41-634: The Knux are an American alternative hip hop duo, formed in 2003, composed of brothers Kentrell "Krispy" Lindsey (formerly known as Krispy Kream ) and Alvin "Joey" Lindsey (formerly known as Rah Al Millio ). Both brothers are multi-instrumentalists, who sing and rap , as well as produce the bulk of their own music. Their music contains elements of rock, electronic and pop music. The Knux are well known for their intense live shows; in 2009, they were invited to perform at almost every major music festival in North America. They have also toured with
82-554: A Grammy Award for Album of the Year —making it only the second hip-hop album to win the award ( The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill being the first) and has been certified diamond by selling 11 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). MF Doom had been on the come up in the underground scene after releasing his debut studio album, Operation: Doomsday . He came back to
123-417: A nerd : "I was like the nerd, into video games and stuff like that, and Krispy was more like, popular and into hanging out and girls." True to their often cantankerous relationship, Krispy begs to differ: "Ah man, that's just how Joey likes to say it, but that ain't how it was. Joey was always a cool mu'fucka, it's just that we didn't fuck with each other like that." Although they shared the same roof, and
164-598: A slew of diverse artists spanning various genres, such as Common , Q-Tip , Nas , The Roots , Shwayze , Lupe Fiasco , DJ AM , Travis Barker and DJ Cobra , among other prominent artists. They released their debut album Remind Me in 3 Days... , on October 28, 2008. They released their follow-up, Eraser , on September 27, 2011. The Lindsey brothers were born and raised in New Orleans , Louisiana, by their single mother. The two brothers were initially not very close. Joey likes to describe their childhood as him being
205-482: A street-life experience. Kanye led a wave of new artists— Kid Cudi , Wale , Lupe Fiasco , Kidz in the Hall , Drake , Nicki Minaj —who lacked the interest or ability to create narratives about any past gunplay or drug-dealing ." Similarly, in a retrospective article, Rosie Swash of The Guardian viewed the album's sales competition with 50 Cent's Curtis as a historical moment in hip hop, writing that it "highlighted
246-465: A year of the two hanging out and writing rhymes, they hooked up with an uncle who was a local producer and started to create songs together. Krispy has said: "We started off calling ourselves The Knuckle Heads and we'd go over to his studio to make beats and songs." The brothers were displaced after Hurricane Katrina hit their hometown, after which the brothers relocated to Los Angeles, California. The Knux began to gain recognition in 2007, when they were
287-459: Is a subgenre of hip hop music that encompasses a wide range of styles that are not typically identified as mainstream. AllMusic defines it as comprising " hip hop groups that refuse to conform to any of the traditional stereotypes of rap, such as gangsta , bass , hardcore , and party rap. Instead, they blur genres drawing equally from funk and pop/rock , as well as jazz , soul , reggae , and even folk ." Alternative hip hop developed in
328-467: Is doing now, those are the kinds of sounds that are on Kamaal the Abstract . Maybe even a little more out. Kamaal was just me, guerrilla. Similarly, BET refused to play "Lovin' It", the lead single of duo Little Brother 's socio-politically charged concept album The Minstrel Show , which provided a tongue-in-cheek critique of African American pop culture, on the grounds that the group's music
369-473: Is the recipient of consistent critical acclaim but is generally shunned by American mainstream media and widely regarded as commercially unappealing. New York radio personality and spoken word artist Imhotep Gary Byrd 's single "The Crown" was rejected by American radio stations for being "too Black and too positive." However, the song was very well received and become a hit in Europe. It reached number 6 on
410-805: The UK Singles Chart , becoming the longest record ever to reach the top 10 in the history of the British Charts. Over the years, multiple organizations representing African Americans such as the National Black Leadership Alliance and the National Congress of Black Women have released statements criticizing how urban radio stations refuse to play rap music that does not demean and degrade black women, shunning alternative hip-hop artists such as Arrested Development and Dead Prez . Q-Tip , frontman of
451-602: The alternative rock movement, alternative hip hop segued into the mainstream at the dawn of the 1990s. Arrested Development , along with The Fugees , stand as some of the first few alternative rap to be recognized by mainstream audiences. The classic debut albums 3 Feet High and Rising , People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm , and Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde achieved minor commercial success as they garnered immense acclaim from music critics, who described
