Ape9. Vato

Emerging from the mountainous state of Colorado, James Chavez (Ape9.) and Johnny Childress (Spoken Intellekt) are no newcomers to the music scene. Both have been actively involved in the local hip-hop scenes of Colorado Springs and Fort Collins since 1998. As part of the now defunkt crews Archetypes and Idiolectic Conception, Childress released two locally acclaimed albums (Ethos and Deep Rest). Chavez released his own solo album "Smile Now, Cry Inside Later" in 2006, which featured Ceschi and David Ramos of Toca fame. Between the two emcees they have opened up for the likes of Zion I, Astronautilus, Matre of the English League, K-the-I??, Swollen Members, DJ Qbert, Binary Star, Jedi Mind Tricks, Oldominion, Grand Buffet, Typical Cats, Saul Williams and more Spoken Intellekt and Ape9. utilize both of their cultural backgrounds (Black/Hispanic/Navajo/Japanese) and musical influences to shape their sound into something truly unique.