Gothic Theatre
Libretto
LIBRETTO’S DEBUT 12"
Libretto is one sixth of the Misfit Massive Crew, which includes Sly Da Brown Hornet, Dub-flex, Jumbo, Vursatyl, and Razor Shines. The later three crew members collectively make up the Lifesavas. The crew has been making a buzz for itself through constant live performances across the world, the release of records on their own label, Misfit Massive Records, and more notably thru Quannum Project’s signing of the Lifesavas.
Libretto’s style, what the crew terms as “illoet” (as in “ill-Poet”), draws from his father’s influence—an activist heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement, an Olympic coach for the US track and field team in the ‘76 and ’88 Summer Olympics, and a caring, thoughtful, and mentoring individual. These qualities all came down to Libretto intact, and flow straight from the heart. Libretto speaks thru rhyme about issues that confront and concern him… But it doesn’t stop there—Illoet isn’t just about rhymes and content, it also refers to Libretto’s flow. A flow that will bring you back to the early ’90s—which for Libretto was spent growing up in Jordan Downs
(the infamous Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles). These projects were the birthplace for the classic west coast sound, defined in the mainstream by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog. It was a sound that, for better or for worse, defined a whole new era in hip hop…
It was here in Southern California that Libretto first started rapping at the tender age of 6—rocking the mic with local DJs at roller skating rinks as well as clubs like Orange County’s The Palace, to the Hollywood Palladium. His father’s desire to remove Libretto from Watts became a reality when they relocated to Portland, Oregon in the mid nineties. It was in Portland that Libretto met up with Jumbo and the rest of The Misfit Massive Crew. In Portland Libretto continued on his quest, releasing joints on Misfit Massive Records, Jus Family Records and doing local shows. He soon found himself touring nationally on the Cali-Comm tour with the Lifesavas, Del The Funky Homosapien, People Under The Stairs, Motion Man, & Kut Masta Kurt. Libretto has also performed shows with The Beatnuts, Blackalicious, Latyrx, Lyrics Born, Dead Prez, Eydea & Ablities, Declaime, Source of Labor, labelmate Onry Ozzborn and Oldominion, and countless others. Libretto has been featured on both The Boom Bap Project, and Lifesavas new albums.
Looking forward to the new Libretto 12": Dirty Thangs and Alma Mater. Fellow crewmate and producer Jumbo wanted to create tracks that respected the foundations of hip-hop. Libretto and Jumbo have done a marvelous job and One Drop is proud to present the results.
Dirty Thangs & Alma Mater gives a sneak preview of Libretto’s forthcoming album on One Drop and showcases two ends of the spectrum that will be represented on the album.
