Press Release :
HYDROPONIC SOUND SYSTEM is the music collective spearheaded by production team SKIN and RUBE; and on their new full length CD Mixtape Mentality they've incorporated elements of Hip-Hop, Funk & Soul, and Dancefloor Jazz into a stream of consciousness boogie assault that flows with the flavor of a mixtape. The beats are geared heavily towards movin' bodies and they come endorsed with the stamp of approval from legends like ERYKAH BADU, PHIFE from A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, and BOBBITO GARCIA – who all bless the CD with their vocal shout-outs. HYDROPONIC SOUND SYSTEM most frequently features the vocal acrobatics of MC's BAVU BLAKES and HEADKRACK – who are get their shine on all over the CD. BLAKES, dubbed "one of Texas' brightest new stars" by legendary rapper THE D.O.C. (who also lends a drop to the CD) , has been reading and writing since he was three years old, writing poetry since he was five and rhyming publicly since he first moved a crowd at his seventh grade talent show. His verbal dexterity and pleasing baritone marry effortlessly with HYDRO's “dusted eclectic" sound. BLAKES is a fixture on the Texas scene getting love from artists ranging from BUN B and PAUL WALL to THE STRANGE FRUIT PROJECT and BERNIE WORELL. HEADKRACK is the epitome of the true school lyricist and he's flipped his reputation as an elite MC into numerous fields including radio show host, touring act (with WYCLEF JEAN from THE FUGEES), and battle-tested rapper (2nd place in 1999 Blaze Battle Championships). HEADKRACK has recorded collaborations with Platinum recording artist LIL FLIP, CRAIG G, DAVE from DE LA SOUL and Old School pioneer MIKE D from the JUNGLE BROTHERS. Other guest appearances include STEVE AUSTIN (recently signed to Universal), MYONE from THE STRANGE FRUIT PROJECT, TAHITI and CHUCK SLY from the ALMIGHTY INTERNATIONAL FREE AGENTS, and MES THE JIVE TURKEY (signed to MR. DIBBS label Self Core) amongst others. HYDRO runs the Alternate Take Records label and their production and remix work have included projects for JT DONALDSON, AZEEM, OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS, THE POLYPHONIC SPREE and NIKE. Releases can be found on Swedish Brandy, Bastard Jazz, icon recordings, and Bomb HipHop. HYDRO's first full length CD Routine Insanity was released through Def Jam/Universal and made several year end Top 10 Lists. XLR8R likened it to 3 Feet High & Rising and It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.