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Hip-hop was born as a medium to give kids hanging out on street corners and basement parties a way to express themselves.  It has always been about community and family, blood relatives or otherwise.  Today, artists continue to surround themselves with "family," which is usually comprised of a combination of rappers, DJ's, singers, producers, and an entourage, many of whom have known each other since childhood. This is true for multi-platinum groups like Nelly's St. Lunatics, Eminem's D12, Ja Rule's Murder Inc., as well as underground stalwarts the Tunnel Rats.  Grounded in a love for pure hip-hop and Jesus, the controversial T.R.s have developed as solo artists and various member combinations for nearly a decade under the tutelage of Christian mic vets LPG.  After years of being squandered by the industry this often misunderstood group is finally able to unleash their aggressive street-worthy, truth-telling music to the masses.  With two remarkable discs released this year, the third chapter of the Tunnel Rats story is told by original member Raphi. 

Produced by studio phenom, Dirt, Cali Quake is a fierce set of tracks set to blow speakers and engage underground hip-hoppers everywhere.  More focused than the Tunnel Rat's Uprok debut but less diverse and melodic than the follow-up by fellow T.R.s, New Breed, Cali Quake is a straight shot from a lyrical wiz. 

Tracks on Cali Quake reflect two sides to Raphi.  Movers like "Connect" and "Stop-Look-Listen" exhibit an MC hardened by freestyle battles (a common and good-natured event amongst MCs) and doubters. Executing the same curious mix of lyrical attack and evangelical fervor that has kept the Tunnel Rats in hot water over the years, Raphi stays on the offense with anyone ready to battle any market-minded MC, Christian or not, who would water down rap with poor lyricism, commercialism and materialism.  On the other side of the coin, Raphi is also a sensitive autobiographer who reveals the insecurities that keep him before the cross ("Foolin'") and personal street stories of loss and redemption ("Street Chronicles").

Diverse with giant-sized beats and rhymes that mix jazz, drum & bass, cyber-funk, R & B, and old school boom bap, Cali Quake is the next step in the Uprok / Tunnel Rat's coup of the Christian hip-hop scene. 

Antony Barr-Jeffrey 10/12/2002