"B-boy for life so fuck the suit and a tie"

People Under The Stairs have been on the scene for 10 years now, and have left their imprint in underground hip hop no doubt. The P have put out 5 albums so far, and are going for their 6th dropping this Tuesday. These cats have a distinctive style that no other artist can capture. Their albums have that laid back, cool out and listen feeling. Perfect to listen to for a variety of situations. Every time I hit shuffle on my iPod, and one of their songs come up, I get excited and break my neck to their unsurpassed beats and well written lyrics. You can really hear the passion they put into their music as well as the fun they have making it.

If you were to ask me, I would tell you that these cats are the embodiment of hip hop; every rappers dream. Lyrically, they have never spit a wack bar. Every track they put out is chock full of lyrics that flow and rhyme impeccably. Along with their godly ability for writing, they also have talent in making beats, especially Thes One, who has perfected the art of beat making. Their beats are self synthesized, and consist of heavy snare, ear popping bass, reminiscent samples, and the occasional scratching.

Honestly it's pretty hard to sit here and try to analyze their music, even if I am a huge fan. I'm genuinely at a loss for words for this duo...all I can say is listen to their music and you'll see what I'm talking about.

"So watch how these Outbox kids, out box kids"

Doing the math (by adding up the total plays from each song) I have played While You Were Sleeping 726 times already in the past month alone, and Entry Level/Elements 1584 times. Judging by the statistics you can tell that I'm a hardcore Canto I fan. I sincerely believe that these guys are going to be the next best thing, and they're blowing up pretty fast. I can still remember the first time I ever heard them, which was around spring of 2007. They automatically jumped out at me. In my opinion Effect and Joe Fury are bringing back real hip hop. If you look up hip hop in the dictionary, their picture along with the lyrics to "Sidewalk Cypher" should be next to the definition.

Lyrically they destroy every track I've heard them on. Their lyrics aren't the usual lyrics, but of actual experiences and opinions/ideas such as work, relationships, etc. In the interview I was privileged enough to conduct with this duo, Joe Fury explains: "To be brutally honest with you I write about things that I have kept bottled up from everyone for a really long time and the only way to get those things off my chest is to tell the music. Like things about love, or not being in love, a beautiful day, school, having to get up early as fuck to go to work, shit like that. I write about everyday events that affect me directly." I guess you could consider them "conscious hip hop" but I'm not one for labeling. In my opinion, Canto I are up there with Lupe, and Jay Elec lyrically. Beat wise, Jape, Galley, Steez, and Chad Lee, produce some bangin beat for these cats to "talk to". Big ups to Outbox for making such amazing music!

Overall, I can see Canto I becoming one of the hip hop giants in the future on the underground scene, and maybe even the main stream scene, as long as they keep pumping out meaningful music that people can relate to. Now go out and cop their albums, they really deserve the support.

"Hit 'em like comic books, kaboom pow pow"

Since there's been a Hip Hop drought lately, I think I'll fill you guys in on my interpretation of this Kid named Cudi. So I've been listening to Kid Cudi non-stop lately. I don't know what it is about this cat, but the music that he makes is so different, it's like a vacation from the norm. I can't really explain his music, It's so catchy that you can't stop listening to him. According to his website, his music "fuses alternative rock, hip hop and occasionally R & B, to form feel good and emotionally conscious records." Now I'm not saying that he's the best lyricist I've heard this year (that has to go to Jay Electronica, sorry Cudi) but his music does have this sort of hypnotic quality. I can guarantee you that you will find yourself singing along after a couple of listens, I know this from experience haha. If you don't believe me check out his myspace, and download his mixtape. I believe that Kid Cudi, along with, Jay Electronica, The Cool Kids, Wale, and a few other up and coming artists are going to provide a new and different dynamic for Hip Hop. Look out for this cat in the future, he's going to be big.

Feel free to leave me comments on what you think about him, or this post.

"I hear them talking pimpin' they like who this Cudi nigga? I am the epitome of what you aim"