One to Watch: The Lyricists

She's So New York reintroduces their "One to Watch," our weekly music spotlight series with "The Lyricists." While not New York based, SSNY can make the exception, especially after hearing their single "Come On," - why NOT feature this Detroit based duo?

In a climate of an over saturated Hip-Hop market and “dumbed-down” content, The Lyricists are a group that champions the creativity and originality it takes to be artists in the Hip-Hop movement, not just a couple of grandiose rappers.

They have shared the stage with Rahzel, The Executioners, J-Rocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies, Camp Lo, Cappadonna and Killa Priest of the Wu Tang Clan, Proof, Slum Village, One Be Low, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Soul Position and many others and are now ready to bring their energy and chemistry to a stage near you.

Jewan Reed a.k.a. Rym-B, a native Detroiter, and Robert “Scooter” Johnson a.k.a. Illtone a native of Port Huron, MI, are your quintessential, in the truest definition of the word, emcees for the group. Class and quality being their watchword, their strong stage presence, witty lyrics and adept delivery make them the one-two punch combo that provides both a wildly entertaining stage show and superior lyrical content on albums.

Hailing from the city of Port Huron, Michigan, a city at the end of Detroit’s “Automation Alley” with a population of just over 32,000, this dynamic duo crafts a sound that not only embodies the true-school elements of Hip-Hop, but also keeps pace with the cutting edge of what lyrical virtuosos ought to be. The Lyricists, a name very appropriate in defining their style.

Beginning with their debut album “Outta Nowhere” (2000) The Lyricists have dropped three LPs, an EP and a mixtape. They are currently and tirelessly performing a full schedule of live shows while concurrently working on two additional EPs with two separate producers. Somehow, despite their already grueling schedule, they also make it a point to keep the freshness coming by dropping a mixtape before the release of each EP. Their most recent project the “Constructicons Mixtape” is due out early Summer 2010.
The Lyricists sophomore effort, “Anti-Industry” (2003) was their opposition to the virtual machine that controls the commercial hip-Hop scene.

 While it may have seemed like foreshadowing at the time, this concept still rings true today. Their third album “L3” (2005), short for Level 3, symbolized their third effort of professional production together and their motivation to always elevate as artists. “Get Heard or Die Tryin” (2007) was the first of what will prove to be a number of mixtapes used to quench their fans thirst for more material. The project being 25 tracks featured more than a dozen guest emcees and several guest producers. Using social networking and live performance contacts, The Lyricists were receiving instrumental tracks from all over the globe to make the mixtape. The first of their 3 installments of EPs was released in 2009, titled: “Transmittin’ Live” it was the first release under a label.The album was received and reviewed well by several different media outlets including okayplayer.com and Real Detroit Magazine which review it as one of the top 10 Detroit Hip-Hop albums of 2009.


The Lyricists - Transmittin Live

The Lyricists’ music can be heard and/or purchased at various places on the net to include: smoothbeats.com, vinylexchange.com, thelyricists.net, myspace.com/thelyricists, amazon.com, cdbaby.com and iTunes.com.

Wanna be featured in our "One to Watch," series? Send us your bio, pics, and music to besonewyork@gmail.com!