GOLD CERTIFIED CALIFORNIAN HIP HOP TRAILBLAZERS SOULS OF MISCHIEF LIVE IN WORTHING THIS SUMMER

1993, West Coast… Dr Dre vs Eazy-E, Snoop Doggy Dog on the rise with his debut album alongside the N.W.A don of production. Tupac with the summer release of ‘I Get Around’, but caught up in alleged gun fights and assault charges. G-funk the national conversation.

So when Souls Of Mischief came onto the scene with their funky outfits, slammin’ beats and breazy attitudes - backed with a lyrical dexterity far beyond their teenage years – a fresh hop to the bounce of the West Coast was born.

“Sometimes it gets a little hectic out there…”, Tajai exclaimed in the intro, “…But right now we gonna up you on how we just chill”.

The California quartet announced themselves with harmlessly refreshing confidence, on more of a Tribe tip with jazz-drips and groove-infused rhythms – yet lyrically more adventurous and weed-scented; more of a Pharcyde vibe with endlessly cool rhymes and multisyllabic wordplays - yet more intellectual, energetic and freestyle-ready. A funky introspection was clear to see. This was Oakland, California in 1993.

Souls, alongside their Oakland collective Hieroglyphics, are considered to be some of the most highly skilled lyricists in rap from their inception to today. The Hiero crew broke Hip Hop norms with personal, emotional rhymes rather than solely gangster-rap.

Cited as a huge influence by many artists, from A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots, to Andre 3000, Kanye West, De La Soul, Wu-Tang, Mos Def and more. The California natives have grown to be known as pioneers of independent Hip Hop.