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Audible Treats

"Underground" hip-hop

By DOMINIQUE HENDELMAN | September 12, 2007

Knobody

When the word “underground” gets attached to “hip-hop,” we’re apt to imagine white boys spouting SAT verbiage in a feeble imitation of the real thing. But Audible Treats, the underground hip-hop label based in Brooklyn, has gone a long way toward overcoming such preconceptions. With a supremely diverse roster of artists, Audible Treats is all about extracting and elevating the dope MCs from the depths of the underground. Come to the light . . .

Knobody, “What U Think”
The beat is crazy — like a drunken drum joy ride. And it sets a foundation for Knobody’s delivery, a mix of rhyming and spoken word that separates him from other Bay Area rappers. He was signed to the Hieroglyphics’ “farm team” — Triple i League — in 2006 and recently released The Clean Up.

G&D, “The One”
This track is reminiscent of classic OutKast in their ATLiens era. Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins are putting the soul back into hip-hop; they have enough funk to fill your trunk and then some.

Knowbody, “Supa”
This beat reminds me of New York in the mid ’90s. Knobody proves he can flow stylistic over any type of bass line. And speaking of lines — as in hook, line, and sinker — listen for the fish analogies.

Junk Science, “Jerry Maguire”
Gotta love the boys from Junk Science for bringing that playful early Beastie Boys mentality back to rap. Baje One and DJ Snafu are white boys from Brooklyn, so they have that in common with the Beasties as well. This is the definitive “quit your job” anthem!