Backwoodz Studioz ShrapKnel are: Curly Castro and PremRock, the formal pairing of two longtime friends and artistic collaborators. Although they have known each other for many years, it was a shared affinity for MC-slash-producer ELUCID’s beats that sparked the ShrapKnel project. Although the two rappers have long been part of Philly’s Wrecking Crew, ShrapKnel is a pared-down affair; sharp knives in tight spaces. “I found a discarded desk in my backyard, cleaned it off and positioned it in the only area that catches sun from 10AM- Noon. I would start my days there trying to ween myself off all the screens in my life and read and write instead” PremRock explains, “on the second morning with this new desk I made the connection that I had ELUCID beats and so did Castro. Why not make it a record?” Castro agreed and over the months that followed the two rappers built this album from the ground up, later recruiting another Backwoodz-affiliated producer Willie Green, to spice up their simmering stew. The result is an album brimming with quotables and audacious, unothodox production, veritably begging for soundclash speakers and an airhorn.

Araless is an emcee, producer, and singer/songwriter based out of the Pacific Northwest. He's the co-founder of the beat collective Filthy Fingers United and the artist collective Black Magic Noize. He's as eclectic in his output as his styles. When he raps, it's a measured chaos, and when he sings, it's a soulful croon.

Mars Kumari captures the grief and grit of loss we all feel now, haunted as we are by what was here and is now missing.