Brad Knutson

Four years after his legendary solo debut "Fantastic Damage," indie hip-hop fans are reveling in the return of El-P, who finally re-emerged from the studio this year with a brand-new album titled "I'll Sleep When You're Dead." After almost single-handedly putting underground hip-hop on the map in the late nineties with his groundbreaking group Company Flow, and later achieving even greater iconic status in the new millennium as a solo artist and head of his own highly successful and influential record label, Definitive Jux, the expectations surrounding this long-awaited sophomore effort were enormous to say the least. However, of little surprise to his legions of devoted fans, it seems as if the man who calls himself El-Producto has delivered yet again.

"It's been insane...the best response I've ever had," El-P says about the reaction to the new material on his current tour. "Although, it's been eerie, because really from the first show--I guess this is a testament to the power of downloading--everyone knew all the words already." In addition to selling out more venues than he ever has before, El-P also managed to sell more records in the first week of a release at his label than ever before--no small feat considering all those people who had obviously found the new tracks on the Internet first.

With his trademark dense, textured production and a mantra like "I'll Sleep When You're Dead," there's no doubt that he puts a lot of effort into his music, and even if you don't like his records, the last thing you could ever accuse El-P of is phoning in a lyric or a performance. Undoubtedly, it's this relentless work ethic and genuine passion for his art that has kept fans coming back to him for more than ten years, while that hyped new artist that you're hearing on Power 92 FM twenty times a day will be forgotten in three months.

"I do believe that if I put a good product out there, I make a beautiful package--something that people will want to own--then they will buy it," he says. Not surprisingly, El-P doesn't share the traditional corporate view that bootlegged MP3s are the sole cause for the record industry's current woes. On the contrary, he puts as much of the blame for dwindling sales on the record execs themselves. "They have ignored that they have been pumping out bullshit...no one wants to buy a piece of shit if they can get it for free," he says. "The reaction from everyone [about illegal downloading] is `arrest them!'...but how about trying to make a good record?"

El-P plays May 8 at Abbey Pub, 3420 West Grace, (773)478-4408, at 10pm. $18-$20.

(2007-05-01)

Also by Brad Knutson

Southern Exposure
Every year, nearly 1,500 bands and well over 10,000 music-industry professionals flock to the capital of the Lone Star State to participate in the annual rite of passage known as the South By Southwest Music Festival and Conference
(2007-04-03)

The Aftermath
Looking back on the Austin experience
(2007-04-03)

Old School Sessions
When most people think about the birth of hip-hop, "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, true hip-hop fans know that while Sugarhill had the first hit single, the true pioneers of the genre were DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa
(2007-01-16)

Hooked on the Groove
When a Peter Hook DJ set was first scheduled last year at Smart Bar, it definitely seemed like it was a unique one-off type of event. However, just a few months later, Hook's name showed up again on the Smart Bar bill. While the return was a bit of a surprise, at that point I don't think anyone was expecting the influential bassist for both Joy Division and dancefloor legends New Order to quit his day job. Now, however, as he returns to spin records in Joe Shanahan's basement yet again, it`s beginning to look as though we may, in fact, have to add "internationally touring DJ" to Hook's already illustrious resume
(2007-01-02)

Discovery
(2006-10-31)

Spin Control
(2006-10-31)

Spin Control
(2006-10-03)

Tip of the Week
(2006-09-19)

Spin Control
(2006-09-12)

New Joints
(2006-09-05)

Soundcheck
(2006-09-05)

Tip of the Week
(2006-08-29)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment