Stones Genius

2011 album from the Hip Hop contender. Roc C comes from the same fertile Oxnard hip hop proving ground that spawned Lootpack, Madlib, M.E.D., Oh No, Declaime/Dudley Perkins and DJ Romes. Long associated with trendsetting label Stones Throw, and after one solo album for them, he has fully taken control of his artistic vision with this self-released third effort. Deftly balancing his lyrically-oriented roots in the 90s backpack movement (guests Termanology, Big Pooh, Blu, Chali 2na), and a clear affinity for thick, sample-driven beats courtesy of veterans Alchemist, Madlib, Oh No and Jake One, as well as next-tapped producers Lee Bannon and Lex Luthor, Roc C has accomplished the near-impossible task of augmenting his own style/flow/songs with guest talent, while not getting overpowered by the names in the room with him.