Tim Wallis has been a recording artist since 2006 but has been honing his craft since the late 1980s. After releasing some early tracks for Rhyme Torrents compilations under the name boumtje, Wallis proceeded to form a group with himself and two alter-egos called Down Underdogs. Tracks such as “Nerf Herders” and “Heavy Flow Day” were well received by nerds and hiphop heads alike, but Wallis tired of playing multiple characters and decided to take things a little more seriously under a new stage name: The Ranger.

Dozens of guest appearances and random singles followed but it was his work with The 8 Bit Boys that introduced him to a much larger audience, joining Entity, ytcracker and T.Y.T. to create the 2008 album “8 Bit Diagrams”. Before the 8 Bit Boys album had even been completed, Wallis and T.Y.T formed a second group, Heightened Titans, with Whoremoans and Pelicaine. Their self-titled album was released in late 2008.

It took until 2009 for The Ranger to release his debut solo album, “The Cook Up”, which was essentially a compilation of various singles, guest appearances and unreleased material from the preceding two years. It was followed soon after by the “Evolution” EP which is The Ranger’s most personal work to date, featuring tracks about his relationships, marriage break up, his children and his desire to be a better person and father.

The Ranger is a member of 8 Bit Boys and Heightened Titans.

Discography

Evolution EP (2009)

The Cook Up (2009)

Extra Links

Half-teacher, half emcee, all hustle. A 12-year rhyme veteran, Philadelphia native and Phoenix transplant, Random speaks to the everyman through creative stories and concepts.

It all started with “The Call,” which hit stores in 2006 to rave reviews, and helped to establish Ran as one of underground hip-hop’s up and comers. “The Call” has been utilized in university curriculum and has propelled Random all over country, selling thousands of copies and encouraging young, old, rich and poor alike.

Random’s follow-up move can only be described as something Random. In 2007 he released the critically acclaimed “Mega Ran,” album, which combines hip-hop, rock and many more musical genres with the memorable music of the classic Mega Man video games. This album got him into the good graces of the game’s creators, Capcom, who offered Random full support of the project, which opened him up to a completely new fan base, in addition to his growing underground following. Now you are just as likely to catch Random spitting his clever, poignant rhymes at an anime convention as at an underground Hip-Hop spot.

Random released the conceptual “The 8th Day,” on August 8, 2008 featuring guest appearances by Naledge of Kidz in the Hall, LMNO of the Visionaries, MC Frontalot and many more, in addition to competing in the world-famous SCRIBBLE JAM MC Battle and landing a feature story in Blender Magazine.

Discography

TeacherRapperHero (2009) – free
The Call (2006)
Mega Ran (2007)
The 8th Day (2008)
Patches and Glue EP (2008)
Mega Ran 9 (2009)

Extra Links

Megaran Official Site
thesixtyone
Random’s Message Board

Tucson, AZ resident, by way of El Paso, TX and Chicago, IL, Gregory “Savant” Daggett has always possessed a passion for music and literary arts. Involved in general music since age 7, and a trumpet player since age 10, he wasn’t officially exposed to hip hop until age 12.

Although no particular emcee caught his ear right away, he was intrigued with the entire concept of an individual or a group of people speaking over instrumentation in an intensely rhythmic lyrical form, oftentimes telling semi-autobiographic tales relating to a fictionalized counterpart.

He became inspired to write and partake of the art of emceeing after hearing the 1999 seminal classic “Black on Both Sides” by Dante Smith and honed his emceeing chops at the lunch room ciphers of Chicago high schools Whitney M. Young and George Washington Carver. He has since dedicated every verse, every bar and every word to achieving the ever elusive sense of balance in this hallowed art form. His debut, “The Delayed Entry EP” serves as proof.

Discography

“The Delayed Entry EP” September 7, 2009 (Free download)

Videos

Savant Of RAREBREED – You Know ft. Rich Jones & Kasparov

Extra Links

Jeremy Jackson a.k.a. TYT. gained his name from high school court yard rap battles. Known as “Tight”, but as spelling was popular in freestyle in those days, he chose TYT. When confronted with the meaning, he replied “I think before I speak, you should too, Think Your Thoughts.

Throughout high school, becoming homeless, going to jail many times, and being a participant in 2 wars (Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom) with the U.S. Navy, he has always vented his feelings through his music. After the military, TYT. moved back to Japan to get married and now has a daughter. From testing video games, to teaching English; TYT. always has time for his love for making music.

Many independent labels are in an uproar to catch this sincere, hot, and talented artist. Listen to his tracks to find out why.

TYT is a member of 8 Bit Boys and Heightened Titans.

Discography

Scrub Club Records

Extra Links

Official Site
thesixtyone

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the Titans of Greek mythology were emcees? Probably not, but in the Heightened Titans you would have your answer. Powerful, cruel, arrogant and possessing supernatural hiphop powers, the Heightened Titans combine ethereal beats (by Pelicaine) with raw, uncompromising lyrics (by TYT, The Ranger & Whoremoans).

Whether preaching their own creation myths, illustrating the many ways in which they could crush you and your whole civilization or describing the pleasure and pain of a mortal female (un)lucky enough to be the object of a Titan’s sexual advances, the Heightened Titans are undoubtedly unique in the world of underground hip-hop.

