Tac-town hip-hop: The south sound

With all the "urban" music KUBE-93 force-feeds the Seattle area, it is easy to forget what proper hip-hop is supposed to be. The Ja Rule and Ludacris cuts you are hearing now on your radio are an approximation of a culture that was once a revolution. The Biznautics' latest record, Look at Yourself, calls into question what stands for true hip-hop and provides a slew of hot, self-produced beats along the way.

"Our aim is to unanimously put an end to what hip-hop is supposed to be," said Biznautics emcee Direct. "And open people up to what it is, which is simply a network of creativity."

The Biznautics, from Tacoma suburb University Place, range in age from late teens to early 20s. Their sound is almost wholly self-created, with the exception of a small handful of samples. Live drums, piano, guitars, bass and strings are what set this Tacoma collective apart. Simply put, the Biznautics shine musically.

The record moves through the beat exercise "Eternia" before getting to the first key point with the title track "Look At Yourself." Its beat is based on strings recorded specifically for the record and employs pizzicato plucking to create an ill orchestral vibe. The force of the strings creates a menacing, pulsing foundation for an intense statement of purpose augmented with a gorgeous classical piano interlude.

The two most accessible songs on the album feature Lydia Dallal on vocals. "Tear it Down" and "Change" both employ hooks that would not sound out of place on your FM dial.

Previously, the Biznautics had three out of four competent lyricists only occasionally realize their vast potential. This album shows a much more consistent effort, with D-Child rising to the level of counterparts Champion J, Moffrogangus and Direct. On this album, he realizes his potential by cutting down on previous frills and focusing on delivering his metric biting style.

The piano-driven track "N. 13th and Alder" encapsulates the theme of the record, delving in to the question of what hip-hop is and is not. Champion J. asks, "Who's really fakin'?/ you 'keep it real' kids or us punks in the basement."

"Why does all the hip-hop we hear in the mainstream sound so similar?" asked Direct. "Because everybody puts that precedent down. 'You have to be real to be hip-hop' ... that phrase has nothing to do with art. [In art] all guidelines are null and void."

Hip-hop has become a quest for authenticity. Everyone wants to be perceived as the most "real." The Biznautics refreshingly move away from this.

"No one should consider what's authentic; they should consider what they do or don't identify with," said Direct. "They should understand what makes them feel good."

Look At Yourself is a very competent album that shows a group with a gigantic potential starting to realize it. The Billboard charts suggest that you are to go buy "Nellyville" or "The Eminem Show" for your summer beats. Instead, you could get some edifying music made by kids like you with something to say.