Sputnik Brown is like the Galapagos Islands of Hip Hop. Just as scientists flocked to that island to study endemic species…B-Boys and Girls will undoubtedly flock to Sputnik Brown to see the results of hip hop’s undiluted evolution. Though rap is now ubiquitous (cosmopolitan distribution), at the Sputnik enclave, the music has developed vis-à-vis artistic vision as opposed to market pressures from both record labels and audiences. The group’s album, Three Shades of Black is akin to one of Darwin’s tortoises…unique, untampered with and a natural representation of environment.

Comprised of six distinct talents, the crew spans across both state and continental boundaries. Representing Brooklyn, Long Island, D.C., and Japan the diverse backgrounds find unity through music and a dedication to the preservation of tradition and creativity.

The four MC’s – Oxygen, Xis10s (existence), Slim, and Howard Lloyd, display incredible range and handle typical NYC braggadocio (“I got the looks, the smarts and got that wealth/f**k the world God’s gift to his cotdamn self”) and more sensitive topics (“some days I just stare at my hands/and try to figure out why I’m still considered 3/5’s of a man”) with equal zeal, wit and earnestly. All the bases get covered from slick metaphors and heartfelt sincerity, to fluent flows and out and out lyricism.

Beat maestros E tha 5th and Howard Lloyd provide hard-hitting dark soundscapes for the EMCEES to exploit. Schooled in the true school essence of hip hop, “E” describes the sound as “dusty but digital”. The two utilize Emu Sp1200 and Akai MPC samplers and sample from vinyl. “Vinyl just has a thick warm sound to it. For people who grew up on it…it’s just different. It captures the emotion better,” says Howard Lloyd. “Plus we have three diggers in the crew,” adds Oxygen. Ox is well respected in the international diggin’ community and between him, “E” and H Lloyd they own thousands of rare funk, soul and break nuggets.

As Chairman Mao said in a recent XXL article, the Sputnik Brown members have paid “401k type dues” on the underground scene. Oxygen released the ultra rare classic JonShaft the psychopath 12” on Larhon Records. Xis10s and H Lloyd were both members of mid-90s group the “House of Reps” and released a highly sought after 12” on H.O.R. records. The two also later dropped the critically acclaimed and sued out of existence “Hip Hop for Dummies” as DCNY. E tha 5th has been honing his craft since the early 90s and along with Slim formed New Speak. Slim was also part of the acclaimed underground collective, “Dead Poets Society”. DJ Shark is one of Japan’s premier Djs.

It could be said with the pedigree they possess, nothing less than a classic would suffice. The group agrees. “5th has obsessive compulsive disorder. He makes sure everything is exactly how it should be…beats on point…lyrics on point…plus we are very competitive amongst each other,” says Xis10s, “and if I hear Slim spit heat I know I gotta come wit it.” Howard Lloyd adds, “And me and E have beat battles every Friday. That’s our process. Come up with a beat…send it out via email. Whatever sticks writing wise sticks and we keep it.”

Evolution