Biography
Brooklyn, New York is ripe with new hip-hop talent right now, and one of the latest groups to emerge from the borough is the quick-spitting, ganja-toking, enlightened duo of Flatbush natives known as The Underachievers. Comprised of rappers Issa Dash and AK, they created a buzz last year by dropping a string of compelling rap videos, including the one that recently garnered over one million YouTube views, “Herb Shuttles,” all of which impressed famed producer Flying Lotus enough to sign them to his Brainfeeder record label.
Earlier this month, The UA dropped their debut mixtape, Indigoism, a 17-track barrage showcasing their superlative, rapid-fire, tag-team rap skills, unique production ear, and interests in psychedelic drugs and spirituality. It set them apart from their local allies Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies, but also fell right in line with the powerful Beast Coast movement coming out of Brooklyn, rooted in lyricism, consciousness, and let’s not forget, dope ass beats.
In an effort to give us more insight into their music and budding rap career, Dash and AK fell through the Complex offices last week to talk about their influences in and out of hip-hop, their preference for psychedelics, how they got on FlyLo’s radar, opening up for Kendrick Lamar on New Year’s Eve, and their relationship with all the artists representing the new New York, from Joey Bada$$ to A$AP Rocky.
Plus, they broke down their debut mixtape, discussed how they’re approaching their first official Brainfeeder project, and remembered their close friend Capital STEEZ.
It’s time to get elevated and find out Who Are The Underachievers?