Bored Stiff

MySpace (listen to "State of Art," "Capricorn")
Label site
Hometown: San Francisco
Next local show: None planned
Upcoming release: From the Ground Up, 2007

Let it be known: classic hip-hop is back in the Bay Area. San Francisco crew Bored Stiff has quietly resurfaced after six years on hiatus, and brought with it the aesthetics of old-school underground rap: DJs, MCs, ample scratching, salient lyrics, and chill beats. It's all there in the group's first three new tracks since 2001's Ghetto Research -- "Spirit of Lee," "In the House," and "Maturity" -- released on a limited edition sampler that foretells the group's official return in 2007. (more >>)

Bored Stiff formed in 1992 or 1994, depending on who you ask, and released two EPs -- Explainin' and Timeless -- in addition to the full-length Ghetto Research before disbanding. Its 12 members all became involved in other projects, many releasing albums on their own, before deciding in 2006 to give it another go. The new record is due later this year (July 10) on Oakland hip-hop label Hella Records (not to be confused with Sacramento noise-rock duo Hella), the same label that released all of the group's earlier work.

Lately the hyphy movement has prevented most other forms of hip-hop from getting a decent foothold in the Bay Area, but Bored Stiff could be the band to take advantage of hyphy's decline and swing the scales in the other direction. In Seattle over the past few years, the classic hip-hop sound has enjoyed a strong resurgence through the voices and beats of groups like Blue Scholars and Common Market. Could Bored Stiff help that happen here? With Del the Funky Homosapien promising a new solo record -- also his first in seven years -- called 11th Hour later this summer, maybe 2007 will be the year hyphy gets shut out for good.

THE 12 HIP-HOPOSTLES
-That's right, Bored Stiff comprises 12 members. Behold the list: Equipto (Queezy), TD Camp, Big Shawn (B.I.), Dubstar (K-Dub), P-Way, Mint Rocky, White Mic, Jules, Liel, Priz, Ike, and Jo Jo (Jo Jigidy).