P.O.S, SHAD, THE CHICHARONES
Shad may be Canadian, but he ain't no puss. This Kenyan-born emcee's flow is smooth, while his DJ sets the tone for a sound similar in thoughtful tonality to Atmosphere and A Tribe Called Quest. What elevates his lyrics from the usual wealth-centric raps is his unabashed willingness to discuss consumerist culture, personal anxiety, and even genocide in Rwanda. Meanwhile, P.O.S (not to be confused with '90s band/nightmare P.O.D.) hails from Minneapolis, nexus of America's underground hiphop scene. P.O.S is the king of side projects, fronting to numerous punk-rock bands and playing in Building Better Bombs, and co-founding indie hiphop collective Doomtree. P.O.S' insightful lyrics and dynamic sound make him a force to be reckoned with. What better cherry on the hiphop sundae the Chicharones, a Portland hiphop duo, known for lively shows and a unique mix of hiphop, rock, and funk.