If you’ve caught Blackalicious on tour over the last fifteen years or so, you will have witnessed first hand the prodigious talent of Portland based rapper and singer Vursatyl. Blackalicious producer and owner of Quannum Projects Chief Xcel discovered Vursatyl’s crew ‘Livesavas’ back in the late 90’s and invited them to join him on the road to promote the Quannum Spectrum album (which featured Jurassic 5, El-P, Souls of Mischief among many others). Lifesavas went on to record two critically acclaimed albums for the label, and were named by Rolling Stone Magazine in their ‘Top Ten Artists To Watch’.

Now firmly part of the band, Vursatyl plays a major role in the Blackalicious stage show, as well as appearing on their eagerly awaited fourth album ‘Emoni’ (released summer 2015). Standing toe to toe with Gift Of Gab, surely one of the most ferociously talented MCs on the planet is no mean feat, but one which Vursatyl performs with ease.

Now 24 years into his rap career, Crooked Straights marks a brand new chapter in Vurstatyl’s story; unbelievably this is the first time he’s taken centre stage and released a solo record. Full of warm, soulful, vintage hip hop beats created largely by local Portland producers, Vursatyl provides a masterclass in the art of MCing with a record which surely cements his reputation as one of the most talented & respected rappers in the hip hop community.

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