured incessantly, supporting the album for much of 1998. Since their inception, the Hieroglyphics crew has developed a cult like following, while giving each one of their artists the creative freedom to expand. For his next solo effort, Del demanded complete control and came out with 17 tracks of pure Del funkiness. He handled the majority of the production on the album but also collaborated with some of Hip-Hop’s finest including Prince Paul and El-P(Def Jux). The album, titled Both Sides of the brain, again garnered excellent reviews. Rolling Stone magazine commented, “Del’s elastic language is the real star here. Rhyming about everything from The Hobbit to Joe Piscopo, he cements his status as rap’s staunchly independent lord of the underground and perhaps the best rapper you’ve never heard.” Continuing to grow in popularity, Del would soon solidify himself as one of Hip-Hop’s most versatile artists. Linking up with powerhouse producer Dan “the Automator” Nakamura and world-class turntablist Kid Koala, Del helped to create one of the most innovative Hip-Hop albums in recent history. Deltron 3030 received wonderful reviews (4.5 stars from RollingStone) and continued on to further secure Del’s place in Hip-Hop history. The ideas and concepts born with Deltron 3030 allowed for the creation of Del’s next project, the globally embraced “Gorillaz” collaboration. With Dan “the Automator” Nakamura, Blur’s Damon Albarn, Tom Tom Club’s Tona Weymouth, Buena Vista Social Club start Ibrahim Ferrer, and Kid Koala working together, the album was an immediate hit. Del’s lead vocals on the smash single “Clint Eastwood” helped the Gorillaz sell over 5 million records worldwide. Del has successfully released quality, critically acclaimed material for over 10 years. There seems to be no stopping him and as history has shown. Del’s lyrics and wordplay are the Midas touch to his wonderful taste in production. Del the Funky Homosapien has grown from the 17 year-old protege of Ice Cube, to a crafted artist, whose hypnotic voice has transcended the norm, taking underground Hip-Hop to an even deeper level.

Hailing from the middle, the B.E.A.T. claim residency in South Bend, IN. They came together through a common love of music.

United as one, they are B.EAST, ELROY, ARTEMIS, & TOGETHER they aim for world domination. Musically, their influences are drawn from bands such as BATTLES, MINUS THE BEAR, & SOULIVE with lyrical influences such as NAS, MF DOOM, & KENDRICK LAMAR shining through to create a sound all of their own. Eschewing over produced ear candy, this band creates live loops & effects to connect stellar musicianship with great emceeing: the way it should be done!

Slinging hot legal joints since 2010, the band has since played with national hip hop acts including BLACK MILK, CANIBUS, BROTHER ALI, & DEL THE FUNKY

HOMOSAPIEN, as well as alternative acts like LOTUS, VANITY THEFT, & SHINOBI NINJA!

Their hypnotic sound & captivating live performances are enough to sway  any audience to agree that they have something special going on! Their chemistry is electrifying. Their sound is cutting edge. Their music is REAL!

ImpoliteSociety is a Freeform Hip-Hop group, comprised of Westley J. Parker & ELEE and DJ Fess Grandiose. The triad has been circulating throughout the bubbling indie Hip-Hop scene of the Mid-West; building a brand based on work instead of the usual hype. For over a year they’ve been rocking Chicago’s premiere venues and the party circuits alike, moving crowds with their in-your-face live performances and clever yet straightforward lyrics reminiscent of golden era MCing with a Punk ethos.

Zac Hendrix is a dj, producer, and all around funky cat, as it turns out. He was born in the city of Seattle and grew up in nearby South King County. After early years as a bedroom dj, and subsequent years performing locally, Zac officially entered the independent hip-hop game on a full-time basis in 1999. He has traveled extensively as the DJ for Del the Funky Homosapien (since ’02), Bukue One (since ’99), and Insult2Injury (since ’96). He is also a member of The Handsome Skeletons, Hendrix Jones, All Flags Burn, and several other noteworthy groups that you not have heard of yet. Whether he’s rocking a large festival or a small club filled with the most discerning funk aficionados, he’s guaranteed to turn some heads. This is definitely not “dj so and so”.
The message is positive, the beats hit hard, and the vibe is earthy and honest…and did we mention funky?

Zac is a real person in the now, carrying on an amazing tradition of making something good out of lots of nuthin’. That spirit shined in the Bronx of the late 1970′s and it continues to make much needed guest appearances thanks to people like this.

Pseudo Slang is Emcee Sick and Dj Form as well as countless contributors such as Trucker Stroe, Tone Atlas, DJ Cutler, Gangsta D and contributing members DJ Tommee, Daringer, Dj LoPro, Mysterious L, A.L. Third + more. Formed in Buffalo NY and based in Chicago Pseudo Slang have been closely followed for a decade garnering international praise for creating a fresh sound that steps outside of contemporary rap’s confines. PS released their debut “Catalogue” October 2004 under the umbrella of Baby Steps Hip Hop which then operating as a record label. Catalogue was compilation of tracks recorded between 1999-2004, and due to the excitement it generated the group subsequently signed with Brooklyn-based indie-major Fat Beats Records in August 2005. Fat Beats then released Pseudo Slang “Broke & Copascetic” (12” Vinyl single) which sold over 3000 units worldwide, then to hold fans over until the official full-length the Slangers released “Thank God It’s Not Another Mixtape” (2006, CD) which created yet more buzz. Pseudo Slang completed six 40+ City US Tours, and toured extensively through Europe and Canada. Their flagship album “We’ll Keep Looking” was essentially a debut release for PS on the international heavyweight status Fat Beats commands, and the buzz has had the meters pinned down worldwise since. An exclusive Japanese Import of the album was released in Japan in April 2009. Most recently Pseudo Slang has had a German Import 7″ vinyl single “Cool Letter Man” b/w “Debt & Danger” released on ThinkLoud (2011) for which they shot a music video in East Germany which has increased the PS buzz to a fever pitch!