Posted on 09/20/2005

 

Los Angeles always seems to be on the cutting edge, creating new styles and sounds ahead of the time, or at the very least, ahead of East Coast’s time. The newest group hailing from LA is the Longevity Crew. Made up of rapper StresOne, producer Choice37, and DJ Rel; the crew sounds straight up futuristic with Everything Builds. Everything Builds might as well be subtitled Back to the Future. This crew would fit in nicely with the Native Tongues, but also sound envelope-pushing, like the group's co-Los Angelian (note to self: find proper term for referring to someone from Los Angeles) Madlib. Choice37’s production draws on a lot of 70s and 80s smooth jazz sounds, creating an atmospheric, contemplative and chilled-out vibe. StresOne’s lyrics are introspective, dwelling a lot on soul-searching emotions and reflection. His verses lie more in the poetic school of rhyme delivery rather than battle raps, and coupled with the beats, the listener is transported into a world of their own, lost in concentration on the music.

Everything Builds is clearly an album for hip-hop nerds only. But it doesn’t seem like the crew would want it any other way. With the creative styles of both music and vocal delivery on the album, this is perfect thinking-man’s hip hop, and perhaps a little esoteric. However, the Longevity Crew can’t be hated for being who they are and doing what they’re good at. The group is clearly in it for the long run, anticipating the sound of tomorrow and giving it to us today.