With Soundset ’09 right around the corner, the Twin Cities hip hop scene is in the spotlight more than usual. Late Spring and early Summer will see the release of three highly-anticipated hip hop albums.

Big Quarters From the Home of Brown Babies & White Mothers

While everyone knows that BQ puts out some of the most well-produced music in the Twin Cities hip hop scene—dusty loops, head-nodding grooves and drums that would make Primo and Pete Rock crack knowing smiles, brothers Zach and Brandon are also two of the most unique lyricists in the scene. Less about crowd-pleasing platitudes and monster punchlines and more about subtle wit and informed politics, Big Quarters really are the total package. The new album has a bit more pop appeal than their last, but that should only serve to make new fans while still satisfying old ones. Tracks like “Barter System” and the Mux Mool-produced “Ladies Know” are perfect summer jams, while some of the darker songs continue the sound that made “Cost of Living” a local classic.

While the album came out on Cinco de Mayo, the release party will be held May 23 at the Triple Rock w/ Kill the Vultures, Mankwe Ndosi, Alissa Paris, Noam the Drummer, DJ Todda and Benzilla; hosted by New MC; 18+.

Big Quarters “Barter System” (mp3)

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Maria Isa Street Politics

If you’ve caught Maria Isa’s live show, you’ve experienced a sound that can really only be described as “big.” Big voice, big band, big ambitions. All of this is showcased on Street Politics, as Maria Isa captures some of the electricity of her live shows, backed by producers Ganzobean, Stephen Helvig and the Maria Isa band. While it’d be easy for an artist as talented as Maria Isa (both as a singer and as an emcee) to simply make fun party songs (and she does, on tracks like “Afterparty”) or urban radio-ready love songs (and she does, on tracks like “Never Let Go”), she takes the title of her album seriously: songs like “Image” and the title track display not only a keen awareness of the problems facing this country, but a burning desire to actually do something about them. That kind of unabashed, anthemic sincerity isn’t really en vogue these days, but Maria Isa might be able to change that.

Street Politics will be officially released on June 5 at First Ave, w/ I Self Devine, Kill the Vultures, Mayda, Dance Band, St. Paul Slim, DJ Wrek and DJ Turtleneck; hosted by Muja Messiah; 18+.

Maria Isa “Street Politics” (mp3)

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Toki Wright A Different Mirror

People who don’t know any better might call Toki Wright Brother Ali’s hypeman, but that’s kind of a shame. He’s a long-time Twin Cities community activist, integral part of Yo! The Movement, and a beast of an emcee on top of all that. As a solo artist and as a member of the C.O.R.E. and the Chosen Few, Wright has been one of the most prolific, well-respected and flat-out talented artists in the TC music scene for years. A Different Mirror will be released by Rhymesayers as the first in the RSE Spotlight Series, a “series of releases geared towards shining light on some much deserved up-and-coming independent artists.” That’s quite a cosign, though Wright’s material is strong enough to succeed without it. Leaked tracks “State of Emergency” and “Next Best Thing” display some thoroughly vicious mic-ripping, whether talking politics, hip hop, or their intersections.

While the album will be released on June 9, the release party is June 26 at the 7th St. Entry w/ Black Blondie, DJ Snuggles, Longshot, Abstract Rude, Jimmy 2 Times and DJ Verb X; hosted by Brother Ali and Adonis; 18+.

Toki Wright “Next Best Thing” (mp3)

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