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Ang 13

H2O Soul

Shadow Master

Gilead 7

Phillip Morris

Sam I Am

Malakh El

Epidemic

Lyric

The following artists are the focus of the documentary film project: “Roof Top Hip-Hop.”  They were hand picked for a combination of musical talent, and expertise on the local Chicago Hip-Hop music scene.  Each are unique, all are skilled poets, musicians, and performers. Check out our Media section to preview some of their music.

Ang 13 was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop based on her extensive experience in the scene, and her unique ability to portray original, and complex ideas through music in such a way that is accessible to a wide range of listeners. 

"A lot of people still think girls can’t rap," says veteran rapper/producer Ang13, one of the city’s most respected MCs for the past decade. Since the age of 13, when it all started for her, she has gone from break-dancer, to graffiti writer, to emcee / producer.  Growing up in the streets of Chicago, she has been able to speak the language of the streets with the intelligence of a scholar.  Over the years, she has received training in the culture through practice and execution. 13 still keeps her hand in every aspect of Hip-Hop, but music is the area in which she is most creative.

She’s received accolades in magazines such as "The Source" being named one of the underground’s "best kept secrets" and The Chicago Tribune, ("Reigning Women in Hip- Hop. E M. McCormick) "Midwest Rap Gap" Upski Wimsap, Hip Hop for Hunger D. Jakubiak). The Chicago Sun-Times, Caught in the Middle Magazine, Humble Quest, Route 2000, The Chicago Defender, The Reader, and Chi-Rock Magazine have also praised her.

Her music has been featured in many well recognized projects such as, The 2000 Census, Nike Mix CD, Sprite Mix Tape, Chicago Rocks, The 50 Man Cipher (Rec Center), Chicago vs. New York and her own solo album "Phat as Yo’ Mama" which sold 7,000 copies in one month. Currently, 13’s music is featured on the Jurassic 5 "Power in Numbers" DVD (Interscope), and her single Oh No is featured on Chali2na’s (J5) Fish Market Mix CD. (2004).  Currently, she still performs regularly with bands such as Triologic, Hand of God, and most recently with Galactic. top 

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/ang13

H2O Soul was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop based on their success on the local performance circuit, and smooth soulful style, which is truly unique to the genre of Hip-Hop.  The bands front man, MPLI, was chosen for interview based on his multi faceted expertise, and education with regard to the entertainment business.  Between his degree in Music Management, his experience as a recording engineer, producer, and composer, both at his home studio, and multiple commercial recording facilities, and his countless years of experience as a performer and recording artist, he is well versed in all things music.

Hip Hop has long since left its humble New York beginnings and has traveled the world on the tongues of many different Masters of Ceremony, growing into a more cultured and global art form.  H2O Soul delivers a universal message in their music that appeals to the hearts, minds and souls of their listeners, relating to them through the human experience.  These three veteran emcees possess a unique chemistry, never before seen, that explodes on stage and on record. Their second release, Soul Reflections EP, chronicles their growth process, boasting a strong track list of seven songs that just may ware out your MP3 players rewind and replay buttons. 

The group’s youthful perspective, combined with heir social consciousness, makes for compelling content that will keep your ears glued to your speakers.  The album single, “Nuggets of Love,” featuring R&B/Soul singer Yaw, is an incredible spine tingling dedication to Siretha “Nugget” White, a victim of senseless violence in Chicago’s Englewood community.  So come along with Clever, SunnC and MPLI as they soulfully reflect on their past and prepare to embark on the journey to their future.top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/pureh2omusic

Shadow Master was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop because of his high status in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene.  Known by many, including the other members of the Roof Top Hip-Hop line-up, as “The Godfather”, Shadow Master has been an inspiration, and mentor to many prominent emcees on the local circuit.  Having hosted on of the city’s most popular Hip-Hop open mics for more than five years ("Dime a Dozen Tuesdays" at The Note), he is an iconic figure, and a scholar of the genre’s sorted history.  It’s because of this experience that he was chosen to be a judge at the Rhyme Spitters IV all city rap battle, held at The Metro in August of 2007. 

Shadow Master has been rhyming to cafeteria table beats, and singing R&B classics since grade school, but his career started to take off when he joined the 90 Proof Crew. They performed at nearly every venue in Chicago from The House of Blues, to The Metro, The Cubby Bear, Exodus, and so on. You can check out some of Shadow Master's work on projects like "Public Domain" put together by DJ Alo, featuring some of the most prominent Chicago underground MC's and groups. He is also featured on The Pacifics’ latest album.

