After the Hyphy movement of the mid 2000s that had everyone shaking dreads and "going stupid", there is a new dark sound gaining momentum in the streets of Oakland. Instead of making people "Go Dumb," the rapper EQ is opening the eyes and ears of real hip-hop heads.
The 24 year-old Oakland native, who has been approached by a number of major recording artists and executives has remained relatively unknown to the public. But the iTunes release of EQ's first single, "Big Brother," from his Forth-coming EP, has created a buzz with the conscious and the cool.
Raised on the North Side of the nation's 5th most dangerous city, EQ grew up the youngest of three brothers. Along with the sounds of the blocks of inner-city Oakland, EQ grew up studying the rich music recordings he heard coming from his brothers' boombox and the chords of his mother's piano. Artists like Anita Baker and Sade showed the young EQ that music should be beautiful, while 213, Dr. Dre, E-40, 2pac, Nas, and OutKast taught him that music should be honest. Like his influences, today EQ is a blend of the real and the relevant.
A rapper from the age of 9, EQ also grew up alongside longtime friend and fellow MC, DWillz. During their teenage years, the two were a part of the hip-hop group BBT, touring the country and sharpening their skills. After touring, EQ took some time to get even deeper into the music by studying and becoming an engineer. While never abandoning his rap roots, EQ continued to develop as a lyricist. Today, his flow is versatile, combining the lyrical and graphic, while being contemplative and intellectual.
EQ is a throwback to real lyricism, while bringing a fresh new approach to the rap game. It's dark. It's real. It's tomorrow. It's classic. It's the future of rap. And if you haven't heard EQ, you haven't been listening.