Down 2 Earth is a new trio hailing from Oakland, California, consisting of HBK Gang artist/producer Azure and CaliMade collective members Clyde Shankle and Dayvid Michael. The rap pack presents music reminiscent of the West Coast sounds by household names like Hieroglyphics and Zion I. Down 2 Earth’s goal is “to preserve Bay Area music, specifically alternative Hip Hop that a handful of groups in the Bay Area started decades ago.”
Their break as a group came when appearing together on IAMSU!’s well-received Kilt IIDeluxe Edition on the bonus track appropriately titled “Down 2 Earth.” As Down 2 Earth puts it, “you don’t always want to hear some semi-conscious nigga preaching at you from the inside of your speakers. Nine times out of ten, people just want a good vibe, & that’s where we come in.”
From Radiohead to Parliament Funkadelic, Down 2 Earth takes influence from a diverse range of artists to vibe out soul-oriented tunes. De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, Jill Scott, Hieroglyphics, and Digital Underground are among their biggest influences apparent in their work. Down 2 Earth is evolving the art of collaborative rap, establishing their artistry and making a fresh style all their own.
Peep their newest music video for “DNA,” directed by Adrian Per and Down 2 Earth. Let yus know your thoughts below.