With his dramatic vocal style Shadow Master also has done voiceovers for such video games as Midway's Mortal Combat (Jax), L.A. Rush (MTV commercial), NBA Ballers: Pheonom (Chauncy Billups, half time mc host and commercials), plus voiceovers and a hit song on Blitz the League (Play Dirty, produced by DJ Alo). For now, enjoy some of the songs that will be on-tap for that album with tracks produced by DJ Alo, 1120, Iron, Joe Fix etc. Currently, Shadow Master heads up another rap crew, Garden Music. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/gardenmusic

Gilead 7 was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop based on his uncommonly unique style and approach to Hip-Hop music.  In his songs he is able to create an entire mythical universe, debate theological, philosophical, and political concepts, and battle with imaginary adversaries.  His strength as a poet, philosopher, and musician can be accounted for by both his experience in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene, and his work as a scholar.  He is currently working on his PhD in Theology.

The style of Gilead7 is difficult to identify, and can be said to be "unpredictable." The post era boom bap hip-hop roots are the foundation on which he builds trip-hop, drum and bass, and electronic works in which he either rhymes to or produces. His spoken word is Shamanistic and daring; it is dark, thought provoking, and mystical.  Beginning in the fall of 98, he appeared and began to write rhymes, eventually culminating in his first album, "Explosions," released in the winter of 1999. In 2001, Gilead gained inner-city attention with the "The Calm EP," which was self-produced and recorded. This notoriety increased with the release of the collective EP "Reflections" in 2001, the "Invincible" single in 2002, and "Stories of Sorcery" in 2003.

In the fall of 2003, Chicago indie label ReServed Records asked Gilead7 to join and work on an album, and "The Darkroom" was created. Released in 2005, it features production from Maker of Glue/Galapagos4, 5th Element (Wu-Tang, All natural), Thaione Davis, Deftone, Two 1, and Gilead 7 himself. Other artists featured on “The Darkroom include Listener of Mush Records, Lord 360 (heard on releases by The Opus), Malakh, and many more. His most recent album, “Death Penalty Shots”, is a collection of artistic and conceptual, yet fierce and witty battle raps recited over a blend of experimental instrumentals. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/gilead7

  Phillip Morris was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop because of his hilariously entertaining, yet powerful lyrical content and delivery.  He has the ability to portray a wide range of subject matter in his songs, ranging from absurdly riotous, to poignantly political, all while delivering his words in perfect clarity and rhythm.  As his fan base suggests, he is arguably one of the liveliest performers in Chicago Hip-Hop

Phillip Morris. A man who has no idea what the word "cool" means, in any sense other than temperature. A revolutionary thinker trapped inside of an emcee’s frame. What began as writing as series of short stories in grammar school had turned into a full blown obsession with writing rhymes by 1997 when he was a freshman at the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign. Returning to his hometown of Chicago in 1998, Mister Morris began teaching himself how to produce beats using early versions of ACID and Fruityloops. Originally intent with creating simple backdrops to write to, he soon became obsessed with the intricacies of digital music production and recording. After years of honing his rhyme skills, in 2004 he hit the scene, going to any open mic he could find, and in 2005 he began writing and recording his first album while still frequenting various open mics across Chicago. This led to Phillip receiving a hosting spot at Innjoy's open mic alongside fellow Chicago emcees Awdazcate and Readymade.

The mixture of Phillip's unique voice, complex rhyme schemes, anomalous subject matter, coherent freestyles, and comprehensibility forced the underground hip-hop community to abruptly take notice. Released in early 2006, his debut album (the self-produced "Instrumentality") featured a wide variety of styles and subject matter. It includes the sharp-tongued social commentary of "Divided States", the widely felt ballad for the emotionally battered woman entitled "World of Deceit", and the bewildering combination of lyrical acrobatics & borderline psychosis laced upon "The Nightmare Before Christmas". This timeless piece of art was eagerly received by fans, helping catapult Phillip into a steady cascade of live performances at various bars, venues, and political events. These include events organized by Bands Not Bombs, Peoples Weekly World, Solidarity not Charity, YCL, and performing in front of thousands at the Anti-War rally on October 27th 2007 in Union Park. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/phillipmorris

Sam I am was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop based mostly on his uncanny improvisational, freestyle ability.  He is the most recent champion of the Rhyme Spitters IV emcee battle.  Through this freestyle ability, Sam I Am has become one of the most entertaining freestyle artists to be found Chicago’s open mic and performance circuit.