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#1732771858919492-465: The opening act for Chicago-bred rapper Common 's Finding Forever Tour . On February 19, 2008, the song "Cappuccino", was the first single by The Knux, officially released by Interscope. The song was later featured in an episode of the fourth season of the HBO original series, Entourage . The song was later featured in the stoner film , Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay . A music video for
533-490: The "Cappuccino", was subsequently filmed. With the singles "Bang, Bang" and "Cappuccino" garnering attention, their debut album Remind Me in 3 Days... , was released in 2008. The album charted at number 23 on the U.S. Top Heatseekers . After spending most of 2009 touring to promote their debut album, 2010 had The Knux back in the studio working on their second release. On January 2, 2010, The Knux released their debut extended play (EP), titled Fuck You . They later announced
574-404: The 2000s, alternative hip hop reattained its place within the mainstream, due in part to the declining commercial viability of gangsta rap as well as the crossover success of artists such as Outkast, Kanye West , and Gnarls Barkley . Outkast's fifth studio album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003) receive universal acclaim from music critics and had two number-one hit singles. The album won
615-797: The Jewels , Childish Gambino , Logic , Brockhampton , L.I.F.T. and nothing, nowhere . Regarding audiences, according to Jeff Regan, senior director of music programming for the Alt Nation channel on Sirius XM Radio , "This generation has maybe never even gone to a record store or CD store where there was a hip-hop section and a rock section—it has all been in front of them on a screen." Thus recording artists and groups traditionally perceived as rappers are included on his predominantly rock -oriented playlists. He said, "Whether it's Lil Peep or Brockhampton or Post Malone , we have tried records from all those artists. ... We need some depth perception in
656-647: The U.K., and Paris. On November 7, 2012 "Toke Up", the second offering from KTWN , was released. Their second EP, KTWN , was released on November 26, 2012. On April 28, 2015, The Knux released Eleven , their third studio album. The duo currently reside in Los Angeles , California. The%20Illustrious %20(2023″)===*06.%20"Cliché",%20cyber%20research%20important%20publisher" ===STS – The Illustrious (2023)===*06. "Cliché", cyber research important publisher" Alternative hip hop Alternative hip hop (also known as alternative rap and experimental hip hop )
697-568: The US Billboard 200 chart, and briefly became the best-selling album of all time. That same year, A Tribe Called Quest reached their commercial peak with the release of their album Beats, Rhymes and Life , which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and became their best-selling release, while acts such as Outkast and De La Soul released some of their most definitive albums with Atliens and Stakes Is High . Since
738-584: The United States to include the Somali -Canadian poet K'naan and the British artist M.I.A. Alternative hip hop acts have attained much critical acclaim, but receive relatively little exposure through radio and other media outlets. The most prominent alternative hip hop acts include A Tribe Called Quest , De La Soul , Hieroglyphics , The Pharcyde , Digable Planets and Black Sheep . Originating in
779-760: The albums Gorillaz and Demon Days . Today, due in part to the increasing use of social networking as well as online distribution , many alternative rap artists are finding acceptance by far-reaching audiences. Robert Orton (mix engineer) Robert Orton (born 15 May 1978) is a British music producer and mix engineer. He has worked with many artists including; Lady Gaga , Carly Rae Jepsen , Emeli Sandé , Lana Del Rey , Flo Rida , Sean Kingston , Kelis , Ellie Goulding , Owl City , Sean Paul , Enrique Iglesias , Darren Hayes , Robbie Williams , Nicole Scherzinger , Pixie Lott , Lil Jon , Usher , Mary J. Blige , Backstreet Boys , The Police , Pet Shop Boys , t.A.T.u. among others. He has been nominated for
820-563: The charts in several countries. Shing02 was chosen for rapping "Battlecry", the theme song of the hit hip-hop -influenced chanbara anime Samurai Champloo , which was produced by Japanese jazz rap DJ Nujabes . Time magazine placed M.I.A in the Time 100 list of "World's Most Influential people" for having "global influence across many genres." Groups like the British virtual band Gorillaz also experienced mainstream popularity during this time, selling over 20 million albums total between
