Leak Leisure: I know everyone says this, but I grew up around music. My dad was a musician. He raps as well, [and] was known locally. And my mom did poetry. It was just always around.
Lee Jones: I got into hip hop at an early age. My mom had Tupac posters in her room when I was young. She was real West Coast. My mom was a 16-year-old rebel. A lot of her family didn't approve of black culture, but my mom loved it. There's a picture of me at 6-years-old, I had headphones on and in the Walkman was Tupac’s All Eyez On Me, and ever since then it stuck with me. I was made to entertain, for real. My mom used to do slam poetry. I used to watch her open for people. I was made for hip hop.
Kvsper: I grew up in Wasilla, so I was into alternative rock and heavy metal. It wasn't until like sophomore year of high school that I got into hip hop. My friend suggested I get this Dizzy Wright album, so I copped it and went down the rabbit hole at that point.
When did you decide to get into rapping and what sparked that motivation?
DJ Allegiance: ‘95-‘96, I heard Marsh B & Sleaze [of Fairbanks’ rap crew DayBreak] recording at our homeboy Cameo's house. I got me, Tony Fingers [of Fairbanks’ rap collective OSL] and another friend, Nut, and we went and recorded our first song over there, and that was ‘96. I never really wanted to rap, I always wanted to be the DJ.
Leak: When I was 8-years-old, I wrote a rap with my cousin, Malik, who's in my crew Space League as well. That's when I knew I wanted to do this, but in 7th grade, I recorded my first song and performed it at our middle school dance, and I loved it. That was it for me.
Lee Jones: I was in college at the University of Dubuque. I started at wide receiver. I was ballin’, but then they moved me to tight end and it wasn't as fun anymore. I played the rest of my years out. I even played overseas; I played in Italy, Spain and France. Then I got cut by the Minnesota Vikings three years ago, on the first day of rookie camp. My dreams shattered in my face. But the whole time at school, I had a MacBook and Garage Band and I started recording myself for shits and giggles. And I realized that I really liked doing it. After my coach noticed I wasn't as dedicated as I used to be, I started choosing music over football without even knowing it. Rapping was more fun. I was getting more out of it, getting a better result—I record my voice, I have this track, I have this song.
Kvsper: I was doing music as a young kid, doing talent shows and stuff. I played piano and guitar growing up. It wasn't until two summers ago, me and a friend were talking about making a little album together. I had a mic and our boy Blanco made beats, and around Christmas 2016 was when I started recording music.
Who are artists that are/were major influences to you musically?
Leak: Growing up, to me first it was Bow Wow. That's who I look up to as a kid celebrity. Omarion from B2K, Outkast…
Lukie B: Definitely Mac Miller, and Action Bronson. He's carefree and just raps about bullshit.
DJ Allegiance: Redman, Nas, and Biggie and Kool G Rap. But when it comes to beats, it's always DJ Premier. Premier is thee guy for me. He's number one.