Album Notes

Fifth Faction is the subversive music expression of Rudy Diaz and Robert Vasquez. First formed in 1996, the two shared a passion for arcane and esoteric music. With Rudy experimenting in production of his own sounds, a vessel had been provided for the countless pages of rhymes each had accumulated. The more challenging and venomous they’re writing became, the more determined the two were to change the expectations of artistry in hip-hop music.

Fifth Faction went on to incorporate five vocalists, and together they worked on the earliest tracks. By the late 90’s, the Faction was a well-known artist collective throughout much of Los Angeles County, and were commonly in attendance at open mic’s displaying they’re unique craft aimed for an audience of engaging minds.

In early 2000, the working relationship between the five members broke down, and Fifth Faction was essentially disbanded. Despite the major setback, the original duo remained, and in late 2000 writing for the first Fifth Faction album was underway.

CONTRADICTION’S was completed in the summer of 2001. The fourteen track onslaught of obscurely laded beats and compositions was relegated to minimal release and to this day remains largely unheard. Still, dedicated Faction listeners recognize this record as the opening shot’s and the beginning coup d'etat of local microphone royalty.

Three years later Fifth Faction was back in the studio, this time for writing and recording of the SURGEON GENRALS WARNING album. The album was finished and released in 2005. A return to anti-conformity was the philosophy behind the project, and between the experimental production and writing of Rudy and Robert, the album has succeeded in re-introducing Fifth Faction to listeners with their own brand of auditory offensives.

2007 will mark the release of Fifth Faction’s third full-length independent album, SHOULDER THAT ARM.