861-760: The diverging facets of hip-hop in the last decade; the former was gangsta rap for the noughties, while West was the thinking man's alternative." Several artists and groups acknowledge being directly influenced by their 1990s predecessors in addition to alternative rock groups while their music has been noted by critics as expressing eclectic sounds, life experiences and emotions rarely seen in mainstream hip hop. As traditional rock music continually becomes less synonymous with pop music , more left-of-center artists who are not fully embraced by hip-hop radio have increasingly found inclusion on alternative radio . According to Nielsen SoundScan , contemporary hip-hop acts who increasingly receive domestic airplay on alt-radio include Run
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#1732771858919902-405: The first offering from their new project KTWN , a song titled "Animal". The project, KTWN , stands for the place The Knux now call home: Koreatown in downtown Los Angeles. "Animal" is the first single from KTWN with a combination of high energy rapping, singing, and guitar work. Throughout August and September the duo toured in the U.S., and revealed plans to bring the electric live show to Japan,
943-621: The gangsta lifestyle becoming the driving force of sales figures. The situation changed around the mid-'90s with the emergence and mainstream popularity of East Coast hardcore rap artists such as Wu-Tang Clan , Nas , The Notorious B.I.G. , and Mobb Deep . Following this development, many alternative rap acts eventually either disbanded or faded into obscurity. In his 1995 book on the current state of hip hop culture , music critic Stephen Rodrick wrote that, at that time, alternative hip hop had "drawn little more than barely concealed yawns from other rappers and urban audiences" and concluded that
984-409: The highly influential alternative rap group A Tribe Called Quest , had his sophomore solo effort, Kamaal the Abstract , shelved for nearly a decade after his record label deemed the genre-bending album as sounding uncommercial. Q-Tip said: I am really disappointed that Kamaal wasn't released. LA Reid didn't know what to do with it; then, three years later, they release Outkast . What Outkast
1025-404: The hip-hop scene after the dissolving of group KMD . Later, he and Madlib 's 2004 project Madvillainy was released in this time period as the duo Madvillain . This album was praised by music critics and inspired other artists, such as Aminé and Joey Badass . Gnarls Barkley experienced a surprise hit with their debut single, " Crazy ". Due to high download sales, it reached number one in
1066-475: The late 1980s and experienced a degree of mainstream recognition during the early to mid-1990s. While some groups such as Arrested Development and The Fugees achieved commercial success, many alternative rap acts tend to be embraced by alternative rock listeners rather than hip hop or pop audiences. The commercial and cultural momentum was impeded by the simultaneous emergence of significantly harder-edged West Coast gangsta rap . A resurgence came about in
1107-650: The late 1980s, in midst of the golden age of hip hop , alternative hip hop was headed primarily by East Coast groups such as De La Soul , Jungle Brothers , A Tribe Called Quest , Pete Rock & CL Smooth , Brand Nubian , and Digable Planets in subsidiary conjunction by West Coast acts such as The Pharcyde , Digital Underground , Souls of Mischief , Del the Funky Homosapien , and Freestyle Fellowship as well as certain Southern acts such as Arrested Development, Goodie Mob , and Outkast . Similar to
1148-412: The late 1990s and early 2000s at the dawn of the digital era with a rejuvenated interest in independent music by the general public. During the 2000s, alternative hip hop reattained its place within the mainstream due to the declining commercial viability of gangsta rap as well as the crossover success of artists such as Outkast and Kanye West . The alternative hip hop movement has expanded beyond
1189-427: The mid-1990s, independent record labels such as Rawkus Records , Rhymesayers , Anticon , Stones Throw and Definitive Jux have experienced lesser mainstream success with alternative rap acts such as Jurassic 5 , Little Brother , Talib Kweli , MF Doom , Atmosphere , Antipop Consortium , Mos Def , Doomtree , Pharoahe Monch , El-P , Quasimoto , Living Legends , Cyne , Blue Scholars , and Aesop Rock . In
1230-550: The music we're presenting. Whether it's done on a laptop or on an amp and a guitar, I just want to find something new—that's what alternative is supposed to be." While some groups achieved commercial success, most alternative rap acts tended to be embraced largely by alternative rock listeners and indie music fans rather than hip-hop or pop audiences. Artists receive limited exposure through commercial radio and other media outlets and primarily rely on campus radio and various independent media channels. Alternative hip hop
