Sacramento emcees NowOrNever, MICjordan, and Poor are TRIBE OF LEVI, purists who strive to embody the values of a bygone era of hiphop: originality and substance.
Featuring production by LEE BANNON, BLU and more, TRIBE OF LEVI strives to bring hiphop back to an era when only the best rappers became superstar, when MCs placed the craft before the hustle, and when biting got you dealt with. TRIBE OF LEVI's style of conscious hardcore is raw, old-school circa-'94 hiphop: a throwback to what many consider the Golden Age of rap music, when artists were expected to be both skilled and thought-provoking.
TRIBE OF LEVI has recorded and performed with luminaries such as SADAT X, BLU, NAS, DEAD PREZ, ANA TIJOUX, LITTLE BROTHER, ZION I, KRS-ONE, BLACK SHEEP, ILLOGIC, BRU LEI, BUTTERSCOTCH and more. Voted the winner of the 2010 Sacramento Area Music award for "Outstanding Hiphop/Rap," these emcees elevate the artform by returning to its roots.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, HERE'S WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY:
Aaris Schroeder of UBO Magazine on MICjordan's currently-available LP "LEVIATHAN": "Mic Jordan is analytical and persuasive. Tribe of Levi has always been about their emceeing skills and word play, bringing the attention to local and universal politics and life's daily dealings, so it is no wonder that Mic Jordan's mind aimed in the same direction with his second solo album.Bru Lei, Mahtie Bush, 5th Ave, Random Abiladeze, Rick Tognotti, [and] Glassfire are all featured on Mic Jordan's underground lyrical masterpiece."
Josh Fernandez of The Sacramento News & Review on Mic Jordan's currently-available LP "LEVIATHAN":
"From the first verse--"I've been told that I'm an old soul/ It's not that exactly/ It's just this world is so cold,/ You gotta be wise just to have a chance to grow old"--it's clear that Mic Jordan is an emcee who steps beyond rap writing and ventures boldly into hip-hop poetry. From Daddy Longlegs' flute-laced beat on "Fa Sho" to 26 Hours' action movie-esque production on "Until the Day," this album is a gold mine for fans of real hip-hop. The star of this album, of course, is Mic Jordan, who consistently displays trademark wisdom combined with stunning wordplay on each track. If for one second you doubt the talent of Sacramento emcees and producers, find this album and be silenced for good."
Josh Fernandez of The Sacramento News & Review on Poor's currently-available EP ".FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH": "In this oversaturated rap market full of self-conscious and boring emcees, Poor's brutally honest approach is a breath of fresh air. And so is Mic Jordan, whose imaginative production takes interesting turns--from rock to straight-up hip-hop. "Sex Sells" flaunts Poor's obvious love of language, while Jordan hops on the mic to round out a beautifully obscene track. The disc's highlight, though, is "Dark Blue," produced by Jeremy Pearson, who loops breathtaking jazz piano over a lazy drum track to mesmerize the listener into a near-trancelike state. Poor uses the beat wisely, not merely as a backdrop but as a tool for his voice to craft structurally sound compositions with. Ingeniously, Poor rhymes underneath, over and through this texture-heavy track. Stay on the lookout for this rich emcee."
Todd Osterhout of The Local Slice on Mic Jordan's forthcoming LP "Air": "Introspective, conscious, deep, intense, creative, soul-felt lyrics glide over dreamy, "barefoot" beats with a 70s feel. keeps all aspects of his music relevant, connected, and in harmony [Mic Jordan] includes creative tales of wonder along with the real street knowledge he's learned from California life. He often speaks positively of religion but against using power to deceive the people. Jordan alludes to modern and ancient mythology in the context of keeping an open mind - respecting diversity. He tackles topics such as politics, race, class, drugs, alcohol, and youth to adolescence to making a living. with fast and complex yet clear and compelling deliveries transferring to a calm, easy style. close your eyes and let Jordan guide your imagination and transform your perspective."
FOR FANS OF: Talib Kweli, MF DOOM, NaS, Brother Ali, Zion I, Blu, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, Fashawn
