Sunnmoonsekt

SunnMoonSekt was formed in 1997 over a Garcia Vega and the thought that hiphop needed to shift away from the materialistic world of commercial rap. In that moment and with a very simple thought the two young Mcs solidified what they suspected could birth a new movement in hiphop. Girard (aka Sunn) met Moon, (aka Black Male Suspect) at Oakland Technical HighSchool in 1994. A mutual friend had introduced the two, and in a short time they were hanging out and ripping flows. Both had grown up with hip-hop as a strong influence, so it was natural for them to express themselves through the medium. Rard had been in two groups (Devious Dysfunktional and Basik Disorder) while staying with his father on the East Coast. His counterpart Moon had ripped flows with a group called Young and The Restless., so when the two met they were far from upstart Mcs. The two took their art seriously and looked to other forms of music like classical, Techno, Disco, Funk, Soul, R&B and light rock for inspiration. True to their beliefs, the duo never took their art for granted but instead honed their skills in battles and freestyle sessions when and wherever. Rard says, I knew I was an MC when I started liking my own lyrics. Moon with more bravado says, I knew I was an MC when I attempted it. Both were fueled by their goals of recognition for lyrical ability and gratification of spirit. Once the duo decided to start a group, lady luck would smile on them. By shear luck, Rard and Moon were introduced to a crew of musicians and college students who would later start MathSoundWorkShop, the groups label. Within months, a plan was adopted to release SunnMoonSekt to the public at large with newly formed MathSound as their label. Because of their birth in the underground, it was important to the two to work with an independent label which would allow them the freedom and input to express their art fully. When sample tracks from the duo's Self Titled debut hit the streets, the word spread quickly through the underground. Fan and peer response was so positive that Rard and Moon doubled their efforts to complete the remainder of the album. As production progressed, the two formalized their relationship with a group of friends and The SlumpLordz were formed (Other members include J.Jonah, Gravy, Fire Element, and Davie Doses). True to their beliefs, Rard and Moon had found like minded souls who lived and loved hip-hop. Production on the album was experimental and ideas flowed freely. Rard and Moon produced the majority of tracks on the album, with Danja and Anonymous of MathSound completing the production cirlce. All of the recordings were done in MathSound's Studio. During production, Adventures and Do The SunnMoon were released on vinyl locally and over the internet. Early word was favorable with one reviewer saying, Yo, this is real hiphop. As production on SunnMoonSekts' self titled debut closed, Rard and Moon began work on releases by the Yakuza ( a group featuring Rard and J.Jonah) and the SlumpLordz's . A limited release of SunnMoonSekt's album has been extremely well received in the underground and by fans as far away as Finland. The group has a very unique sound with note worthy lyrical content, something many have complained is lacking in more commercial hiphop. The future is bright for these would-be-altruists. They have already found success from the respect and gratification their music has brought them, so anything more would be gravy. Expect to hear more music from these hip-hop crusaders.