1271-433: The outcome of the sales competition with altering the direction of hip hop and paving the way for new rappers who did not follow the hardcore - gangster mold, writing, "If there was ever a watershed moment to indicate hip hop's changing direction, it may have come when 50 Cent competed with Kanye in 2007 to see whose album would claim superior sales. 50 lost handily, and it was made clear that excellent song crafting trumped
The Knux - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-427: The recipient of multiple accolades; at the 49th Grammy Awards , they won the awards for Best Urban/Alternative Performance and Best Alternative Music Album . Industry observers view the 2007 sales competition between Kanye West's Graduation and 50 Cent 's Curtis as a turning point for hip hop. West emerged the victor, selling nearly a million copies in the first week alone. Ben Detrick of XXL credited
1353-538: The records as ambitiously innovative but playful masterpieces, hailing the artists as the future of hip hop music as a whole. Contrary to alternative rock , which went on to become a mainstay in mainstream music and replaced the glam metal of the previous generation as the most popular form of rock music, alternative hip hop's commercial momentum was impeded by the then also newly emerging, significantly harder-edged West Coast gangsta rap . With its aggressive tone, nihilistic tendencies, and violent imagery, gangsta rap
1394-635: The same interest in marching band , where they honed their playing prowess, the two ran in different circles in high school. Joey cites Nas ' second album It Was Written (1996) as the first rap album that he really listened to. Joey has credited the Gravediggaz second album The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (1997) as the album that brought them together: "I bought that tape and we'd just sit around after school listening to it all afternoon." Within
1435-529: The single charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom, where it became the best-selling single of 2006. The song was named the best song of 2006 by both Rolling Stone and the Village Voice 's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll. Rolling Stone later ranked "Crazy" as the number-one song of the decade. The song has been certified double platinum by RIAA. The duo were
1476-463: The song "She's So Up", which was later officially released on March 1 and serves as the album's first single. On July 12, 2011, The Knux released their second single, titled "Run", which features American recording artist Kid Cudi . Unlike their previous effort, Eraser included guest appearances from artists such as Natalia Kills , Jack Davey, Blake Miller and Kid Cudi . The album was released on September 27, 2011. On July 27, 2012, The Knux released
1517-534: The subgenre was a failure. A commercial breakthrough came about in the late 1990s with the rejuvenated interest in indie music by the general public due to the mainstream success of acts like The Fugees and Arrested Development , while acts such as Slum Village , Common , and the Roots were rising to prominence. The Fugees saw huge critical and commercial success with the release of their second album, The Score , in 1996. The album peaked at number one on
1558-470: The title of their second album to be Eraser , due to them wanting to reshape their image: "With this album, we want to take those preconceived notions and shatter and erase them" said eldest brother Krispy. The album was initially to be released on June 21, 2011, but was pushed back to September. They recorded the album with Robert Orton who has handled production duties on Police and Lady Gaga albums. On February 9, 2011, Consequence of Sound posted
1599-424: Was "too intelligent" for their target audience. The network was subsequently satirized by the animated series The Boondocks – which regularly features underground/alternative rap as background music – in the banned episode " The Hunger Strike ". The episode, which portrayed BET as an evil organization dedicated to the self-genocidal mission of eradicating black people through violent, overtly sexual programming,
1640-462: Was banned by Cartoon Network and has yet to be aired in the United States. The alternative hip hop movement is not limited solely to the United States, as genre-defying rappers such as Somali -Canadian poet K'naan and British artist M.I.A. have achieved worldwide recognition. K'naan's 2009 single " Wavin' Flag " reached number two on the Canadian Hot 100 while its various remixes topped
1681-462: Was considered to be the more entertaining, more lucrative subgenre as signified by the high chart placings, radio success and multiplatinum -selling records of gangsta rappers such as Snoop Dogg , Warren G and N.W.A , who were widely embraced by major record labels and produced a legion of imitators. Albums such as Straight Outta Compton , The Chronic and Doggystyle redefined the direction of hip hop, which resulted in lyricism concerning