Slowly but surely, West Coast rap is becoming relevant again and Pac Div is one of the main reasons why. They caught our attention a couple months ago with the banging mixtape Church League Champions and now they have a video for one of the tape’s nicest cuts. Their signature hybrid of cool-guy lyricism and fashion-forward styling is present in this video that should keep Pac Div fans pleased and probably even get non-believers to take notice. Whichever category you fall into, starting your day off with this jam isn’t a bad idea.
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Compared to basketball, football, and baseball (and golf…and soccer…and NASCAR), ice hockey doesn’t get that much love in rap lyrics—you know: it’s cold, there’s crazy white people with masks and sticks, etc. etc. (word to Nat X). That’s why it always catches our attention when an MC drops a hockey reference in a verse. Most recently, it was the homie Mibbs from Pac Div (on “Knuckleheadz” from the group’s new Complex-co-signed mixtape) who got icey with it: “It get colder than a polar, or Ovechkin with the puck.”
The Ovie reference got us thinking about our favorite hip-hop hockey moments of the past. (Ed. note: Sorry Kardi, Saukrates, Maestro Fresh Wes, et. al.—we excluded all Canadian rappers. Y’all supposed to be talking about hockey!) So then, get your puck on and enjoy rap’s greatest lyrical nods to hockey. Skate, skate, skate, skate!
WHY COMPLEX IS CO-SIGNING IT: Two reasons, really. First off, even with their freshly inked deal with Universal Motown and forthcoming production from some of the biggest producers in the industry, this LA based trio considers themselves to be underdogs in the rap game. And they’re right. At a time when most of raps fresh faces are endorsed by the industry’s major players (Jay, Kanye, Weezy), it’s hard to see how an artist—a rap group, no less!—who’s truly standing on their own two (or six), can break into the spotlight. That’s where the second reason comes into play: these dudes make really dope music…
(Left to right): Michael “Mibbs” Stevenson, Gabe “Like” Stevenson, and Bryan “BeYoung” Young
Today, Pac Div kicks off a nationwide tour alongside Asher Roth and Kid Cudi, which times nicely with the group’s sizzling free mixtape titled Church League Champions(download it here), which dropped last week. The 13-track collection is inspired by (but not bitten from) boom-bap and the flavor of the Golden Era. The trio—which consists of Like, 26, BeYoung, 24, and Mibbs, 24—developed a fan base over the last few years with a slew of eye-catching videos (”FAT Boys ‘08″; “Women Problems”) and head-nodding singles.
Pac Div stands out because it represents that perfect balance between so-called “hipster rap” and real rap—meaning, although they rock snapbacks and streetwear brands, the group still makes the kind of music that true hip-hop heads will appreciate. It offers the vibe that Souls of Mischief and Project Blowed used to put out—cool, Cali, fun lyrical raps. “Like anything, more quantity means less quality,” BeYoung claims. “In the end of the day, good food takes longer to cook.” While in NYC, Pac Div spoke with Complex about the new breed of West Coast rappers, their upcoming album, and several personal anecdotes (from break-ups to worst job experiences). Read on for the interview and check out their latest video along with key tracks off their new mixtape…
Last night, New York City welcomed Pac Div to their first performance. The West coast trio of Mibbs, Be Young and Like took center stage, ripping through their fun-filled get-fresh anthems at the Big Apple’s underground nightclub Love. And love is what the guys got from the crowd of fans and special guests that came out in support.
So far, so good since Complex first met Pac Div. They came to New York a few months back with hopes of landing a major label deal, and they did just that, signing with Universal Records and landing co-signs from legends like Q-Tip. Before they hopped on a plane back to L.A. this morning, the group phoned in to give their reaction to their warm welcome, and briefly discuss their forthcoming debut, Grown Kids Syndrome…
