The Green Seed’s Drapetomania Delivers Conscious Hip-Hop

The Green Seed Brings Back

“Conscious Hip-Hop”

Debut Album Streaming on SPIN

Drapetomania Officially Out July 15th
(Communicating Vessels)

“Tackling contemporary issues —and universal themes of the heart and home, the multifarious southern hip-hop crew creates a smart, infectious, 13-track LP exuding positivity and self-awareness.” – SPIN

“For folks who think the ’90s was Golden Age of hip hop, Birmingham, Alabama group The Green Seed recalls the days of De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Black Star and more.” – Brooklyn Vegan

“The album itself, entitled Drapetomania (say druh-pet-oh-may-nee-uh) promises to be a firm statement of intent for the group, who take simple beats and loops and, in the spirit of great-hip hop, aim to elevate them into new rhythmic territories.” – PopMatters

“Comparing the socially conscious four-man crew’s rhythmic and lyrical dexterity to Ghostface Killah and Kool Keith isn’t stretching too much.” – Nashville Scene

“…the music is super-serious, but they’ll have tons of fun with the lyrics. Outkast is an obvious reference, as is A Tribe Called Quest, but these guys definitely have a sound of their own.” – Detroit Metro Times

Drapetomania (pronounced druh-pet-oh-may-nee-uh) has all the gusto and urgency of a debut. Brimming with lyrics of social awareness courtesy of emcees R-Tist and C.O.M.P.L.E.T., the stabbing attacks of dynamic DJ duo FX and Jeff C, and a lush soundworld layered with rich textures and trunk-rattling beats. Drapetomania is a feast for the ears, but also a feast for the eyes thanks to the astounding artwork of enigmatic art collective EHQuestionmark.

In fact, it was EHQuestionmark who suggested the album title: Drapetomania, which is a bit of 19th century pseudoscience – the “disorder” causing a slave’s urge to flee. The idea of drapetomania inspired the eerily psychedelic minstrels that adorn the album’s artwork – which looks especially striking as an LP. With that last conceptual detail in place, Drapetomania gained extra heft as a work of art… Though none of that matters without the strong material that lives within the grooves.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Drapetomania wasn’t the product of the Dirty South rather than the blunted grit of J Dilla’s Detroit or the otherworldly productions of Lex Records. But Drapetomania is no homage – it’s a unique blend of heart, laughter, and guts. While the album often contemplates bondage – artistic, romantic, etc. – but, ultimately, it’s a soundtrack to Freedom… And whatever comes next.

The Alabama hip-hop four piece had their debut album exclusively streamed for all to hear via SPIN, who calls it “the blend of soul, laughter, and guts.” The record will be officially released Tuesday, July 15th through Communicating Vessels.