Sam I Am began rapping at the age of 5. After making countless raps and mixtapes in his basement, he would go on to become known for rapping, breakdancing, and DJing. During the 90's, Sam I Am worked with well respected hip hop crews such as S.A.K. CREW and ILL NATURE. SAM I AM orchestrated and hosted nearly 40 Open Mics for the artistic community at NIU (Northern Illinois University) and released two compilation albums of various NIU talent along with MPLI (of H2O Soul). He released his first full length album entitled ”Refreshing” in 2003 and his second album “The Taste" in 2007. Be on the lookout for the new album entitled “Cooler by the Lake", coming 2008.

Sam I Am has shared the stage with prominent hiphop artists such as: The Black Eyed Peas, De La Soul, WyClef, Krs-1, Talib Qweli, MC Lyte, Guru (of Gangstarr), and many others.  He has also had one of his songs featuring Haley and DJ Dookie featured in popular video game "PUMP-IT-UP." top

More Info:  www.myspace.com/samiamd2dae

Malakh El was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop because of his powerful stage presense, freestyle ability, and his commitment to social justice.  This commitment is shown both through his music, and his volunteer work as an educator.  Malakh teaches teenagers  music, dance, and theatre through several prevention education programs in the city of Chicago.

Born in 1981 and raised in Chicago, Malakh started writing poetry at age 8 and as time progressed he explored other variations of the art form (i.e. singing and rapping).It wouldn't be until 1999 that he would perform his first spoken word piece. His introduction into hip-hop began the 1980's with the west-coast all star's "We're all in the same gang" after that he would be under the rugged influences of Tribe Called Quest, X-Clan, Black Sheep, Ghetto Boys, 2 Pac, Busta Rhymes, etc..

As a poet, he felt as though it was his duty to carry on the traditions old African griots, biblical prophets, and historical revolutionaries through his lyrics and as a result has made it a point to create works of substance. As his creativity developed, so did the methods by which he expressed them.  Malakh hit an experimental phase between 21 and 24, trying out different concepts and collaborations which only helped him to solidify his purpose with Hip-Hop music.
Now, at age 26 he is currently the newest member of Still Black See Writers and Artists Guild (http://www.myspace.com/stillblackseeaudio), and is a youth advocate on Chicago's south side. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/desert_prince

Epidemic was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop for his extensive history and knowledge regarding Chicago Hip-Hop.  He is a veritable encyclopedia of Chicago's Hip Hop culture.  Through his songs, and especially his matter of fact freestyle ability, he is able to share reflections on the past and current state of the culture.

Epidemic has been compared to Aesop Rock, Sage Francis and older acts such as Beat Nuts and EPMD. Epidemic got his start entering talent shows and performing at block parties, moved quickly into recording. As he grew, so did his talent, drive, passion, and hunger for music.

Throughout the years, he was in several underground crews and kept his skills sharp by constantly free-styling out on the scene. It wasn't long before Epidemic made his way into the battle scene, placing in or winning almost every battle he has ever entered. He has been apart of Release Battles, Ryhme Spitters, Rhyme Spitters tag team battle, and Scribble Jam just to name a few.  Currently, Epidemic is currently working on two mix tapes and pre-production for an upcoming full length album. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/epidemic23

Lyric was chosen for Roof Top Hip-Hop because of his uncommonly down to earth freestyle and songwriting ability.  His lyrics reflect the day to day struggle of the modern day working class man.  His intense emotion and dedication to the culture come through in his songs. 

Lyric’s journey as an emcee started in high school, where he involved himself in as many music and arts programs he could.  In an effort to excerpt himself artistically, he started his high-school's first open mic, and produced several school wide concerts, and produced his senior video project.  Once he graduated, he continued his efforts to bring Hip-Hop music to the masses.  While involved with the Red Line Connexion crew, Lyric organized, hosted, and headlined a number of successful showcases, most notably, the “Random Acts of Hip-Hop” series.

In addition to his showcase experience, Lyric has made a name for himself as a freestyle emcee, and battle rapper, making it to the finals in some of the biggest freestyle battle competitions in the city:  Scribble Jam, Rhyme Spitters, and Kool Mix.  Currently, he is working on his first full-length solo album: “Transactions Through Hip-Hop Transfers”. top

More Info:  http://www.myspace.com/lyricversatilemusik