Botanique

The Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker) is the MC for the California hip-hop duo Blackalicious, and a member of Quannum Projects (along with Chief Xcel, DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born and Lateef).

Lateef The Truth Speaker is from Oakland, California. Recently heard on a General Elektriks song, “Facing the Void” which became a hit on YouTube for its puppet animation. He’s worked with Lyrics Born, Z-Trip and DJ Shadow.

Lyrics Born (a.k.a. Asia Born) is Tom Shimura (b. 1972), originally from Berkeley, California, though through his childhood he lived in Tokyo, Japan, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Joyo Velarde is known for her work with the Solesides/Quannum crew.

A hip hop duo from Portland, Oregon, Lifesavas are notable for what The Onion’s Nathan Rabin called their “self deprecating style.” Their creative and insightful songs are both approachable and complex.