As Hip Hop attempts to regain its definition, fans have already defined it with Southern California trio, Pac Div. The group consists of brothers, Like and Mibbs, along with longtime friend BeYoung. The three came together in high school. While new talents strayed towards microwave music that trades quantity for quality, Pac Div crafted an original sound timeless sound influenced by the golden era of hip hop.
In 2006, Pac Div released a thematic mix tape. The tracks chronicled day-jobs, trying to appeal to the fairer sex without fat pockets, restoring a Black presence in Hip Hop, and carefully coifed wardrobes amidst the pursuit of glory. The results were jarring, the unsigned group landed on the pages of many magazines, Vapors, Urb, Source, XXL, Billboard, Rolling Stones, and 944 Magazine. As well as a large internet presence followed.
During the course of the group’s development, Hip Hop superstars began to notice. With Myspace love alone, Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes reached out to affirm that Pac Div is making innovative and fun music. After that, a chance meeting with The Roots’ Questlove in a Los Angeles record store led to a passed demo – which shockingly then led to the drummer personally calling the group to also extend support. In Addition to Snoop Dogg shouting out on one of his songs, the group received approval from Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Ludacris. Rather than crutch these endorsements on album covers and Myspace banners, the trio matter-of-factly reminded fans that this was no overnight success.
Offers from major labels followed, the group found a home with Universal Motown Records and readying for their debut release, Grown Kid Syndrome late 2009. The album delightfully forgets the tangents rap music has taken in the mainstream and simply affirms that good music is timeless. Pac Div is crafting their album are focused on making sure their live show is well…live. The group has toured domestically and internationally with heavy hitters and tastemakers alike, Nas, Q-tip, Busta Rhymes, ICE- T, and Ludacris.
California Hip Hop is restructuring in the second half of the ’00. Styles, faces, and crews may change, these three young men remind us that it is, was, and forever will be the Pacific Division.
Pac Div is currently finishing their album and will be making appearances at SXSW opening for The Roots in April. They are managed by Christopher Watkins for Ch’rewd Management and booking agent: Cara Lewis (Domestic & Canada) – The William Morris Agency.
