The hip-hop trio Artifacts, comprised of MCs El Da Sensei, Tame One, and DJ KAOS, were described by Vibe's Christian Ex as, "decidedly geared toward the elusive chimera that is Hip-Hop Purist." Based in Newark, NJ, the trio is noted for verbal stamina, memorable rhymes, and eschewing traditional gangsta rap. The Source's Durwin Chow described the group's music as, "antagonistic freestyle barrages centered around infectiously simple yet assuaging choruses." In an interview with Rigoberto Morales of The Source, El Da Sensei described why the band was content being labeled "underground" in the realm of hip-hop. He said, "If it wasn't for groups like us, Beatnuts, Common, Organized, or the Roots ... There wouldn't be any underground, nothing secondary to run to... where else would you go? It's also a place where you start, and start over."
Disbanding after their sophomore album, "That's Them", the Artifacts have recently reunited and have been once again performing across the US to hungry and deserving fans. SXSW goers can expect nothing less than 110% beats rhymes and life from these Hip hop legends.
