The Natives/Young Troubled Minds/Dom Alkatraz/Tre Smith/Will Rogers/Mlattz Gunz on My Dick

A group that describes itself as “exotic hip-hop” is sure to make you furrow your brow and question the band's approach. And the Natives have done just that. Their music includes traditional hip-hop, psychedelic music and even a little blues and reggae. They were named one of Scene’s “Bands to Watch in 2014” and placed second at Tri-C’s annual Rock Off that year. On their album Bring Down Babylon, tracks like “Pacific Heights” feature a sound similar to the Expendables while “Constellations” has psychedelic instrumentals and vocals reminiscent of early Beck. They play with other local bands like Young Troubled minds (current new age rap — think Chance the Rapper), Dom Alkatraz (older sounds and beats, like Logic), Tre Smith (Chopped and Screwed versions of popular songs and original hip-hop/EDM beats) and Mlattz Gunzonmydick (EDM/dirty dubstep remixes of popular songs). (Hannah Wintucky)