MOD

The Anexx, San Jose, CA. M.O.D. is putting the final touches on their debut. Riff aka Sly Russ Jr. (top-right) has just finished laying his verse for the first single of the soon to be released album “Area 510”. As the engineer runs the beat back Nonaphill (bottom-left) gets ready to strap on his helmet and make some hits. “That’s him” states Riff confidently as he gets comfortable and then adds “They better get ready for this one”. “Yup.” says Nonaphill. “It’s all coming together now.” The confidence that shows in their swagger and is apparrent throughout their music is not unfounded. M.O.D. is arguably the most versatile rap group on the west coast. Years of honing their skills on the microphone combined with a strong musical upbringing is their recipe for aestetic music, a dish that is best served hot. AREA 510, the debut release from M.O.D.: Merchants Of Def, is 11 tracks (45-min in all) of strong lyrics, beats and concepts that encompass all that is Bay Area hip-hop. The Merchants show their versatility by flexing their lyrical prowess on a variety of topics and different style beats while producing most of the tracks on the album. This jumpoff also features fellow Bay Beuracrat Krypto, Young Black Brother’s Mora aka Town Statesman and production by Salim, Adrian and Indecent. The intro song “Who’s The Next...” featuring Krypto and “Emcee” make a resounding statement to suspect record labels and artists. Recognizing that there is an over-saturation of mediocre music on the market the Merchants stance is to discredit any entity that puts a premium on funds over quality music. They waste no time in showing their versatility by switching up the vibe on track 2, “Incredible”. They ride a smooth piano groove with a nice singing hook. The Merchants continue to flip styles as they rip the Bay Area geared songs “Lights Out” and “Tax-Free”. Unlike many groups in the industry both emcees have the ability to do solo songs. This is apparrent in Riff’s solo “Retribution” and Nonaphill’s song “Get’n Money”. Area 510 hits a plethra of topics from public perception and prejudice in track number 11, “In My LIfetime” to safe sex and single parenthood in track number 8, “One Sad Ballot”. They didn’t forget about the ladies either, that is apparrent with club banger “The Groove” (track 5), which is guaranteed to have those bubbles moving. And if you happen to have a lil bit bud stashed in the dash the “Indolude” is a sure-shot instant classic. The time is now. A decade of dedication and loyalty to the game is culminating in the rise of two of the most talented emcees to ever come out of the Bay. M.O.D.: Merchants of Def. Riff was born in New York, 1981. Him and his mother left New York when he was still a child and he’s been a Bay Beuracrat ever since. He waisted no time jumping in the game making his debut at 15 years of age. For the next decade Riff studied the art of traditional and hip-hop music while making cameos on mixtapes and laying songs with producers like Bedrock, Rob Lowe and Salim. As formentioned, rapping isn’t the exstint of his musical inclinaiton, Riff also makes beats. He can deliver a smooth flow and a plethra of rhyme schemes aestetically over any beat. Nonaphill has a strong musical background as well. He is familiar with the saxophone, piano, guitar and steeldrum not to mention he’s become comfortable behind the boards as well. Nonaphill was born and raised in Oakland, CA. The blood of the city runs through his veins so he is well aware of the rich history. Some of his biggest influences were Too Short and the Dangerous Crew, Dru Down, The Luniz and 3 X Crazy but as his flow suggests, Nonaphill is familiar with many styles of hip-hop. “Gumbo rap” is how he desribes his style. Complex rhyme patterns and strong lyrics combined with a commanding west coast style delivery. He has been featured on mixtapes like “Jump Off” and “Strictly For The Underground” and has recorded hundreds of songs. M.O.D. is geared up and ready to let the world in on what the Bay Area already knows. The answer to mediocre rhymes and production. The alternative to front’n emcees and crews. The end of the fake and the beginning of the real.++They are the Merchants of Def.