Deep Foundation
The First Draft
DF’s boom-bap-era-influenced brand of Hip-Hop incorporates reflective narratives of their upbringings & daily struggles. “The First Draft” presents 16 songs, each retelling their shared Filipino culture, set to the music of East coast hip-hop.
If judged by mere appearance and nationality, you will find conflicting perceptions of the hip-hop group, Deep Foundation. To many hip hop laymen, they come across as another rag-tag assembly of long-winded pseudo-political emcees that border on hip hop and alt-rock. To those outside the hip hop circle, murmurs of identity crisis and terms like wanna-be surface in conversation. Those familiar with DF however, know that they are neither the former nor the latter.
Deep Foundation is a culmination of unique styles, backgrounds, upbringings, values and experiences, brought to life by the words of four emcees: MUG Shot, ILL Poetik, CJ and Proseed. With assistance from Sawnd G, the turntable mastery of DJ Mike Intellect, and the body-bending break-dance of resident B-Boy Suitkace, Deep Foundation has captivated audiences up and down the east coast. With members residing in Queens and New Jersey, the collaboration seemed unlikely at first. However, the chemistry within the group, aided by bond of friendship that most members shared prior to the group’s establishment, was instant and natural.
They have not only surmounted the racially constructed obstacles present within hip hop, but the odds of bringing together a sundry collection of personalities whilst creating a sound unique to the stories and voices of their distinct perspectives. Exuding the pride of true Filipinos, the brash confidence of Tri-Staters, and the distinct limp and swagger of Hip Hop, the group has shared their opinions, sense of humor and overall love for hip hop in various colleges, clubs, charity events and hip hop functions since 2001.
They take a focused approach, devoting their time and effort to the creation of music, the enjoyment of their listeners and their positive influence on the public outlook on hip hop at large. In their constant pursuit of greatness, they pay homage to life, beats, rhymes, love, dedication, friendship and trust, praising their freedom to express, and expressing only what they feel free to express. Deep Foundation has arrived as a fresh lease on grass roots rebels providing gritty east coast sounds with a name you can trust.
With the independent release of their debut album entitled "The First Draft," Deep Foundation is well on its way to becoming a household name. With songs featuring established emcees such as Kiwi (formerly of Native Guns) , Nomi of Power Struggle, and producers from the east and west coasts including Illmind and Incise, this rap collective is leaving its stamp on the national Hip Hop scene. Joined by the R&B styling of songstress Ashley Robles, the versatility of MC/producer Hydroponikz, and singer/ songwriter Jay Legaspi, Deep Foundation's trademark culminates in a rare combination of soul, passion, humor and intensity. This 16-track offering will serve as a reminder that there is still a place in hip-hop for cultural pride and hardcore reality as well as head-nod catchiness.
Hip-Hop/Rap: East Coast