Unknown Prophets
Encyclopedia
The Unknown Prophets, are an American Hip hop
group from Minneapolis, Minnesota
.
in Northeast, Minneapolis
, where they met and began playing music together. After high school, the duo played at the Bon Appetit in Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota
. They became the Unknown Prophets in 1997 with the release of "The Prophecy", adding DJ Willy Lose in 1998. In 2000, the Unknown Prophets released their first album, "World Premier". This album put the Prophets on the map, featuring local artists Slug
, DJ Abilities
, and Brother Ali
. After "World Premier", the group, along with other artists from N.E. Time, released "Welcome to Northeast", a two-disc album. 2003 brought two new albums from the group, "Now You Know" and "The W.E.T. Ep". 2005 brought "Summer Heat", and in 2006, the group released "The Road Less Travelled", which boosted their fame among the Twin Cities' Hip Hop
scene.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
History
Big Jess and MaD SoN are both graduates of Edison High SchoolEdison High School (Minnesota)
Thomas Alva Edison High School is the only public high school in the Northeast community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was named for American inventor Thomas Alva Edison...
in Northeast, Minneapolis
Northeast, Minneapolis
Northeast is a defined community in the U.S. city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, composed of 13 smaller neighborhoods whose street addresses end in "NE". Unofficially it also includes the neighborhoods of the University community which have "NE" addresses, and the entirety of the Old Saint Anthony...
, where they met and began playing music together. After high school, the duo played at the Bon Appetit in Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. They became the Unknown Prophets in 1997 with the release of "The Prophecy", adding DJ Willy Lose in 1998. In 2000, the Unknown Prophets released their first album, "World Premier". This album put the Prophets on the map, featuring local artists Slug
Slug (rapper)
Sean Michael Daley, better known by his stage name Slug or "'Sep Seven'", is an American rapper. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Slug is best known as one fourth of the hip hop group Atmosphere, which he founded with Derek Turner...
, DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities is a Minnesota-based hip-hop DJ affiliated with Rhymesayers Entertainment. With his emcee partner, the late Eyedea, he formed the group known as Eyedea & Abilities, also known as E&A...
, and Brother Ali
Brother Ali
Ali Newman , better known by the stage name Brother Ali, is an American hip hop artist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.-Personal life:...
. After "World Premier", the group, along with other artists from N.E. Time, released "Welcome to Northeast", a two-disc album. 2003 brought two new albums from the group, "Now You Know" and "The W.E.T. Ep". 2005 brought "Summer Heat", and in 2006, the group released "The Road Less Travelled", which boosted their fame among the Twin Cities' Hip Hop
Twin Cities hip hop
Twin Cities hip hop is hip-hop or rap music that originates from the Twin Cities metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Pre-1996:A strictly subterranean hip hop culture in the Twin Cities existed as early as 1981. Similar to the development of hip hop in the South Bronx, Twin Cities rap...
scene.
Musical style
The Prophets' lyrics are thought provoking and deep, while the production often uses strings and orchestra in songs, making them stand out.Discography
- 1997: The Prophecy
- 2000: World PremierWorld Premier (album)World Premier is a 2002 album by Unknown Prophets.-Track listing:#"A Lil' Q&A"#"Ready"#"World Premier"#"The Wrong Route f/ DJ Abilities"#"Without my existence f/ Brother Ali#"The Robbery"#"This One"#"Take it There"#"Human"#"With Who?"...
- 2003: Now You Know
- 2003: The W.E.T. EpThe W.E.T. Ep (album)The W.E.T. Ep is the first EP by Unknown Prophets. It was released on August 1, 2003 by their label N.E. Time Entertainment.-Track listing:#"Warning" - 4:02#"Look At Us Now" - 3:57#"Don't Expect You 2 Understand" - 3:59#"Beat Generation" - 1:30...
- 2004: Summer HeatSummer Heat (album)Summer Heat is a 2005 remix album by Unknown Prophets.-Track listing:#"Summer Heat" - 4:47#"Summer Heat " - 3:50#"Summer Heat " - 4:04# "All I Know- Big Jess" - 4:16#"All I Know- Big Jess " - 4:16...
- 2006: The Road Less Travelled
- 2009: Le System D
- 2011: World Premier 2