Inverse
I'm pleased to kick off the first installment of our new 'Myspace Mondays' feature by introducing you all to a pair of local emcees that I'm sure are bound to go far. Meet Inverse, the collaborative force between partners in crime Tunji and Toby, two of L.A.'s freshest faces poised to make some noise on the Hip-Hop scene.
A brief background on how Inverse and Hip-Hop Is Read's paths met: Tunji (right) hit me up a few months back, and since then, I've been a fan of Inverse's music. By chance, Tunji came threw and was actually able to help me complete one of our sample sets (he passed me along a copy of the elusive 'I Can't Break Away' by Natalie Cole, needed for The Blueprint set). It was around this time that I had an abstract idea of compiling a list of Myspace artists to highlight in one major post titled 'Myspace's Top 50', or something like that. Since then, I've decided to drop the list idea and go straight to a weekly segment, introducing some of the net's best talent.
And it's only fitting that we kick off the start of 2008 and the first Myspace Mondays post with my hometown's own, Inverse. Having released their hot new mixtape 'So Far (The Collection)' on New Years Day (for free download), Inverse is primed to make a big splash this year as they prep their debut album, 'Long Day's Journey', for a 2008 release.
Here's an excerpt from their bio:
Inverse is as real as it gets. Through songs that are upbeat, emotional, bracing and oftentimes lighthearted accounts of their true life experiences, the two California-bred rappers share distinct similarities and differences that form the basis and balance for their music. Rapping under their given names, emcees Toby and Tunji appear extremely different on the surface - one white, one black; one from a Jewish household, the other raised Muslim; one raised in Los Angeles, the other in the bay area by Nigerian parents. What they share is a passion for music that transcends any labels. With their honest brand of soulful, straightforward hip hop, the group is part of a newly emerging generation of artists born in the '80s, raised by hip hop in the '90s, and poised to help revitalize the culture in the 2000s.'So Far (The Collection)' is easily one of the dopest (and I don't use that word too often) mixtapes you'll have heard in a long time. Featuring props from Kno of CunninLynguists and even Dave Chappelle, 'So Far (The Collection)' is an hour of pure Hip-Hop. One of the reasons why I've really gotten into these guys' music is the fact that it takes Hip-Hop back to a simpler time. The rhymes are meaningful and heartfelt, the production is soulful and smooth. A perfect balance of Old School and New School is felt throughout...
Formed in early 2001, the group cut early demos and songs with Swedish producers Soul Supreme (KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock) and K-Laz while still in their teens, leading to internet acclaim and video airplay on MTV Europe (for “The Reason,” chosen as the single from K-Laz’s album The Soulsnatcher). The group spent the next few years playing shows all over California and forming alliances with rising hip hop artists QN5 Music (Tonedeff, CunninLynguists, Pack FM, Extended Famm, etc.), Brother Ali, Little Brother and Trek Life.
Webster's Dictionary defines 'inverse' as:
reversed in position, order, directionThat sounds about right for this fact alone: When listening to Inverse, I personally get the sense that the starting point of their music is the freshness and detail of the new school, ultimately paired up and led towards the mellow vibes and soul of Golden Era Rap music. Either way, they pump out some great music that'll please both the Old School heads looking for something new, and the New School fans yearning for some more substance.
If you'd like to preview some of their tracks, head on over to their Myspace page:
A few of my favorite songs which can be heard on their page include the celestial 'Constellation' featuring a A-Dub & Nieve, along with the equally transcendental introductory track 'Remember the Name' (the current default song on HHIR's Myspace page).
And now that you've dug their preview tracks, you might as well just download 'So Far (The Collection)', the prequel to their 2008 debut album, for free at their Myspace page. Alternately, here's a direct link to the download page:
'SO FAR (THE COLLECTION' BY INVERSE
Wrapping things up, be sure to check out Inverse's blog for news about their music, as well as anything else they feel like posting up... ;-D
Also, here's Inverse's first official interview, hosted by DJ/Producer Descry.
And finally, what to expect from Inverse in 2008:
Readying their debut album Long Day's Journey for a 2008 release, Inverse draws on influences as far-reaching as OutKast, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Atmosphere and The Beatles, but most importantly from themselves and the world around them. Executive produced by A Piece Of Strange Music (the production duo of Deacon The Villain and Kno), the album will feature collaborations with Brother Ali, CunninLynguists, 9th Wonder, M-Phazes and more. The music is refreshingly honest, soulful and raw, anchored by poignant, personal rhymes and catchy melodies. Tunji and Toby rap truthfully about happiness, pain and everything in between, sounding only like themselves. Though only just getting started, Inverse stands poised to help usher in the next phase of hip hop music – just make sure you remember the name.
Keep Hip-Hop Alive!
...see you next week for the second installment of 'Myspace Mondays'...
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