Sandpeople, a ten member collective from the
Pacific Northwest, is proud to announce the release of their new studio
EP, Long Story, Short... available May 26, 2009 via Sandpeople
Music. The
Juice Crew; Wu-Tang Clan; Native
Tongues; these names conjure memories
of a time when hip-hop collectives reigned dominant. Comprising 10 members
in total, each with unique styles and abilities, Sandpeople is working
tirelessly to solidify the importance of the hip-hop crew once more. Ethic,
a rapper and one tenth of the group says, "The collective is not something
you see too much of anymore; it's a unique group structure. Being from
the Pacific Northwest puts us at a disadvantage, but being a crew adds
a dynamic and cohesive element to what we're doing that helps us stand
out amongst the crowd." With the release of Long Story,
Short...,
the group's cohesive sound at once harkens back to the crew aesthetic of
the past while carrying the torch for the potential of the future. For
Long Story, Short..., operating entirely in-house, including recording
and mixing, allowed the EP's creation process an organic feel, while remaining
streamlined and efficient. That process begins with Sandpeople producer,
rapper, and multi-instrumentalist, Sapient, whose diverse production is
on display throughout the EP. The rappers in the crew, each with a unique
style, choose the beats they want to work with, brainstorm concepts, and
self-select to decide who will fit the song style and concept for each
song. The result of this tried-and-true process for Sandpeople is a stellar
nine track EP, including the album's lead single, "Hate Aside," which
the collective will be shooting a video for in the near future.Since the
2005 release of Sandpeople's debut album, Points of View, the group has
seen a growth not only in their own numbers, but also in their rate of
musical output. The Sandpeople collective comprises several sub-groups,
each recording and releasing their own respective works in conjunction
with the group projects, expanding the Sandpeople catalog and stretching
the reach of their music from Japan to Australia and throughout the United
States. Among the ten artists who comprise the Sandpeople is ILLmaculate,
a Portland native who has accumulated numerous accolades for his rapping
abilities, including being crowned champion of the 2004 Scribble Jam rap
battle at the age of 17. TheSaurus, another member of the crew, also won
the 2006 and 2007 World Rap Championships hosted by JumpOff.TV. Along with
the group's producer Sapient, who has garnered recognition from his work
with artists such as Tech N9ne, Inspectah Deck, and Aesop
Rock, Sandpeople
have the firepower to put on a great show and to make great music. Listen to "Money Is on Their Minds" http://media.audibletreats.