Def Jux release info on the Mighty Underdogs debut
Solesides and Def Jux have finally released new information about the long awaited The Mighty Underdogs album Droppin’ Science Fiction. The hip hop group, composed of underground heavyweights the Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and Headnodic, will drop their debut full-length on October 14.
We also now know all of the special guests on the album. Based on the fact that the Underdogs’ EP The Prelude featured collaborators on just about every track, we shouldn’t be surprised by the list. Still, how can we not be excited for an album showcasing Gab, Lateef and Headnodic on every track, even before they add friends such as Julian and Damian Marley, Lyrics Born, Casual, Chali 2na, Rashaan Ahmad (of the great Crown City Rockers), Tash (of tha ‘Liks), Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, and Zion I.
Of course, if you have the EP, you already know how sick the original mix of “U.F.C.” (w/ DJ Shadow) and “Gunfight” (w/ MF Doom) sound. The Prelude also includes four other songs that will not be on the full-length, including “Love-Life Soundtrack” (w/ LadyBug Mecca of Digable Planets), so check that out while you are waiting.
Droppin’ Science Fiction Track Listing:
- Monster
- Hands in the Air
- So Sad (feat. Julian & Damian Marley)
- Gun Fight (feat. MF Doom)
- ILL Vacation (feat. Lyrics Born)
- Science Fiction
- Laughing at you (feat. Casual)
- Escape (Feat. Mr Lif & Akrobatik)
- Doglude
- Folks
- UFC remix (cuts by DJ Shadow)
- Want you Back
- Aye
- War Talk (feat. Chali 2na, Rashaan Ahmad, Tash, and Zion)
- Victorious
Here is a small sample of what Def Jux says about Droppin’ Science Fiction:
Album opener “Monster” is comic book evilness that powers up on a secret solution of mind-numbing lyricism at breakneck speed.
The MF Doom-assisted “Gun Fight” is a wild west romp where Gift of Gab goes out in a blaze of revenge-fueled glory over the most rappified twang since Bubba Sparxxx’s Deliverance. Even the interlude, aptly dubbed “Doglude,” is an exercise in a cappella beat building that shows Headnodic—despite being the least known member of the trio—belongs in this hallowed company.
The Might Underdog pedigree is one bred for serious heads. Throughout Blackalicious’s 10-year run as indie rap elite, Gift of Gab has found himself atop numerous Top 10 lists. Whether it’s solo action or paired with Lyrics Born as Latryx, Lateef the Truth Speaker is a linguist gymnast of the truly impassioned variety. Lateef’s got big game experience, too, as his collaboration with Fat Boy Slim, “Wonderful Night” scored a Grammy nomination. Headnodic, an accomplished bass player and part of the forever heralded and endlessly funky Crown City Rockers, is ready for a busy 2008, as his musical partnership with Moe Pope looks to gain more than a few nods from the real hip-hop heads, in addition to his Mighty Underdog work. On Dropping Science, his productions run the gamut from anime-in-space laser fights to Timbaland-channeling sample sources and trunk-rattling bass.
Check out:
“The Anthem”
“Gunfight”
The video for “Gunfight” directed by Ben Stokes (you may have seen some of his work if you attended any of the DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist Hard Sell dates or DJ Shadow tours in past years. He was responsible for the crazy visuals.)
The Mighty Underdogs freestyle
The Mighty Underdogs’ tour dates:
8/22 – Troutdale, Oregon @ McMennan’s Edgefield ^
8/23 – Seattle, Washington @ Marymoor Amphitheatre ^
8/24 – San Francisco, California @ Outside Lands Festival
9/11 – TBD
9/12 – Pomona, California @ The Glasshouse *
9/13 – Hollywood, California @ Troubadour *
9/14 – Hollywood, California @ Troubadour *
9/15 – Hollywood, California @ Troubadour *
9/17 – San Deigo, California @ Belly Up *
9/18 – Fresno, California @ The Exit *
9/19 – San Luis Obispo, California @ The Brewery *
9/28 – Melbourne, Australia @ #
10/2 – Brisbane, Australia @ #
10/5 – Sydney, Australia @ TBD #
10/6 – Adelaide, Australia @ TBD #
10/9 – Auckland, New Zealand @ TBD #
10/10 – Wellington, New Zealand @ TBD #
10/11 – Chirstchurch, New Zealand @ TBD #
^= w/ STS9, Blackalicious
* = w/ Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz
# = w/ Blackalicious
I am reasonably sure they opened for The Hard Sell at Mccaren Pool. It might have been an off day for them, but I was disappointed with what I saw at that performance. I will check this out though.
That’s too bad. Having seen them all separately, I think that it probably was an off day. Blackalicious (Gift of Gab’s group) is great and Gab’s flow is sick. Lateef solo is ALWAYS an amazing show. I think he is extremely underappreciated. I’ve only seen Headnodic live with Crown City, but that still ranks as one of my favorite performances (at the North East Kingdom Music Festival).
The EP sounded very old school at first, but it didn’t take long to grow on me. Obviously, I can’t speak for the full-length yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
Oct 8th, 2008 at 9:02 am
[...] of full-lengths, on October 14th, The Might Underdogs, Crown City Rockers’ Headnodic’s “hip-hop” super side-project with Blackalicious’ Gift of Gab and Latyrx’s Lateef the Truth Speaker, will release its [...]