Los Angeles-based hip-hop group Move.meant began to take shape when Spider introduced longtime friend Just Beats to Sonoma State classmate Champ. They clicked instantly and after recording only a handful of songs, it was obvious they had a special chemistry. Since then, they’ve been hard at work, both in the studio and on the stage.
Few hip-hop acts have sound as strong as Move.meant. When it comes to beats, Just’s versatile production is on par with the best in the game, past and present. Champ’s distinct voice and delivery, intelligent lyrics, and blue collar sensibility set him apart from the average MC and provide direction for the crew s music. And how many groups even have a DJ member anymore, let alone one as creative and solid on the decks as Spider? Collectively, their songs posses a universal quality that makes them accessible to people from all walks of life, from black to white, young to old, underground to commercial. In fact, one listen will reveal that the music truly speaks for itself.
Move.meant also boasts an innovative live show. Just (a drummer since the age of six) plays an electronic drum kit linked to a sampler, which allows for improvisation and gives programmed beats a live feel. With no need for a hype man, Champ controls the crowd on the mic, while interacting with the audience and running through line after line without missing a beat. Spider adds the finishing touches on the turntables, tying together a seamlessly organized set.
In December 2002, Move.meant released their first single on vinyl, The Rebirth b/w Heather, followed by their debut CD, the move.meant ep, in early 2003 on their own Wax Paper Records. Both were well received by the hip-hop community and earned regular radio play and rave reviews. Their work has been licensed for various TV, film, and independent projects including CBS s Joan of Arcadia, Fuel TV, and Crash, a new, star-studded film directed by Paul Haggis. The group is set to finish 2004 strong by dropping another single on vinyl and releasing their first full length album. They’ve also aligned themselves as a part of a talented collective of up and coming artists dubbed Step Fam, which will provide an additional outlet for the crew via compilations and mix-tapes. |
