Lawless Element will open for Digable Planets tonight at the Sunshine Theatre.
The group, relatively new to the world of hip-hop, is comprised of MCs Magnif and Griot, and tries to avoid playing by the rules.
Sure, critics often compare the Detroit hip-hop duo to classic acts like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, but Magnif said those similarities only go so far.
"Certain times you can hear influences, but for the most part it's brand new."
He said the group has a large number of influences. The two are in their early 20s, so they grew up during the height of hip-hop music.
"It's not a carbon copy," he said. "There's so many comparisons. I am a huge fan, a fan first before I am an artist. Everything growing up you will hear in my music. De La, Tribe, then turn to some Mobb Deep and Nas, Dr. Dre."
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He said the group is also influenced by other Detroit rap groups like Slum Village, and the music their parents listened to.
Magnif said the name Lawless Element means not fitting into any particular mold.
"It's just really, we're not trying to come out and be in a category, like 'this is underground,'" he said. We don't deal with the rules."
He gives as an example a music video the two made featuring "fly jewels and ladies shaking it up." He said an underground group would be expected to have break dancers in their video and avoid being flashy.
Lawless Element's debut album, Soundvision: In Stereo, is available on Baby Grande Records. This is the group's first national tour.
- John Bear
