“The eight members of the group were a high-energy bunch, rapping with distinctive Texas twang and pogo dancing nonstop.â â The New York Times
âA goddamn typhoon onstage.â â Houston Press
âEight immensely capable lyricists, all of whom bring a unique perspective, voice, and level of vigor to the stageâ â Austin Chronicle cover story
ââŠwhat promises to be a defining group in Texas rap history: The League of Extraordinary Gz.â- DJ Booth
Today, Noisey presents the opening track from League of Extraordinary Gz debut album #LeagueShit. Produced by The League’s own Reggie Coby, “I’m Alive” features Grammy Award-winning Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma, providing buzzing, blaring horns over a whirring hi-hat instrumental. The song is a tribute to late League member Octavis “Esbe Da 6th Street Bully” Berry with a hypnotizing hook that goes “We ain’t supposed to make it past 25 / I’m still here, are you surprised?/ My brother dead, bitch, but I’m alive!”
The production on “I’m Alive” was the last that Coby got to play for Esbe, who passed away due to a pulmonary embolism two years ago. “We wanted to remind people about how precious life is. Every second youâre above ground is a win,” the producer explains. “Also, we wanted to deliver a message to people that although we lost our brother, it didn’t mean we were going to quit. We’re going to continue to grind more than ever and carry on his legacy he left through our music.” The debut album #LeagueShit is available now on iTunes.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120883869″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]Check out the Noisey premiere:Â http://noisey.vice.com/blog/league-of-extraordinary-gz-grupo-fantasma-im-alive
Listen to “I’m Alive”:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/im-alive-feat-grupo-fantasma
Preview and purchase #LeagueShit on iTunes:Â https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/leagueshit/id708663564
Check out the album stream via DJ Booth:Â http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/loegz-leagueshit
Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with League Of Extraordinary Gz.
When Austin, Texas, reality rap collective League of Extraordinary Gz recorded âWe Gone Make Itâ in spring 2010, Octavis âEsbe Da 6th Street Bullyâ Berry stepped in the booth and yelled two words: âLeague Shit!â. Three years later, it has become an emphatic anthem, brand and title. The Bullyâs vision formed in 2009 when his choice of 8 members and 3 groups with their own budding local buzz â Dred Skott, Da COD and Southbound â sat in a driveway plotting a collaborative mixtape. In 2010 they debuted locally, played the SXSW Music Festival and Fun Fun Fun Fest and were featured on MTV Jamsâ Texas All-Star Edition. In 2011 they rocked over 60 shows, including a West Coast tour with Jackie Chain for their Concealed Weapons 3 mixtape, and a national tour with Dead Prez. Then, in October 2011, The Bully passed away suddenly due to a pulmonary embolism. As 2011 ended, the LOEGz were named one of Sonicbidsâ Top 5 Hip Hop acts, and they released The Plug EP. All of this came from a collective effort by 3 groups in 3 years via the foresight of a now-absent leader. All anticipation, questions or doubt after a few spins of The Plug EP will be quenched with their debut album #LeagueShit. Clearly rooted in traditional hip hop, #LeagueShit includes stout musicality and wildly free speech featuring Dead Prez, Bavu Blakes, Grupo Fantasma, and Slim Gravy of A.Dd+.
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“I’m Alive”:
“Let’s Go”:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/lets-go-feat-devin-the-dude
“Intercourse”:Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmlTalxye2Y
“Grind” (Prod. By Statik Selektah):Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/grind-prod-by-statik-selektah/
“Still Bigger” Ft. Dead Prez:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/still-bigger-feat-dead-prez/
“Maybe She’s Right”:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/maybe-shes-right
“Intercourse”:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/intercourse-featuring-slim/
“4$ Blues”:Â https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/4-blues/s-jNFfq
“Attitude”:Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnLbnYZKgc