Minnesota has a pretty good hip hop scene... I probably need to stop mentioning these same groups everytime these threads come up... but they are so worth a listen. :) Atmosphere - Nationally and world known to any real fan of hip-hop, but refuse to ever sign a record deal so you'll never hear them on clear channel stations. Have their own record shop, their own label with other fantastic music, and put out tons of great albums. Made up of two guys from Minneapolis, Slug, the vocalist, and "Ant", the beatmaker/producer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMNNwa46Plg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84nqfhmo3tA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekivast3QX0 Brother Ali - On the label Atmosphere started, Brother Alis production and beats are also done by "Ant" from atmosphere. So if you like them, you'll probably like Brother Ali. He's white, was born an albino, and is also a Muslim. Makes from some really interesting hip hop and a different style of lyrics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JojHV4pAWDg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ScPoBEFl1Y Doom Tree - Another great local hip hop group, but refer to themselves as a "collective" as there is like 8+ members of the group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQhRQ8BI0gA For non hip-hop... Trampled by Turtles - bluegrass/folk band. Lots of guys with fiddles, mandolins, guitars, and of course beards and plaid. Great band to see live, has some pretty good stuff out. A little "jammy", a lot folk, and a lot of fun. Gaining more and more attention nationwide. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjdkc14-zwQ The Replacements - One of my all time favorite groups. Takes a little "aquired taste", but I love them, and the song I linked is one of my all time favorite songs out of anyone ever. The piano, his voice, it's all just perfect. They disbanded in 1991. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8J9WssSj7Q The Artist Formely Known as Prince - LOL. Also Bob Dylan is from here, but I think everyone knows who he is...
I was never a fan of Eyedea's music personally, but I hung out with him on a couple ocassions before he died. I grew up in Saint Paul, and while I didn't go to school with him, he went to Highland High School where many of my friends went. Spent a few nights out with him and his friends before he got really famous, mostly back when he was still doing his blaze battle stuff. I remember the first time I met him, and he told me his real name, I had no idea who he was, then his friends were calling him Eyedea. And I was like "Eyedea... like the rapper that I've seen on HBO blaze battles?" and he was a very modest and down to Earth dude about it all, albeit a bit "emo". But there are plenty of other local artists I could mention, but just kept to the more mainstream ones. I could have thrown POS in there too, but he doesn't have as mass appeal of atmosphere and brother ali, same thing with eyedea. Not everyone liked his music as much as the others on RhymeSayers label. But he is definitely worth noting.
I didn't "know" him, but had friends that did. I met him maybe 3 times, but we certainly didn't know each other. Just out drinking with mutual friends and what not. I also saw Slug in my Best Buy when I worked there a long time ago, asked him if I could help him find anything and he just said "probably not" and kept walking. Perks of living in the Twin Cities. But just wanted to be clear I didn't KNOW him, just met him through mutual friends a few times, and talked with him a few times. That's it.
You another fellow Minnesotan? I haven't run across any others on Hubski yet, but I figure there's a few out there.
That Trampled by Turtles song was amazing! Thanks for introducing me to them
Yeah, they are quite popular around here, and that the song that made them famous throughout the midwest. It's a very catchy tune... and you can't beat the name of their band. I also like the top youtube comment on that video "I imagine you would have to wait "so long" to be trampled by turtles". Glad I could share them with someone!