Filed under: Features, Music, Music New, Must Watch, One To Watch, Things We're Diggin' | Tags: F.A.T Boys 08, F.A.T LP, Hip Hop, One To Watch, Pacific Division, Paper Feat TiRon
The sad truth in life is, that sometimes things must die to make room for new, fresh and ultimately better things to develop and grow. This is true in all things, including Hip Hop (was that deep?). It’s no secret that Hip Hop is going through some serious changes at the moment. The new is trying to stay true it’s roots, but often fails in order to gain success and make money. While the old is finding itself lost between the yester-year and the here and now.
However, in between those are a few talented artists/groups who are truly doing what Hip Hop is all about. Being fresh, fun, energetic, political, mind provoking and daring. You might have to look a bit harder for it these days, but they’re most certainly there!
Enter Pacific Division…
Haling from Palmdale, California Pacific Division consists of brothers Like and Mibbs and long-time homie BeYoung. They formed back in 2001, just after high school. After ruling out getting a ‘normal’ job, they decided to chase their destiny’s with “microphones and exclusive sneaks”.
Within only a short number of years the group were beginning to catch on. Their conceptional music, crafted by incessantly studying the greats (Native Tongues, Hieroglyphics, Thug Life etc) made it so that their image and their movement quickly inspired fans.
“In mid 2006, Pacific Division’s Blend Tape premiered, as a thematic mixtape combining mid-‘90s classic-inspired covers with newer works with 
producer Swiff-D (The Diplomats, Snoop Dogg, Nas). Songs chronicled day-jobs, trying to appeal to the fairer sex without fat pockets, restoring a Black presence in Hip Hop, and carefully coiffed wardrobes amidst the pursuit of glory”
The project landed the group in various publications, as well as creating that all important online buzz! The group, even in their infancy were proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Unsigned, no endorsements and no major company behind them, the only tools they had were their skills, their sneaks and their movement – thank God it began to pay off huh?
As time went on Pacific Division began getting recognition from major artists – even before the media! Through their Myspace alone, Pharrell Williams reached out a ‘spudd’ to the guys for making “innovative, fun music”. Support continued in the shape of The Roots’ Questlove and Snoop Dogg! “Rather than crutch these endorsements on album covers and Myspace banners, the trio matter-of-factly reminded fans that this trio was no overnight success!”.
Pacific Division decided from it’s conception that crafting an album was about focus, drive and quality – just like it used to be (you know, during the “golden era”). They als
o decided that their live shows had to be fully live and filled with energy. It is a lack of these principles today, that enable many Hip Hop artists to churn out mass-produced and generic music with a sideshow of nothing-ness!
…Thankfully Pacific Division knew better than that!
While their debut ”F.A.T” LP is being worked on by producers such as Exile [pictured], DJ Khalil and the groups longtime producer Swiff-D, it “delightfully forgets the tangents rap music has taken in the mainstream and simply affirms that good music is timeless”. Amen.
PinBoard family! We’re telling you, you gotta keep a close eye on these guys. Pacific Division is doing the one thing Hip Hop needs the most right now – being creative! While their raps, their melodies, their style and swagger all pay homage to ‘back in the day’, their balance of old and new is sure fired way of defining Hip Hop in 00′s.
We’ve added a couple of their videos below, check em’ out! We’ll also be adding some downloadable material in the not-so-distant future for you!
“F.A.T Boys 08“
“Paper“ Feat TiRon
Show your love by visiting their Myspace and Official Website.
Pacific Division. Most certainly - One To Watch!
Peace, Love & Pacific Division
SpeakerBox
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