Usually when I hear the words "hip-hop" and "band" together I automatically assume it’ll be your typical soul/jazz/hip-hop hybrid, but with Royce (Galapagos 4) I was pleasantly proven wrong. More on the electronic tip than anything, Royce manages to capture a lush sound without sounding congested. Their heavy usage of synthesizers create an ethereal vibe, while the funky backbeat provides a level of depth that pulls them away from the "minimalist" tag line slapped on most electro hip-hop groups. They remind me a lot of the Gorillaz and, at times, Beta Band, but it’s the lyrical grit that gives them a distinct sound of their own. You can catch them for free at Quenchers where they’ll perform hits from their albums Subtleties of the Game (2003)and Tuff Love (2006). (J. Min)
