Over the summer, a good friend of mine knowing my love for real hip-hop wanted to introduce me to a couple of kids that had been interning at his IT startup. He told me they rapped and did music. They were two dudes from different parts of the city just starting college handling the company’s PR and marketing side.
Focusing on video production, these young professionals proved to be talented and showed their level of consistency in good work. This was Froz and Kash Jones. Two of Philly’s up and coming artists in the local music scene. It would be through this friend-of-a-friend connection that I got invited to Face Lucchese’s CD Release Party at the Goldilocks Gallery downtown.
Face, Froz, and Kash Jones are all members of the hip-hop-art collective ASPCP – ASTRO-STEEZ-PRETTY-COOL-PEASANTS – a five member new-school crew of artists, emcees, producers, videographers, photographers, and visual artists that all share a common view. A fresh take on hip-hop and a break away from the hood type of hip-hop Philly is known for; i.e. Freeway, Meek Mill, etc.
The other members Drew Mills and Del, I’d get to see that night. Including the 10 plus guests that shared the stage with the crew; spitting, rhyming, jumping up and down, hyping, and generally feeding into the audience, keeping the night flowing.
These guys have a vibe and energy to them that translates through the music and their live show. Beats filled with thump and nuance only a true artist could conjure and the samples and hooks to keep you moving. The show was so live, it was the first time since the 90’s that I’ve seen a moshpit form and members of the band freely stage diving into the crowd between verses. It reminded me of the hip-hop I grew up with – groups like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Brand Nubian, Beastie Boys and Black Star, artists who’ve carried a torch in hip-hop from a more organic, artistic, and positive approach.
It would be from here where I started following the group and quickly became a fan of each individual artist. Froz, Face Lucchese, Del, Kash Jones, and Drew Mills all have their own expression and share a love for the culture. Here is some of the group’s best work so far.
FACE LUCCHESE – Producer/Emcee
FROZ – Emcee/Producer
KASH JONES – Videographer
DEL – Visual Artist/Producer
DREW MILLS – EMCEE