Members

TYT
The Ranger
Whoremoans
Pelicaine

Discography

Heightened Titans (2008) – Free Download

Extra Links

thesixtyone

Ecomog, brandishing the slogan “changing hip-hop”, have time and time again proved that anyone with talent and a common goal can come together to make a difference. With lyrics centered around educational realism, they harness the essence of old school hip-hop, but with the energy of new school music. “ECOMOG is much more than just a group, it’s a movement.” says Entity when asked about the group. Growing sick and tired of the “get rich quick” mainstream rap that populates the airwaves, ECOMOG plans to make their name known on a worldwide scale.

In an effort to build upon their talents and gain even more outlets for their music, group members Epidemic and Entity started Ecomog TV in 2008 following the success of their sketch comedy parodies “The Hardest Rapper Alive” and “Homey The Rap Clown.” “We just got the idea one day to make these sketches, it was all spur of the moment,” recalls Epidemic. These spur of the moment ideas gained Ecomog over 300,000 viral views for “The Hardest Rapper Alive” and over 1 million for “Homey the Rap Clown.” The success of these videos also spawned a YouTube partnership through JumpOff TV where their most recent sketches can be seen. “We do it all; write, produce, comedy, you name it. We just get an idea and run with it and it seems like we’re gaining more and more fans everyday.” replied Entity when asked about their comedy endeavor.

In September 2008, Ecomog released its first major effort, SEVENDAYS; a project crafting an entire full length album from scratch in only a week while filming the entire process. “SEVENDAYS subvertised the process of creating an album for a major label,” explains group member Tonik when asked about the purpose of the project. “It showed people that making a solid album is possible without all the stated principles and theatrics of industry politics.” This test of Ecomog’s compatibility was a rising success as it went on to gain over 2,500 viral downloads to date.

In an attempt to capitalize on their momentum, Ecomog released another full length recording in January 2009 entitled, “808s & ECOMOG.”, an album produced and recorded entirely by Ecomog in almost the same amount of time as SEVENDAYS. “We gave 808s & Heartbreak a completely, different feel. We used it for our own purpose in order to improve our own skill and once again showcase our diversity,” recalled Entity about the album. This unique spin on Kanye West’s experimental record gained Ecomog another 4,000 viral downloads and an additional 80,000 listens on YouTube and other social media outlets. Now with the 2010 release of their latest effort “CLASSICS REVISITED”, Ecomog is adamant about claiming their spot in music history.

“I think it’s great that we’re putting out the music that we are considering the current state of Hip-Hop and music as a whole right now,” boasts Epidemic. “We know that we’re almost there and I think ‘CLASSICS REVISITED’ will open us up to even more fans and genres of music.” CLASSICS REVISITED, Ecomog’s first collaboration album with an outside source, blends the rhythmic sounds of Ratatat with the innovative ideas and lyrical dexterity of Ecomog to give a whole new identity to the 2006 Ratatat release, “CLASSICS”. “Creating these remix albums gives us a chance to expand on our own music and makes for a great marketing strategy,” adds Epidemic.

The album’s first single, “1 Mile,” featuring long-time friend and accomplished emcee T.Y.T captures the emotion and struggle that it took Ecomog to get to this point in their career over a melodic guitar-laden backdrop courtesy of Ratatat. “I think [1 Mile] is one of the truest songs we’ve ever written. It’s very personal, and a struggle we’ve both gone through and are STILL going through. But knowing that we’re almost there makes the battle that much more worth it.” mentioned Entity.

Ecomog plans to go full force in 2010 with 4 additional releases scheduled for the first half of the year alone. Releasing concept albums “AS SEEN ON TV,” “AS SEEN ON TV vol. 2″ and “FEATURE PRESENTATION” as prequels to their long awaited, and much anticipated mixtape, “Path of Glory”, 2010 will be the year the world discovers Philadelphia’s best kept secret, Ecomog.

Members

Entity
Epidemic
Tonik

Discography

Seven Days (2008) – Free Download
808s & ECOMOG (2009) – Free Download
The Five Elements (2010) – Free Download
As Seen On TV (2010) – Free Download
Classics Revisted (2010) – Free Download

Extra Links

ECOMOG.net
thesixtyone
ECOMOG TV
Facebook

Whoremoans is an independent hip-hop artist from Belleville, Illinois who was labeled at least some degree nerdcore by MC Frontalot himself. He has done two collaborations with MC Frontalot since their show together in St. Louis. “Mecha Mechanics” and “I Hate Your Blog.”

Other than that, he is mostly experimental, with a lot of emotional inspiration, and has two albums out, with a third one on the way.

Whoremoans is a member of Heightened Titans.

Discography

Rehab for the Brain Damaged (2007)
Episode II: Attack of the Moans (2008)
Whoremoans Hearts You (2009)

Extra Links

thesixtyone

Formed July 2006, Metamystiks Incorporated is comprised of emcees Super Dragon X and myf, and turntablist DJ Snyder.

Members

Super Dragon X
myf
DJ Snyder

Discography

Children of the Sword (2008) – Free Download

DJ Snyder and Entity created the phenomenal Calvin & Hobbes album for the 2008 RPM Challenge. The album was created in just 30 days and combines smart hip-hop and ample guest stars to create an affair to remember.

Members

Entity
DJ Snyder

Discography

Calvin & Hobbes (2008) – Free Download

Entity is a member of ECOMOG, 8 Bit Boys and Calvin & Hobbes.

Discography

Return of the Unknown (2009) *coming soon*