The Internet/Nicky Davey/Marcus Alan Ward

Back in 2008, Syd the Kid and Matt Martians met each on MySpace. They struck up a friendship that carried over into Odd Future, an influential L.A.-based hip-hop group that included rappers such as Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. “He turned me on to good music, bands likes Of Montreal,” says Syd the Kid. “He was from Atlanta and his taste was more Atlanta-based. He grew up on Outkast while I grew up on neo-soul.” The two split from the group to form the Internet, a group that draws equally from jazz, soul and hip-hop. Ego Death, the band’s new album, features guest appearances from the likes of Janelle Monae, Tyler, the Creator, and Vic Mensa.As it’s put in a press release, the album connects the dots between Digable Planets and Erykah Badu’s Baduizm. “We wanted the album to be more punk rock and have more of an edge to it,” she says. “I picked up instrumentals that have more edge to it.” (Niesel)