The Procussions

Underground rap group the Procussions formed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1998. The original lineup consisted of <a href="spotify:artist:0r9XuUo5aHtAEZiWsOA0wT">Mr. J. Medeiros</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:35mEzAsFbM7OOTzFyjTgeU">Stro Elliot</a> (aka Stro the 89th Key), Resonant (aka Rez), Qq, and Vise Versa. Early on, Qq left the group after he collapsed during a performance and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Once the group gained traction with the singles "All That It Takes" and "Leave Her Alone," as well as high-profile opening slots for the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:3CQIn7N5CuRDP8wEI7FiDA">Run-D.M.C.</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:2GHclqNVjqGuiE5mA7BEoc">Common</a>, they moved to Los Angeles. Vise Versa left shortly thereafter to form Deux Process.

The remaining trio released the first Procussions album, ...As Iron Sharpens Iron, on the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Basementalism%22">Basementalism</a> label in 2003. Up All Night, a session recorded with <a href="spotify:artist:5qV4l2dMa9iMBoc4z3tAZ0">the Sound Providers</a>' Jason Skills, followed on Japan's <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%223D%22">3D</a> in 2004. They signed with the rejuvenated <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Rawkus%22">Rawkus</a> label for 2006's 5 Sparrows for 2 Cents. Rez subsequently departed to concentrate on graphic and Web design, while <a href="spotify:artist:0r9XuUo5aHtAEZiWsOA0wT">Medeiros</a> released his own Of Gods and Girls (2007). The group split in 2008, but <a href="spotify:artist:0r9XuUo5aHtAEZiWsOA0wT">Mr. J.</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:35mEzAsFbM7OOTzFyjTgeU">Stro</a> remained active and continued to work with one another, as heard on <a href="spotify:artist:0r9XuUo5aHtAEZiWsOA0wT">Medeiros</a>' Friends Enemies Apples Apples (2009), Saudade (2011), and the A-side "Pale Blue Dot" (2012).

In 2012, <a href="spotify:artist:0r9XuUo5aHtAEZiWsOA0wT">Medeiros</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:35mEzAsFbM7OOTzFyjTgeU">Stro</a> reunited as the Procussions for a show in Colorado and then recorded an album with support from a successful Indiegogo campaign. The following April, the album was released to the duo's financial supporters, while a five-track teaser EP was offered to the general public. Five months later, the full self-released album was available to everyone. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi